In the picture on inline cameras?

Monitoring critical plant and machinery periodically, with handheld thermal imaging cameras can result in critical incidents being missed, according to Chris Jones,md, Micro- Epsilon UK. With low cost inline cameras available from £2950, he says continuous monitoring is now affordable

Many plant and maintenance engineers are familiar with handheld thermal imagers as a non-contact, portable, relatively low cost method of preventive maintenance. These devices are generally used as patrol monitoring tools, helping engineers to locate 'hot spots' on process plant, including critical machines and equipment such as pumps, fans, motors and electrical connections - without having to interrupt production.

Manufacturers of thermal imagers are developing more compact, cost effective versions with a wide array of features and connectivity options. The latest thermal imagers are smaller, lighter, easier-to-use and ergonomically designed. However, when it comes to monitoring, controlling and managing process temperatures, engineers should familiarise themselves with the inline (fixed) non-contact temperature measurement alternatives that are now available.

One complete inline thermal imaging camera can now be supplied, with one optical lens, user configurable setup and configuration software for just £2950.

For example,Micro-Epsilon's 'thermoIMAGER' range of inline/fixed radiometric thermal imaging cameras provides temperature images and profiles of a target area. These 'plug-and-play' units come with software that enables the user to configure all the device parameters, as well as enabling the real time capture and storage of images or video of an event for slow motion play back or snapshots at a later date.

Unlike a handheld thermal imager, inline thermal imagers are fixed into position in typically a production process, where they can monitor the temperature profile of a target material or object. These cameras are well suited to process control across a wide range of industries, including plastics, packaging, machine building, FMCG, thermoforming, automotive, paper, printing, textiles, food, chemicals and pharmaceuticals and medical engineering.

Rather than supplying the inline thermal imagers with a single factory calibrated optical lens,Micro-Epsilon provides a choice of up to three interchangeable lenses (6, 23 and 48° FOV). For engineers who may be unsure of which applications they will use the device for, the three interchangeable lenses cater for every possible field of view for temperature monitoring tasks. Other features and accessories available with the thermoIMAGER range include a traceable certificate of calibration (one for each individual lens), adjustable tripod mount, carrying case, USB cables (up to 100m) and process control and analysis software.

With inline thermal imagers, the user can mount the device in almost any type of process manufacturing environment. A wide variety of mounting brackets and protective enclosures cater for almost every type of installation and allow the unit to be installed in wash-down or high temperature environments.Micro-Epsilon offers a special, high temperature thermoIMAGER version that is protected by a water-cooling jacket.

This enables the camera to be used in temperatures up to 200°C.

Patrol monitoring a process plant using relatively expensive handheld thermal imaging cameras to monitor critical plant and machinery is not a viable option for many companies. However, inline thermal imagers can be installed in a fixed position next to a critical component or part of a production line, to constantly monitor a target.

Micro-Epsilon's thermoIMAGER TIM160 is compact and lightweight and made from anodised aluminium. The camera housing measures 45 x 45 x 62mm and weighs just 250g (including lens and a 1m USB cable), enabling easy-mounting in restricted spaces.

The rugged device is protected to IP65 (NEMA-4) and is powered (5V DC) via the USB 2.0 interface, with a maximum current draw of 500mA.

The system is compatible with Windows XP/Vista, enabling easy integration of thermal imaging information with mini- PCs, rail mounted PCs and industrial embedded PCs and PLCs. A DLL is provided so that the user can export thermal imaging data from the process imager into customerspecific software.