| The
Problem: The temperature distribution of an
engine block needs to be monitored over time for various
load conditions. Thermocouples are currently being used
with over 20 temperature points needing to be measured.
The wiring has become very complicated creating extended
setup times between tests. |
| The
Solution: The AXT100 Thermal Imaging Camera
provides 981 (981 non-contact thermocouples) independent
temperature measurements over the imaging area. Since
it is a camera, the technician only needs to position
the camera to view the necessary measurement points.
For this application, temperature over time is required
and ImageJ can be used to collect a time sequence of
images and plot the temperature history of a “user
selected” region on the image. |
|
| The
Problem: A motor, critical to plant operations,
is having frequent maintenance problems. In order to
determine at what times the load is heaviest; the motor
will need to be monitored over an extended length of
time. |
| The
Solution: Unattended, the AXT100 Thermal Imager
can be used to log temperature measurements over the
motor’s surface area. All data can be collected
realtime using Ethernet. Importantly, Power over Ethernet
(PoE) was used to avoid “power cubes” using
110 VAC circumventing any potential electrical hazards.
Since temperature over time is required, ImageJ can
be used to collect the time sequence of images and plot
the temperature history for user selected regions. The
technician will then be able to determine at what times
during the day the load is heaviest and how high the
temperature is spiking. |
|
| |
Plastic
Injection Molding |
| The
Problem: A high scrap rate is occurring for
a very large injection molded part. As the robotic arm
removes the part from the mold, it is necessary to measure
the specification. |
| The
Solution: The AXT100 Thermal Imaging Camera
works with a supplied native LabVIEW driver. The driver
allows technicians to author custom LabVIEW applications.
LabVIEW will then determine if the temperature of numerous
regions of the part are within specification. If not,
LabVIEW can then use its temperature alarm limits function
to trigger a signal to an attendant or simply log the
out of specification event. |
|
| |
R&D:
Circuit Board Inspection |
| The
Problem: There is a need for design verification
of the heat dissipation for a particular electronic
component. Heat dissipation is a function of load current
and the heat sink design needs to be analyzed and documented.
|
| The
Solution: The AXT100 Thermal Imaging Camera
with Macro Lens is ideal for this application. The lens,
with its small field of view (about a 1” x 1”
patch using a 3” to 6” focus range), is
ideal for investigating the heat transfer properties
of a particular design. ImageJ can be used to capture
a sequence of images to obtain the heat transfer information
which can then be analyzed directly within ImageJ and
copied into a report.
|
|
| The
Problem: Untreated
upholstery for vehicle seats are deployed via large
nine foot wide rolls. The product must be heated evenly
before it can be treated. Uneven heating can result in
scrap product. |
| The
Solution: The AXT110 Thermal Line Camera is
well-suited for this application. The camera captures
a strip of the roll and uses thermal data in sync with
an operator's parameters to control five heating zones
underneath the product, keeping it heated consistently
and without intervention. Cascade displays pictoral
and quantitative data such that the operator may monitor
the process. |
|
| The
Problem: Plastic
bottle preforms are heated and inserted into a blow
molding mechanism that uses air pressure to fit the
preform to a specific mold. Uneven heating of the preforms
can result in weak spots throughout the final bottle. |
| The
Solution: The AXT110 Thermal Line Camera is
well-suited for this application. As the preforms move
down the line, the AXT110 can capture a strip snapshot
of each preform. Thermal variance can now be determined,
and an operator can adjust the heating process, or the
AXT110 can use closed-loop temperature control to perform
the task automatically. Cascade can capture and log
the data for later analysis. |
|
|
|
HTML
Case Studies
+
Zoom
Development of AXT thermal imaging
products start and end in the
field. The case studies below
identify problems in various industries.
The case studies include reports,
statistics, charts, even raw thermal
data that is importable into image
analysis tools like ImageJ.
AXT
thermal imaging products solve
real problems by enabling engineers
and technicians to see
and do more.
|
|
|
|
|
AXT100
Thermal Imaging Camera
| PRODUCT
TESTING (BUCKET SEAT) |
 |
Product
Testing
(Bucket Seat)
A
heated bucket seat must be analyzed for
functionality and safety. The process
must be inexpensive, efficient, and effective
to keep productivity high.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| DIE
CASTING (ALUMINUM) |
 |
Die
Casting
(Aluminum)
Giant
die casting machines press a mold designed
to hold molten aluminum. The empty mold's
thermal patterns must be monitored after
part removal to test for integrity.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| LASER
WELDING (PLASTIC) |
 |
Laser
Welding
(Plastic)
The
process of laser welding plastic parts
can lead to thermal inconsistencies that
lead to scrap or even fires.
Technicians need to monitor thermal patterns
during the welding process.
|
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