Thermal imaging technology has proved to be a boon to a number of major industries. This technology has helped reduce operating costs and improved the quality of service and customer satisfaction.
There have been major advances in instrumentation technology in recent years. Primarily driven by military applications, thermal imager cameras have evolved and been used in a number of other industries. Many progressive industries are abandoning traditional methods of routine maintenance programs and opting for thermal imaging.
Thermography is an essential sensing technology used for the detection and monitoring of manufacturing and production equipment. Prohibitively expensive earlier, this sophisticated technology has improved and introduced in a number of commercial and professional applications. Due to extensive usage in a wide number of applications, the price of infrared thermal imagers has come down.
Preventive maintenance engineers have been using this equipment to inspect and detect flaws in bearings, circuit boards, electrical connectors, motors, pumps, and switchgear, etc. A number of large and small-size companies have effectively adopted condition monitoring and predictive maintenance strategies. These imagers are very easy to operate since physical contact with the object is unnecessary. Organizations using infrared equipment have reported the following benefits:
• Dramatic and effective reduction in operational downtime and costs
• Increased capacity
• Improved service quality
• Improved returns on investment
Temperature control is one of the key aspects in process industries. Thermography is widely used in process manufacturing industries such as food, glass, injection molding, paper, petroleum, plastics, rubber, and steel. Infrared temperature monitors and vibration analyzers fitted in standalone as well as handheld equipment accurately monitor temperature changes and leaks. Thermal imager cameras are used for monitoring industry specific equipment such as pipes, steel ladles, torpedoes and refractory equipment, and valves. Levels of liquids and other materials in tanks can also be accurately measured with the help of these cameras.
On-line and independent condition monitoring is making a huge impact on equipment reliability. Conventional maintenance programs, with the help of infrared imagers are routinely carried out on a regular basis.
Technologies involving independent condition monitoring have been introduced to reduce the tasks in data analysis. This approach is quite effective as optimal sampling rates for appropriate components and equipment.
In use for a number of years only by the military and large conglomerates, the applications of thermal imager cameras are now widespread. Even the smallest organizations are now opting for infrared technology to predict and plan their maintenance services in a better way.
Amit is a technology enthusiast whose interests are writing on Thermal Imager Camera and Industrial Thermography.
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