1. Thermal Imaging
  2. Applications
  3. Inspec­tion of Mech­an­ical Assem­blies

Inspec­tions of Mech­an­ical Compon­ents

Mechanics = movement = heat
Thermal imaging makes it visible

  • Thermography can indicate mechanical stress caused by pressure, draft and friction

  • Inspections from safe distance possible

  • Fast infrared camera systems can resolve movements and indicate faults precisely in time

Asset inspections of an air compressor
Asset inspections of a feed pump
thermal imaging mechanical assembly bearing
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Thermal imaging of a mount
Thermal imaging of a mount

Acquis­i­tion of Temper­ature Changes Caused by Draft, Pres­sure or Fric­tion During Oper­a­tion

Mechanical components get loaded by pressure, draft or friction during operations. Those load types will all result in an increased temperature. Like this the running of a spindle will result in friction even though being well lubricated. If the spindle is not well positioned the friction will even increase. Infrared camera systems provide a fast overview of the status of the operation long before indications can be seen without such a device.

Ther­mo­graphy Allows Inspec­tions from a Safe Distance

The non-contacting nature of the thermographic measurements is a big advantage. Maintenance personnel can inspect rotating or other fast moving machine parts from outside a dangerous zone. Inspections are additionally eased up as a visualisation of the inspected area is provided.

Thereby, in case of emergency, first actions can be taken even before any profound analysis of the data has been carried out. Preset temperature thresholds for alarming and other personalized settings also help to get maintenance teams productive in very short time.

Thermal imaging of a diesel engine
Thermal imaging of a diesel engine
Thermographic control of an engine
Thermographic control of an engine

Fast Move­ments Can Be Resolved by Infrared Camera Systems with High Frame Rates

Many mechanical movements run at high speeds. Infrared camera systems should be able to resolve such movements to selectively detect faults. Frame rates of up to 60 Hz in full frame mode of the inspection cameras out of the VarioCAM® High Definition series provide with exactly this advantage. Combined with sequence analysis tools of the thermographic software IRBIS® 3 smallest faults can be found right in the moment of emergence and subsequently those faults can be eliminated.

Advant­ages of this Ther­mo­graphy Solu­tions in this Applic­a­tion

MicroScan feature ImageIR

Micro­Scan – Quad­ruple the Image Format

Behind the function is a fast-rotating MicroScan wheel, which is integrated into the camera. It ensures that four different individual exposures are taken per wheel revolution, which are offset laterally by half a pixel each. In this way, thermography achieves a new quality due to thermal images providing a quadrupled spatial resolution.

InfraTec Glossary Motorfocus

Motor Focus for ImageIR® Full Lenses – More Comfort

All interchangeable standard lens systems of the ImageIR® series can be combined with a motor focus unit, which is controlled by the camera operating software. It enables precise, remote and fast focusing. In addition, an autofocus function is available which operates reliably even with low image contrasts.

infrared camera VarioCAM HD head of InfraTec

High-quality Light Metal Housing

The very robust light metal housing is available with the protection degree IP67 and protects the camera against mechanical and thermal stress. In conjunction with protection degree preserving LEMO® connectors, it is excellently suited for use in harsh industrial environments. For applications under extreme environmental conditions, suitable protective housings are also available, e.g. made from stainless steel, which can optionally be equipped with a cooling and heating system.

InfraTec thermography - Geometrical Resolution

Geomet­rical Resol­u­tion – Effi­cient Analysis of Complex Assem­blies

InfraTec's infrared cameras with cooled and uncooled detectors have native resolutions up to (1,920 × 1,536) IR pixels. Spatially high-resolution thermograms ensure that components and assemblies are imaged down to the smallest detail and thus defects can be reliably detected and precisely localised.

MicroScan feature ImageIR

Micro­Scan – Quad­ruple the Image Format

Behind the function is a fast-rotating MicroScan wheel, which is integrated into the camera. It ensures that four different individual exposures are taken per wheel revolution, which are offset laterally by half a pixel each. In this way, thermography achieves a new quality due to thermal images providing a quadrupled spatial resolution.

InfraTec Glossary Motorfocus

Motor Focus for ImageIR® Full Lenses – More Comfort

All interchangeable standard lens systems of the ImageIR® series can be combined with a motor focus unit, which is controlled by the camera operating software. It enables precise, remote and fast focusing. In addition, an autofocus function is available which operates reliably even with low image contrasts.

infrared camera VarioCAM HD head of InfraTec

High-quality Light Metal Housing

The very robust light metal housing is available with the protection degree IP67 and protects the camera against mechanical and thermal stress. In conjunction with protection degree preserving LEMO® connectors, it is excellently suited for use in harsh industrial environments. For applications under extreme environmental conditions, suitable protective housings are also available, e.g. made from stainless steel, which can optionally be equipped with a cooling and heating system.

InfraTec thermography - Geometrical Resolution

Geomet­rical Resol­u­tion – Effi­cient Analysis of Complex Assem­blies

InfraTec's infrared cameras with cooled and uncooled detectors have native resolutions up to (1,920 × 1,536) IR pixels. Spatially high-resolution thermograms ensure that components and assemblies are imaged down to the smallest detail and thus defects can be reliably detected and precisely localised.

Contact to thermography division of InfraTec

Would You Like to Know More?

It is not unusual for tasks to be associated with special requirements. Discuss your specific application needs with our specialists, receive further technical information or learn more about our additional services.

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