Non-Contact Temperature Measurement

Fluke Precision Infrared Thermometers

Fluke Precision Infrared Thermometers Offer a Broad temperature range, superior optics and the advanced extra-bright three-dot laser sighting system make Fluke 570 series thermometers the most advanced portable thermometers in the industry.

The Fluke 570 non-contact thermometers are ideal professional diagnostic tools for maintenance professionals requiring the most accurate temperature readings at all distances. The Fluke 570 series infrared (IR) measures surface temperatures, helping to quickly locate lubrication problems, overloads, short-circuits or misaligned and overheated equipment, reducing work and follow-up time, and improving performance. From close-up electrical connections, to distant room balancing checks, the Fluke 570 series can take IR temperature measurements with ease. Predictive maintenance professionals requiring analysis and documentation use the 574 model with 100-point data logging and included software for graphing and analysis for follow-up reporting and documentation.

The Fluke 574-NI Nonincendive Model
When safety is a concern and data logging and downloading are required, the Fluke 574 Nonincendive (NI) model thermometer is the product to choose. It has the same great features as the standard 574 model thermometers with the extra confidence of a Factory Mutual approval for use in hazardous environments*. *See specification table for details. The Fluke 574-NI thermometer, does not release enough electrical or thermal energy to ignite flammable gases or vapors under normal operational and environmental conditions.

Accurate measurements depend in part on accurately sighting a target. Fluke 570 series thermometers are the only thermometers with a sighting system designed to precisely track the infrared path as seen by the sensors. This enables the advanced coaxial three-dot laser sighting to accurately show both the center and the edges of the spot being measured, regardless of the thermometer’s distance from the target. This laser sighting also appears twice as bright to the human eye as normal lasers (while maintaining the same safety rating as less bright lasers), making precise sighting easier in a variety of lighting conditions and distances.

Fluke 574 Precision Infrared Thermometer Includes 572 Features and the following:

• DIF/AVG measurement calculations instantly computed
• 100 temperature data logging capability for easy route review
• 30 pre-set common material emissivity values for most accurate temperature readings
• Audible and visible HI and LO temperature alarm for instant recognition
• Thermocouple K probe input for contact temperature measurements with same unit
• Customizable log names, alarms, and emissivity values for more efficient, less error-prone predictive maintenance routes

Features Unique to the Fluke 574 Model

• Windows-based (Windows NT/ 2000/XP) software for data storage and analysis
• Software to log, graph, and analyze temperature data via RS232 connection

Posted in Press Releases |

HIOKI Memory HiLOGGER Data Logger

HIOKI Memory HiLOGGER Data Logger LR8402-20 - Portable Data Logger with 30 Standard Channels Expandable to 60 Channels

Only the size of an A4 sheet of paper, the HIOKI LR8402-20 is the realization of a goal to build a logger that provides the existing functionality of a multi-channel data logger in a portable format. The new model comes with 30 channel capability as standard, to which another 30 channels can be added. All input channels for measuring temperature, humidity, voltage and impedance are isolated for safety, culminating in a powerful multi-measurement system that also offers pulse and logic inputs. Long-term logging is coupled with the capability to protect data against unexpected power outages and other problems for stable recordings over an entire year (see note). Note: Continuous recordings lasting longer than 1 year are also possible.

Use in Fuel Cell, Electric Vehicle and other Development Applications

■ High Withstand Voltage
The HiLOGGER measures not only fuel cells, but also batteries for UPS (uninterruptible power supplies) devices used in buildings as well as batteries consisting of cells and packaging connected in stacks that require multi-point measurements. In such measurements, high voltage for the whole stack is applied between channel-to-channel and channel-to-ground. Only a measuring instrument with isolated inputs and high-capacity withstand voltage characteristics can endure this.

■ High-Speed Sampling
In the development of automobiles such as electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHV) that use motors for propulsion, abrupt changes in load need to be measured. This makes the multi-channel, high-speed 10 ms sampling capability of the LR8400-20 Series an indispensable feature.

■ Multi-Channel Measurements
In the development of fuel cells, multiple power-generating cells are connected to form a stack. Independent measurements of each cell require multi-channel measurements of DC voltage, DC current, temperature and other parameters. The LR8400-20 Series comes with 30 channels as standard, which can be expanded to 60 channels.

■ Environmental measurements to prevent global warming
■ Development of fuel cell materials, energy field
■ Development of automobiles, testing of automobile parts
■ Maintenance and inspection of equipment
■ Monitoring plants
■ Testing of electrical products
■ Impedance testing of electronic parts

Multi-Channel Measurements

In the development of fuel cells, multiple power-generating cells are connected to form a stack. Independent measurements of each cell require multi-channel measurements of DC voltage, DC current, temperature and other parameters. The LR8400-20 Series comes with 30 channels as standard, which can be expanded to 60 channels.

High Withstand Voltage

The HiLOGGER measures not only fuel cells, but also batteries for UPS (uninterruptible power supplies) devices used in buildings as well as batteries consisting of cells and packaging connected in stacks that require multi-point measurements. In such measurements, high voltage for the whole stack is applied between channel-to-channel and channel-to-ground. Only a measuring instrument with isolated inputs and high-capacity withstand voltage characteristics can endure this.

High-Speed Sampling

In the development of automobiles such as electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHV) that use motors for propulsion, abrupt changes in load need to be measured.
This makes the multi-channel, high-speed 10 ms sampling capability of the LR8400-20 Series an indispensable feature.

Highlights - Multi-Measurements

Measuring and Recording Temperature and Humidity
■ Measures and records a variety of transducer outputs (DC voltage)
■ The HiLOGGER comes with the high withstand voltage, isolated inputs required for measuring and recording battery cell voltages
■ Measures and records a resistance values

A Compact A4 Size Enhances Mobility
■ A compact A4 size footprint makes it ideal for use in virtually any environment.

Collecting Automotive Data
■ Ideal for testing and collecting data on the vibration characteristics of automotive parts

Posted in Test & Measurement |

First Commercially Available Turn-key Thermochromic Liquid Crystal Based Image Processing System

Advanced Thermal Solutions thermVIEW Liquid Crystal Thermographic Analysis Tool

The turnkey thermVIEW Thermochromic Liquid Crystal based temperature measurement system performs high-resolution thermography with precise temperature accuracy and micron level spatial resolution. The system provides greater range and flexibility while it is more cost-effective than alternative technologies. Applications for thermVIEW exist in a wide range of industries, including electronics thermal management and failure analysis, gas turbine heat transfer industries and academic laboratories.

The thermVIEW System uses the color response of thermochromic liquid crystals (TLC) for the purpose of temperature measurement.  Liquid crystals reflect incident light at the visible wave length based on the temperature of the surface to which they are applied. The temperature response of liquid crystal is called the event temperature. When the surface is illuminated by white light and viewed under fixed optical conditions, the TLC material will reflect a unique wavelength distribution of visible light (i.e., color). As the temperature rises through the TLC’s bandwidth, the reflected color of the TLC will change. Finally, when the temperature exceeds the TLC’s clearing point temperature, the material will enter the pure liquid state and will revert back to being transparent. This phenomenon is selective reflection and occurs in most TLCs both on heating and cooling, and occurs with minimal hysteresis.

The reflected color distribution for most TLC materials will vary continuously from the longer wavelengths (i.e. red) corresponding to the event temperature to shorter wavelengths (i.e. blue) corresponding to the clearing point temperature. Additionally, a TLC material will also transmit a significant amount of the incident light with virtually no modification.

This color-temperature response can then be captured by a color camera, formulated into a calibration curve of color versus temperature and used to transform a color measurement system into a very accurate TLC based thermography system. In building efficient TLC-based thermography systems, thermVIEW™ technology and performance surpasses all other available methods,including Infra Red thermography.

TLC Color Temperature Calibration

thermVIEW built-in features allow fully automatic color-temperature calibration of virtually any TLC formulation available via the patented RS-232-enabled calibration device. This device permits the color-calibration data to be acquired by simultaneously using the camera to record the color response while it is being subjected to successively higher levels of temperature on a solid-state, PID-controlled test surface. The software then analyzes the color/temperature response and builds the calibration data.

Thermograph Analysis Tools

thermVIEW analysis tools provide users with dynamic data-probing capabilities with point value and linked X-Y data profile display. Users can interactively calibrate the physical-to-screen coordinate system for any image being analyzed. This feature gives thermVIEW operators a very simple and direct mechanism to make spatial measurements of the thermal phenomena present in their thermographs.

Processing Tools

thermVIEW processing tools allow users to “extract” a color or temperature image plane with Region Of Interest (ROI) control, create and apply “masks” (aids in determining valid regions of the image), perform thresholding and apply spatial filters on a loaded image  interactively. Automatic conversion to temperature in user specified units (ºC, ºF, K, R) is supported using the TLC color-temperature calibration data.

Image Acquisition/Storage Software Features

thermVIEW has integral support for live, “onthe-fly” image acquisition, averaging and storage (TIFF file format) features. These include ROI specification using the built-in IMAQ Vision ROI tools along with full control of the frame grabber settings such as scaling and calibration. The system also supports image retrieval from disk for post-processing of archived images.

What is liquid crystal thermography? (LCT)

thermVIEW system uses the color response of thermochromic liquid crystals (TLC) for the purpose of temperature measurement. Liquid crystals reflect incident light at the visible wave length based on the temperature of the surface to which they are applied.

• Does the chip or the board get destroyed as the result of ink/LC application?
No, ink and LC can be washed off with de-ionized water.

• Can one reuse the LC treated surface?
Yes, as long as the surface is kept in a clean environment.

• How often do I need to calibrate?
Typically every time the LC is applied to a new surface - a good measurement practice.

• Are liquid crystals harmful?
No, but we do not recommend consuming them.

• Can you use it for board level measurement?
Yes, LC can be used for any surface that can be treated with LC and trackable lighting.

• Can you mix different liquid crystal compounds?
Yes, however, it will be difficult to determine the temperature because the same colors, reflecting a temperature, will appear repeatedly as the surface is heated.

Posted in Manufacturer News |

Tabor Electronics Updates the Award Winning Pulse Master Series

Offering More Connectivity Options, More Short Circuit Protection Options, with Excellent Trigger Accuracy and Performance.

Tel-Hanan Israel, January 2012 – Tabor Electronics has recently announced an upgrade to its award winning Pulse Master Series Waveform Generators. The new and upgraded PM8571A and PM8572A single and dual channel pulse waveform generators will support new interfacing options, short circuit protection and more accurate signals. The new Pulse Master Series has been upgraded to include a USB host enabling the loading and saving of waveforms and setups. Different devices such as a USB stick, CD ROM and DVD can be connected to the instrument to load previously programmed waveforms and setups without the need of a PC or Laptop.

Other additions to the new PM series include a 10Vpp short circuit protection for applications where there is a high risk of burning the output. Many applications utilizing pulses require extremely accurate and precise triggering capabilities, the new PM8571A and PM8572A now offer a trigger jitter lower than 100ps, providing users with extremely high levels of signal precision in their various testing scenarios.

About Tabor Electronics
Established in 1971, Tabor Electronics has become a world-leading provider of high-end signal sources, featuring: pulse, function and arbitrary waveform generators, high-voltage amplifiers, waveform and modulation creation software. Tabor has earned global recognition for its highly skilled workforce and innovative engineering capabilities. In addition to offering a full range of self-branded instruments, Tabor is also a world-class OEM that private-labels a variety of products for industry leaders. Technologically advanced, featuring the highest levels of performance, reliability, and most importantly, price-competitive, Tabor’s products are sought-after in a diverse array of applications.

Posted in Manufacturer News |