IR camera provides top-quality imaging

The ThermaCAM P640 heralds the arrival of a new generation of IR cameras with picture quality reckoned to be unmatched outside the scientific community.

The latest handheld infra-red camera from Flir Systems, the ThermaCAM P640, heralds the arrival of a new generation whose picture quality is reckoned to be unmatched outside the scientific community.

Its superior performance is thanks to the best-yet detector/lens/software combination and a host of innovative standard features.

Flexible interfaces provide fast access to composite video connection, USB, Firewire and irDA.

The ThermaCAM P640 provides the professional thermographer with the means to accomplish infra-red inspections more thoroughly, efficiently and quickly.

It is the first ever plant maintenance camera to have a 640 x 480 pixels uncooled detector.

This provides an image resolution that is four times greater than that of a 320 x 240 model.

It also allows the thermographer to take an image at twice the distance away from the target as its forerunner without any loss of accuracy.

As more pixels cover the target the powerful analysis tools can be used with even greater potency.

Up to 8x digital zoom enhances the study of smaller targets.

After zooming, the operator can pan around the LCD to examine all areas of the image, not just the centre.

Standard features naturally include sound and colour alarms, automatic temperature differential measurement, and automatic hot and cold spot indication.

No infra-red specialist other than Flir Systems manufactures its own lenses.

This has allowed the company to develop and produce dedicated high-powered lenses for this flagship camera.

The resultant high-precision germanium lenses have therefore been designed to take full advantage of the high-resolution focal plane array sensor.

A full range of lenses is available including 12, 25 and 45 degrees and a 50um microscope lens.

These lenses have an integral ultrasonic motor focussing mechanism, a facility commonly used by professional photographers.

This enables the operator to employ either electronic or manual focussing to achieve the desired result.

The ThermaCAM P640 takes high definition infra-red and 1.3Mpixel digital images assisted by an in-built video light.

It is also the only camera available to provide readily exchangeable digital camera lenses via a simple C-mount.

In this way the digital image can be completely adapted to the field of view of the infra-red.

The camera also allows the hottest spot to be marked in the field on both the infra-red and visual image to identify the problem clearly for swift post-analysis.

Another new capability introduced with the ThermaCAM P640 is simultaneous display of on-screen live and reference images for comparison.

Text and voice annotation naturally remain standard features.

The large 5.6in foldable high quality LCD can be fully rotated to suit the application.

It is also in wide-angle format that allows easy-to-use menus to be displayed and accessed without impinging on the image.

This flexibility is enhanced by the user-selectable font size enabling the camera to be used for extended periods without eyestrain.

The turntable control grip allows the camera to be moved to the most comfortable operating position.

The customisable direct access buttons and joystick control are integrated in the handle and therefore remain underneath the fingertips allowing continuous point-and-shoot operation.

The battery allows for more than three hours of continuous infra-red inspection; it can be recharged in the camera, in a two-bay charger or optionally in the car en route to the next job.

Fully radiometric video sequences can be recorded on a removable SD card in the same way as JPEG's.

This is particularly useful when inspecting moving targets such as motors and conveyor belts.

In-camera playback allows the recordings to be viewed in the field without the need for a PC.

The camera's ability to record compressed MPEG data to an SD card eliminates the need for a separate video recorder to capture a complete inspection sequence.

Two SD slots are provided enabling thousands of images to be stored easily.

Radiometric jpeg images can then be downloaded from the camera using the resident ThermaCAM QuickView software.

Images are viewable as thumbnails via Microsoft Explorer and can also be shared with others without their requiring specialist viewing software.

For increased flexibility the camera can be programmed with a number of defined user profiles.

Choices include colour palettes, emmisivity settings and temperature ranges.

The ThermaCAM P640 is extremely light and easy to carry.

Including battery it weighs just 1.7kg, ideal for those who need to use it every day for several hours.

It is a tough instrument whose strong IP54 magnesium housing protects its internal core from shock and vibration.

The speed and ease with which a highly professional infra-red report can be generated is thanks to the latest generation ThermaCAM Reporter - version 8.

This Windows-based system takes the integration of image analysis and report generating functions to a whole new level for even faster and accurate evaluation of infra-red reports.

It also fully integrates Word enabling all of its features such as spell-check, font selection etc, to be used.

It even allows images and text to be edited and manipulated in Outlook.

A range of accessories completes the ThermaCAM P640 package including exchangeable optics, battery chargers, extension cables, memory cards etc.

"This is another world first for Flir Systems".

"It's a completely new design from the ground up following major re-evaluation of what a professional thermographer needs to do the job better and quicker", explained Paul Sacker, Sales and Marketing Manager of Flir Systems UK.

"The ThermaCAM P640 combines even higher resolution with dedicated lenses".

"And it introduces a brand new software package that provides powerful analysis and exceptionally quick and easy report generation via Word".

"Without doubt it's the best on the market", concludes Sacker.

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