Thermal imaging breaks budget barrier

An Irisys product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Oct 3, 2003

The IRI 1011 is a novel handheld unit claimed to represent a world first in ultra-low-cost thermal imaging technology.

The IRI 1011 is a novel handheld unit its maker claims represents a world first in ultra-low-cost thermal imaging technology.

With prices starting from under GBP 1000, a tiny fraction of the cost of conventional thermal imaging equipment, the new groundbreaking IRI 1011 now opens up the use of this versatile technology to widespread, everyday use by nonspecialists.

Designed, developed and marketed by Irisys, the new product not only remains a vitally important system for high accuracy, non-contact temperature measurement for industrial applications, but its low cost and simplicity of use makes it ideal as a diagnostic tool for workshop personnel, field service technicians and trades people.

Use of the system ranges from the traditional industrial predictive maintenance applications such as the inspection of electrical and mechanical plant, through the design, troubleshooting and maintenance of domestic and commercial heating, air conditioning and electrical installations, to vehicle maintenance and automotive engineering.

In real time, equipment can be thermally imaged and component temperatures accurately measured.

Similar in size and appearance to a small digital still camera, the ergonomically designed, lightweight, handheld imager incorporates complete optical imaging and microprocessor systems, built-in visual laser aiming device and simple one-hand control.

Power is supplied by just four standard or rechargeable AA-size internal batteries or from an external 5V DC supply.

The system includes a specially designed, detachable, pistol-grip handle that holds both the imager and any type of pocket PC or PDA, which is used for processing, display and storage of images.

The handle and slot-in pocket PC can either be click-fixed to the imager to form a single, one-hand operated unit with an integrated display, or can be detached for two handed operation of the system.

This latter configuration enables the imager to be pointed at awkward angles or used in very small spaces, allowing the pocket PC to be comfortably held in the handle for ease of viewing.

Alternatively, instead of using a pocket PC, the imager can be linked to a desktop IBM-compatible PC or laptop computer using the standard RS232 serial cable supplied.

The imager can be handheld using the attached wrist-lanyard for added security, or with the detachable handle.

It can also be used as a completely freestanding static unit using the tripod mounting point; this enables accurate positioning for remote imaging and temperature measurement, which can then be displayed in large format on a PC screen.

This latest-generation thermal imaging system has been developed from the successful Irisys IRI 1001 handheld industrial thermal imager, using the well-proven Irisys proprietary infra-red array-based detector (ABD) system.

This uses similar technology to the inexpensive single-element passive infra-red (PIR) detectors used in everyday security, alarm and motion sensing systems.

Eliminating completely the need for sophisticated and costly cryogenic cooling, the integrated circuit-mounted ceramic detector generates a 256 pixel real-time temperature display.

An optical system projects the external scene on to the detector array, enabling the temperature at each of the 256 pixels to be accurately measured at a rate of eight times every second, over a range from -10 to +300C, over a 20 degree field of view, with a sensitivity of 0.5K at 30C.

Thermal images from the IRI 1011 can be displayed in a choice of greyscale, ironbow or rainbow palettes.

Two moveable temperature measurement cursors are available to measure the temperature anywhere in the thermal image.

Both individual and temperature difference values are displayed.

Over 1000 images can be saved to the pocket PC for retrieval or downloading to a PC.

Marketed worldwide through the Irisys international distribution network, the IRI 1011 is not classified as "dual-use" technology (unlike the majority of conventional thermal imaging systems) and is not therefore subject to export licensing restrictions, and can be supplied rapidly to end users worldwide on a ex-stock basis.

In addition with a price less than many portable power tools and workshop equipment, the majority of purchase orders can be made without formal budgetary approval.