For Monitoring Process Temperature, IR Is Hot

摘要

While traditional machine vision systems using high-speed video cameras work well for many industrial applications, automated infrared (IR) imaging technology has the edge when it comes to major niche temperature-sensitive segments. Tops among those areas are monitoring critical vessel temperatures in process control applications, predictive maintenance of motors and other rotating equipment, and inspecting ceramic igniters used to fire natural gas-powered ovens and dryers. "Companies with gasifiers--for cracking fuel under high temperature or high pressure, for example--can use IR cameras to make sure the process is safe," said Erik Goethert, machine vision veteran and custom measurement program manager for Boston Engineering Corp., a Waltham, Mass.-based engineering, design, and fabrication firm.