Non-Destructive Testing Saves Time and Money

 

The ultimate marketing tool for presenting cars’ safety are, certainly, crash tests - one of the worst testing methods for engineers and controllers since, in the course of this process, the device under test will be destroyed. Thus, neither further tests can be carried out nor is it possible to remedy any deficiencies of the product.

Thermal imaging helps to make defects visible without damaging the device under test on its testing. Therefore, functions of catalysts as well as electric systems of cars and motor assemblies can also be tested with the help of infrared camera systems.

Moreover, defects and deficiencies of multiple products for the automotive industry are only to be detected through temperature changes. Thus, heated seats and window heating can be tried and tested for their functionality by applying infrared camera systems.

 

 

Inspection of seat heaters

Case Studies about Automotive Industry

InfraTec Thermography Success Story: CAU Kiel
Read more about ImageIR® 8300 hp in use for high-performance electronic systems

Power Electronics – Efficient Control of the Futures Energy

The energy efficiency of electronic components is becoming increasingly important in numerous fields of application. And that is not all: in our electronic and high-tech age, the demand is for even faster active components, higher power densities of miniaturised systems as well as absolute reliability. Along with this, there is the request for environmentally conscious resource procurement and the requirement that the increase in performance of modules should run parallel to lower energy consumption.

Tire Inspection with thermal imaging - Picture Credits: © Vladimir Melnik / Fotolia.com
Read more about tire inspection with ImageIR® 8300

Tire Inspection with Thermography

Mechanically stressed car components like tires are a continuous issue for quality inspection and related R&D improvements. At Bridgestone Corporation in Hofu (Yamaguchi prefecture in South-Western Japan) new test procedures for off-the-road tires for construction and mining vehicles (OR tires) had to be developed to meet the literally growing scale of performance concerning the carrying capacity.

ARAMIS system from GOM - Picture credits: GOM GmbH
Further information about ARAMIS system from GOM and infrared cameras from InfraTec

Combination of Digital Image Correlation and Thermographic Measurements

The combination of measuring results from the digital image correlation (ARAMIS, DIC) and temperature measuring data from infrared cameras permits the simultaneous analysis of the thermal and mechanical behavior of test specimens in the materials and components testing field.

Inline Process Control for Quality Assurance of Weld Seams - TU Ilmenau
Get further information about continuous process quality assurance using an infrared camera

Inline Process Control for Quality Assurance of Weld Seams

Miscellaneous welding tasks in steel constructions currently have a low degree of automation, resulting in a high amount of manual work and employee-dependent quality levels. As part of the 3dStahl collaborative project, a 6-axis robot, equipped with a welding machine, was attached upside down to a wall-to-wall wire rope hoist kinematics system in order to automate joining processes involving small quantities or even individual parts such as large-scale objects (lock gates, bridges).

Associated Thermographic Automation Solutions

  • Automation InfraTec INDU-SCAN - In-process industrial temperature measurement
    Process Control - INDU-SCAN

    Process Control - INDU-SCAN

    Contactless measurement of temperature distributions and profiles with industrial thermographic cameras permits efficient monitoring and control of temperature-dependent processes and procedures within a system-integrated quality assurance programme in industry.

  • Quality control for more precision in press hardening PRESS-CHECK
    Quality Control or Press Hardening - PRESS-CHECK

    Quality Control or Press Hardening - PRESS-CHECK

    Check the microstructures of sheet metal parts during the stamping process and establish a uniform high strength and quality of all produced stampings safely and with a contact-free method.

  • Welding seams and welding spots testing with WELD-CHECK
    Welding Inspection - WELD-CHECK

    Welding Inspection - WELD-CHECK

    Using pulse thermography, WELD-CHECK enables you a quantitative assessment of the inspected welds.

  • Thermographic automation for brake test benches TRC - Picture Credits: © iStock.com / ktsimage
    High-Speed Rotation Test Bench - TRC

    High-Speed Rotation Test Bench - TRC

    Check for long-life fatigue strength of mechanical components in load tests, using high-end infrared cameras.

  • Thermography test solution E-LIT
    Electronic / Semiconductor Testing - E-LIT

    Electronic / Semiconductor Testing - E-LIT

    Detect inhomogeneous temperature distribution and local power loss during the production using the Lock-in thermography.

  • Thermografic automation for site surveillance IROD
    Site Surveillance - IROD

    Site Surveillance - IROD

    Calibrated measuring cameras offer the option of a completely automated site surveillance by utilising temperature alarms – an approach well beyond the simple and susceptible motion detection systems used elsewhere. With IROD InfraTec offers a scaleable, powerful system solution.

  • Quality Assurance for Coating Processes | InfraTec / Picture Credits: © iStock.com / Greppe
    Quality Assur­ance for Coating Processes - LayIR-CHECK

    Quality Assur­ance for Coating Processes - LayIR-CHECK

    Infrared cameras allow the non-destructive and process-synchronous monitoring of coating processes to ensure that the coatings are free of defects as soon as they are applied.

  • InfraTec thermography - electronics li-ionen-battery - Picture credits: © Fishman64 / Shutterstock.com
    Fire Prevention – FIRE-SCAN for Li-Ion Batteries

    Fire Prevention – FIRE-SCAN for Li-Ion Batteries

    Monitor assembly halls and storage facilities fully automatically 24/7 and detect critical heat sources reliably.

Integrate Thermographic Solutions by InfraTec

Based on a great number of applications, especially in the automotive sector, InfraTec integrates multiple requirements directly into infrared cameras, respectively into the software package IRBIS® 3. High thermal resolutions, fast frame rates and the integration of infrared camera systems into complex test environments within the scope of National Instruments LabVIEW are only a few examples.

In order to test fast-rotating objects, such as brakes or tires, InfraTec has developed a special solution and software IRBIS ® rotate. Thermal behaviour of diverse braking materials or specific forms of disc brakes can be analyzed at full speed with the help of the infrared camera series ImageIR®.

thermal imaging brake test with ABS

Publications of our Customers

INNOVATIONSFORUM PATHE 2 - Passive Thermografie als zerstörungsfreies Prüfverfahren thermisch gefügter Bauteile (Language: German)

First publication: Schweißtechnische Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt Halle GmbH, 09/2017

Advantages of this Thermography Solutions in this Application

  • Further information about HDR-function

    HDR – Simultaneous Mapping of Wide Temperature Ranges

    The High Dynamic Range (HDR) function of the Infrared ImageIR® camera series enables measurement scenarios with extremely different temperatures to be recorded continuously. When recording in HDR mode, multiple thermograms with different integration times and different filters are recorded quickly in succession and compiled into an overall image with a high dynamic range. The measuring range can span up to 1,500 K. Users obtain high-contrast images in a wide temperature range characterized by high measurement accuracy.

  • InfraTec thermography - High-speed Mode
    Further information about High-speed Mode

    High-speed Mode – Increase Frame Rate and Sensitivity

    Due to the binning technology, infrared cameras have two speed modes – the standard mode and the high-speed mode, in which the frame rate increases more than three times. The field of view remains constant in both modes, so the scene captured by the camera does not change. In high-speed mode, the thermal resolution also increases by a factor of two.

  • HighSense for thermographic camera series ImageIR®
    Further Information about HighSense

    HighSense – Always the Optimal Camera Setting

    Thanks to HighSense, ImageIR® users have the option of setting up individual measuring ranges based on the factory calibration that best suit the respective task. The software also offers the possibility of storing a large number of such areas clearly arranged. Individually named and permanently stored, the operator can quickly access them. The same applies to changing, renaming and deleting profiles. HighSense is available for different camera models of the ImageIR® series. This function can optionally be added to systems already delivered.

  • Thermografie-Kameraserie ImageIR® mit neuer 10 GigE-Schnittstelle
    Further information about the 10 GigE technology

    10 GigE Interface for a Strong Increase in Output

    The 10 Gigabit Ethernet interface of the high-end camera series ImageIR® opens this extremely fast transmission standard with a NIC specially developed by InfraTec. This works with optical or electrical transceiver modules that are easy to change and are called SFP+.

    Different 10 GigE fiber SFP+ transceivers allow transmission ranges of up to ten kilometers with the same low sensitivity to electromagnetic interference. A corresponding standard SFP ensures backward compatibility with the conventional GigE interface. This combination allows the ease of use of the cameras with the 10 Gigabit Ethernet interface in existing systems - though at a reduced transmission rate.

  • InfraTec glossary - VarioCAM® mobile wireless camera remote control
    Further information about wireless camera remote control

    Mobile Wireless Camera Remote Control

    Stationary camera systems are usually used PC-controlled. Alternatively, InfraTec offers a solution that makes the operation of the camera system even more versatile. An additional tablet PC is attached to the camera housing, which enables wireless control of all camera functions. The display solution allows access to all functions of the IRBIS® online control and acquisition software, delivered together with the camera.

  • InfraTec glossary - ImageIR® mobile wireless camera remote control
    Further information about wireless camera remote control

    Mobile Wireless Camera Remote Control

    Stationary camera systems are usually used PC-controlled. Alternatively, InfraTec offers a solution that makes the operation of the camera system even more versatile. An additional tablet PC is attached to the camera housing, which enables wireless control of all camera functions. The display solution allows access to all functions of the IRBIS® online control and acquisition software, delivered together with the camera.

  • InfraTec glossary - Rotating filter- und aperture wheel
    Get further information about the separate filter & aperture wheel

    Separate Filter & Aperture Wheel – Spectral Thermography

    The combination of a separate filter and aperture wheel, allowing a total of 30 freely selectable combinations, is prerequisite for an universal application in measurement tasks with high object temperatures and in the field of spectral thermography. The neutral density filters used for signal attenuation or the combination of spectral filters and apertures reliably prevent interference effects.

  • InfraTec Glossary Motorfocus
    Further information about the motor focus

    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.

  • InfraTec thermography glossary - autofocus
    Further information about permanent autofocus

    Permanent Autofocus

    Constantly changing object scenes require manual or automatic refocusing. The integrated permanent autofocus function makes this task easier. In the case of a change of scene, the camera automatically applies the optimum focus setting quickly and precisely. The completely innovative, very powerful autofocus system is laser-based and works extremely reliably. Even under unfavourable environmental conditions, such as poor lighting conditions, darkness or low thermal contrasts on the measuring object, this function provides exactly focused thermal images.

  • Thermal image during ignition of an airbag Image Small
    Further information about subwindowing

    Window Mode (Subwindowing) – Capture of Rapid Sequences

    The thermal imaging camera can be operated in full, half, quarter and sub mode. With the camera control software, it is possible to use the extended subwindowing function. Using click-and-drag, freely definable sections can be set up quickly and conveniently. A defined sub-frame of the detector is picked out to achieve these extremely high refresh rates.

  • Integrated Trigger / Process Interface and Interfaces - Digitally Controlling of a Infrared Camera and External Devices

    The internal trigger interface guarantees highly precise, repeatable triggering. Each of the two configurable digital inputs and outputs are used to control the camera or to generate digital control signals for external devices. In this way, for example, the operation of a printed circuit board and the interval of a measurement can be synchronised.

    The selection of different camera interfaces allows the processing of analog data, such as the voltage directly through the camera and thus the insertion of this information into the thermal image data. Relevant variables can be included in the evaluations with the software, which makes it easier to draw conclusions about the causes of temperature changes.

Get in contact with InfraTec thermography division

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.

Europe & Rest of World

InfraTec GmbH
Infrarotsensorik und Messtechnik
Gostritzer Str. 61 – 63
01217 DresdenGERMANY

Infrared Cameras for Automotive Industry Applications

Associated Industries & Applications

  • thermal imaging for material testing
    Material Testing

    Material Testing

    Save time and costs by non-destructively testing components with infrared camera systems by InfraTec.

  • thermal imaging in electronics
    Electronics & Electrical Engineering

    Electronics & Electrical Engineering

    Measure temperature distributions of smallest electronic components with infrared cameras.

  • Laser Industry

    Laser Industry

    High-end thermography in heat-generating laser applications in materials processing.

  • InfraTec Bondung and Sealing - Hot gas
    Bonding and Sealing

    Bonding and Sealing

    Users can utilise infrared cameras during bonding and sealing to monitor and control various technological parameters. This includes the geometry of the adhesive application, adhesive temperature and adherend temperature, curing temperature as well as the adhesive bond.

  • high-speed thermography
    High-Speed Thermography

    High-Speed Thermography

    Get even faster and analyze temperatures at highest process speeds.

  • Active Thermography - Picture Credits: © Rainer / Fotolia.com
    Active Thermography

    Active Thermography

    Make use of active thermography for non-destructive and contact-free material testing, for both automated inline and offline solutions.

  • microthermography
    Micro-Thermography

    Micro-Thermography

    Micro-thermography allows for the thermal analysis of extremely small structures in the micrometer range, providing a detailed representation of the temperature distribution on complex electronic assemblies and components.

  • thermal imaging in plastic industry
    Plastics Industry

    Plastics Industry

    Cost-efficiently control die-casting and extrusion processes by means of infrared camera systems.

  • thermal imaging in metallurgy
    Metallurgy

    Metallurgy

    Efficiently reduce the energy consumption of your metallurgic processes using infrared camera systems.

  • thermal imaging for thermal optimisation
    Thermal Optimisation

    Thermal Optimisation

    Identify possible problems already in the development phase well before serial production.

  • thermal imaging to inspect electrical installations
    Inspection of Electrical Installations

    Inspection of Electrical Installations

    Search electrical installations or high-voltage nets with infrared camera systems for dangerous hotspots.

  • thermal imaging for predictive maintenance
    Inspection of Mechanical Assemblies

    Inspection of Mechanical Assemblies

    Thermography reveals irregularities in heating of mechanical components in time.