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Pioneering thermal-imaging analytics

PIONEERING THERMALIMAGING ANALYTICS

FLIR is a global leader in the design and manufacture of infrared cameras and thermal-imaging systems. Philip Yorke talked to Rickard Lindvall, general manger thermography, about its latest innovative technology and the growth in predictive maintenance thermography.

FLIR was founded in 1978 in the USA to focus on the development of infrared imaging and detection systems. Today FLIR Systems is the clear global leader in the design and manufacture of infrared cameras, night vision and thermal imaging systems. The company’s products continue to play a vital role in a wide variety of industrial, commercial and government activities in over 60 countries worldwide.

As a pioneer in the commercial infrared camera industry, FLIR has been supplying thermographic and night vision equipment to industry, law enforcement and the military for more than 30 years.

FLIR products are divided into two distinct business divisions: Government and Commercial. Each division covers a wide range of applications including airborne and ground-based surveillance, advanced thermal imaging and threat detection systems. From predictive maintenance and medical science to navigation and manufacturing process control, FLIR offers the widest selection of infrared cameras and systems in the world.

Future generation products

FLIR continues to extend its lead in the development of cutting-edge thermographic and diagnostic products. The company recently launched its new E-Series of thermal imaging cameras featuring wireless connectivity. These light, compact and rugged thermal image cameras showcase the company’s leadership in the development of cuttingedge infrared technologies and user-friendly product ergonomics. The latest E-series models are designed to provide advanced thermal diagnostics for industrial engineers, electrical and HVAC technicians and many other professionals, to enable them to detect problems more quickly and easily and to communicate issues more effectively. Earl R. Lewis, president and CEO of FLIR, said: “By aligning unrivalled research and development with customer input, our new E-Series represents a leap forward for thermal camera technology and usability.”

In the automotive world, Audi AG continues to make extensive use of FLIR’s thermal imaging technology in order to meet its exacting engineering quality criteria. More than 700 research engineers are involved in Audi’s engine development work, which covers a wide range of machine parts from simple items such as transmission belts to complex components such as turbochargers and catalytic converters. All of these items are thoroughly tested by Audi at its extensive test facilities in Europe before the products go into production. FLIR’s thermal imaging cameras are also used extensively on Audi’s engine test-bed to measure the build-up of heat and heat distribution, as well as to determine the ‘failure point’ of a component.

Lindvall added, “Research and development for our thermography products is carried out here in Sweden as well as in France, Estonia and the USA. We produce cameras in four different locations and our thermography products contribute more than US$300 million to group sales.

We have also developed a new range of hand-held and fixed mount cameras to enhance our focus on providing a complete thermography system for professionals. This means that today an operator can send out a diagnostic report faster than ever before thanks to our WI-FI connectivity for advanced reporting.”

AB Technology, headquartered in Malaysia, is the leading Thixomolder® in South East Asia. Established in June 2000, our company is a licensee of Thixomat and is ISO 9001:2000 certified.

Our range of services includes: • Prototype Tools: magnesium; aluminium; sheet metal; plastic; soft tool and CNC Machined • In-house Tooling Design • In-house Tooling Fabrication: magnesium tools; plastic tools; post-moulding jigs and fi xtures; and tool conversion • Post-Moulding Processes: trimming, deburring, CNC, drill and tap; passivation, electro-less nickel plating and other surface treatment; spray painting, powder coating, tampo printing, silk-screen printing and hot stamping • Cold-Chamber Die Casting: magnesium and aluminium • Plastic Injection Moulding • Metal Stamping • Electro-Mechanical Assembly

Our customers include some of the leading manufacturers in the consumer electronics, telecommunications, automotive, office automation, sporting equipment and medical equipment sectors.

WWW.ABTECH.COM.MY

New advances in gas imaging technology

Many industrial gases and chemical compounds are invisible to the naked eye; however, global companies continue to transport and transform these products every day. Gas imaging using FLIR thermal cameras offers a number of important benefits compared to traditional measurement tools. This is because they are able to scan a broader area much more rapidly and in areas that are difficult to reach with other gas-sniffing devices. FLIR infrared cameras display a gas leak as a plume of vapour in the infrared image. Today FLIR infrared cameras are used as standard practice in petrochemical refineries worldwide as well as in oil and gas extraction sites and throughout municipal gas distribution networks.

Lindvall added, “Energy saving and protection of the environment is the driver today in the petrochemical and gas industries and we have developed the most efficient leakage detection equipment available on the market, which is the FLIR GF-Series. The oil and gas industry is a significant growth area for us and we are the only one on the market with this ground-breaking product. Our gasimaging products are also designed for use in gas stations, and another of our advanced thermography cameras, the FLIR GF306, has been developed for use in power stations and offers the same unique benefits. “In manufacturing, predictive maintenance is the sector that is demonstrating significant growth. This is especially important in installations such as nuclear power stations and also where overheating needs to be detected in items such as cables and turbines. Predictive maintenance means that you can fix something before it breaks, potentially saving huge amounts in terms of down-time and expensive remedial solutions. In other industries where moulding processes are involved and controlling temperature levels is vital, our thermographic cameras have become indispensible.” n

www.flir.com

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