New low-cost handheld thermal imager from Micro-Epsilon
Micro-Epsilon UK Ltd have set up a new partnership agreement with Flir Systems UK, a leading supplier of infrared thermography systems. Micro-Epsilon will now offer their customers a range of low-cost handheld thermal imaging cameras, which complements their existing range of non-contact temperature measurement products.
Micro-Epsilon’s thermoIMAGER i-series comprises three models, the i5, i40 and i50. Starting at £1,995, the thermoIMAGER i5 is a compact, lightweight, multi-purpose infrared camera that requires little training and provides engineers with a low-cost ‘point-shoot-detect’ camera. The i5 is accurate enough to measure temperatures up to 250oC, whilst being able to detect temperature differences as small as 0.10oC.
On the new partnership with Flir Systems UK, Chris Jones, managing director at Micro-Epsilon (UK) Ltd, commented: ‘The new partnership agreement makes absolute sense, as both companies are leaders in their field of expertise and have a similar philosophy of providing technically advanced products at competitive prices. The agreement enables us to provide our customers with a comprehensive range of infrared temperature sensors and thermal imagers, both inline and handheld versions, from a simple low-cost inline sensor, to a market leading thermal imager.’
The thermoIMAGER i5 weighs just 340g and with a length of 22cm, it is the lightest and most compact camera currently available on the market.
The i5 produces instant, point-and-shoot jpg infrared images that carry all required temperature data and can be stored internally or externally, sent and analysed. The camera detects temperature differences across complete surfaces or components in electrical, mechanical and building/office applications, helping to detect potential overheating problems, avoiding costly failures, damage to equipment and energy losses. The camera has a bright, 2.8in LCD display and a long-life battery for five hours of continuous operation.
For engineers that require a higher resolution camera, additional functionality and who need to document their findings, Micro-Epsilon’s thermoIMAGER i40 and i50 handheld infrared cameras are suitable.
The i50 features a choice of measurement modes. It has a 140 x 140 infrared resolution as well as a 2.3mpixel visual digital camera. The camera stores up to 1,000 standard jpeg images onto its micro SD card. This means the images can be viewed in other common software applications. The i50 is also compact and lightweight, weighing just 600g. The i50 is protected to IP54 and so can be used in harsh industrial environments.
Another useful feature of the i50 is a new ‘Picture-in-Picture’ image fusion, which allows the user to view an infrared image superimposed on a visual image. It also includes integrated laser pointer and LED lamps for inspection in low light areas.
The thermoIMAGER i40 is identical to the i50, except that it has a 120 x 120 pixels resolution infrared camera and a 0.6mpixel digital camera, making it more competitively priced than the i50.
All thermoIMAGER i-series cameras come with wizard-based reporting software with advanced digital imaging processing and temperature calculation functions.
Micro-Epsilon UK Ltd, Unit 1 Pioneer Business Park, North Road, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire CH65 1AD; tel: (0151) 355 6070; email: info@micro-epsilon.co.uk
