User’s manual FLIR R&D software 1.2 FLIR QuickPlot | FLIR ResearchIR Publ. No.
FLIR R&D software 1.2 User’s manual Publ. No. T559132 Rev.
Legal disclaimer All products manufactured by FLIR Systems are warranted against defective materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from the delivery date of the original purchase, provided such products have been under normal storage, use and service, and in accordance with FLIR Systems instruction. Products which are not manufactured by FLIR Systems but included in systems delivered by FLIR Systems to the original purchaser, carry the warranty, if any, of the particular supplier only.
Table of contents 1 Notice to user .................................................................................................................................. 1 2 Customer help ................................................................................................................................ 2 3 Documentation updates ................................................................................................................. 3 4 Important note about this manual ............
10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 How to set the recording speed ........................................................................................... How to set a prerecording .................................................................................................... How to set a start trigger ...................................................................................................... How to set a stop trigger ................................................................................
1 Notice to user Typographical conventions This manual uses the following typographical conventions: ■ ■ ■ ■ User-to-user forums Semibold is used for menu names, menu commands and labels, and buttons in dialog boxes. Italic is used for important information. Monospace is used for code samples. UPPER CASE is used for names on keys and buttons. Exchange ideas, problems, and infrared solutions with fellow thermographers around the world in our user-to-user forums. To go to the forums, visit: http://www.
2 Customer help General For customer help, visit: http://flir.custhelp.com Submitting a question To submit a question to the customer help team, you must be a registered user. It only takes a few minutes to register online. If you only want to search the knowledgebase for existing questions and answers, you do not need to be a registered user.
3 Documentation updates General Our manuals are updated several times per year, and we also issue product-critical notifications of changes on a regular basis. To access the latest manuals and notifications, go to the Download tab at: http://flir.custhelp.com It only takes a few minutes to register online. In the download area you will also find the latest releases of manuals for our other products, as well as manuals for our historical and obsolete products. Publ. No. T559132 Rev.
4 Important note about this manual NOTE FLIR Systems reserves the right to discontinue models, software, parts or accessories, and other items, or to change specifications and/or functionality at any time without prior notice. 4 Publ. No. T559132 Rev.
5 Installation 5.1 New features in version 1.2 SP1 List of features ■ ■ ■ What is UVC? Translation of software interface to Simplified Chinese Translation of software interface to Traditional Chinese Support for UVC. For more information about UVC support, see below. UVC is an acronym for USB Video Class and is a device class describing devices that are capable of streaming video.
5 – Installation 5.2 System requirements Required operating system One of the following: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Microsoft® Windows® XP Pro, with Service Pack 3 (SP3), 32-bit Microsoft® Windows® Vista, with Service Pack 1 (SP1), 32-bit Microsoft® Windows® Vista, with Service Pack 1 (SP1), 64-bit Microsoft® Windows® 7, 32-bit Microsoft® Windows® 7, 64-bit Recommended camera models and camera software releases For a list of recommended and supported cameras, and camera software releases, go to http://flir.custhelp.
5 – Installation 5.3 Installation of FLIR R&D software NOTE ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Procedure You must be an Administrator or a user with Administrative Rights to install the program. A complete installation consists of several subinstallations, some of which are from third party vendors. Do not abort these subinstallations, as they are needed for the complete installation. A complete installation may take up to 30 minutes to complete.
6 Managing licenses 6.1 Registering your product General It is important that you register your product. By registering your product you are entitled to: ■ ■ ■ Free program updates Free unlimited technical support at http://flir.custhelp.com Timely information about new releases Figure T638251;a1 Procedure To register your product, fill in the required fields and click Register. 8 Publ. No. T559132 Rev.
6 – Managing licenses 6.2 Activating your license General The first time you start FLIR R&D software you will be able to choose one of the following options: ■ ■ ■ ■ Activate FLIR R&D software online. Activate FLIR R&D software by e-mail. Purchase FLIR R&D software and receive a serial number for activation. Use FLIR R&D software for free during an evaluation period. Figure T638252;a1 Activating FLIR R&D software online Follow this procedure: 1 Start FLIR R&D software.
6 – Managing licenses Activating FLIR R&D software by e-mail Follow this procedure: 1 Start FLIR R&D software. 2 In the web activation dialog box, click Activate the product by e-mail. 3 Enter your serial number, name, company and e-mail address. The name should be the name of the license holder. 4 Click Request Unlock Key by E-mail. 5 Your default e-mail client now opens and an unsent e-mail with license information is displayed. Send this e-mail without altering the content.
6 – Managing licenses 6.3 Transferring your license General You can transfer a license from one computer to another computer, as long as you do not exceed the number of purchased licenses on one computer at the same time. This lets you use the software on, for example, a desktop and a laptop computer. Figure T638254;a1 Procedure Follow this procedure to transfer a license: 1 Start FLIR R&D software. 2 On the Help menu, select Show license information.
6 – Managing licenses 6.4 Updating your product General We regularly issue software updates and you can update the program using this update service. Procedure Follow this procedure to check for updates: NOTE 12 1 On the Start menu, select Programs > FLIR Systems > FLIR R&D software > Check for updates. 2 Follow the on-screen instructions. Some programs from FLIR Systems also support updating from within the application. Publ. No. T559132 Rev.
7 Supported features 7.1 General This table lists the features that are available in FLIR QuickPlot and FLIR ResearchIR. 7.2 Feature matrix Note: This feature matrix is subject to change without further notice. Camera support FLIR QuickPlot FLIR ResearchIR A20 9 Hz 60 Hz A40 9 Hz 60 Hz A320 2 Hz 7–8 Hz A325 9 Hz 60 Hz max. i60 1 Hz 1 Hz S65 9 Hz 60 Hz SC600-series windowing – 120 Hz max. SC640 9 Hz 30 Hz max.
7 – Supported features Product focus FLIR QuickPlot FLIR ResearchIR Industrial R&D + + Thermography + + General FLIR QuickPlot FLIR ResearchIR Toolbox + + Plugin support + + Camera control: + + □ Connect to and control cameras + + □ Camera auto-connect + + □ Camera auto-reconnect + + □ Camera information + + Workspaces: + + □ Default workspace + + Local time and temperature units + + Multiple languages: + + □ English + + □ Japanese + + □ Simplified Chinese
7 – Supported features User interface and live view FLIR QuickPlot FLIR ResearchIR Thumbnail viewer + + Multiple viewports with live image/stored image/plots + + Palettes + + Inverted palettes + + Hide/show overlay + + Image flip H/V + + Image enhancement: + + □ Level & span: + + □ □ Manual + + □ □ From image + + □ Scale modes: + + □ □ Linear + + □ □ Histogram equalization + + Default workspace + + NUC on/off + + Perform NUCs: + + □ One-point + + Analysi
7 – Supported features Analysis and results FLIR QuickPlot FLIR ResearchIR □ Isotherm (above, below, interval) + + Edit properties + + Result table: + + □ Mean + + □ Max. + + □ Min. + + □ Diff. any + + Units: + + □ Raw counts – + □ Object signal – + □ Temperature: + + □ □ Celsius + + □ □ Fahrenheit + + □ □ Kelvin + + Graphs: + + □ Plot: + + □ □ Time vs. temp.
7 – Supported features Recording and playback FLIR QuickPlot FLIR ResearchIR □ Frames per second + + □ Interval (S:M:H) + + Trigger: + + □ Start: + + □ □ Manual + + □ □ On time – + □ □ Conditional (above, below, interval of analysis result): – + □ □ A325 digital in – + □ Stop: + + □ □ Manual + + □ □ On time – + □ □ Delta time (S:M:H) – + □ □ Conditional (above, below, interval of analysis result) – + □ □ A325 digital in – + Pre/post-recording: – + □ Delta time
7 – Supported features Export FLIR QuickPlot FLIR ResearchIR □ □ □ Sequence (*.csv; delimited) – + □ □ □ *.bmp + + □ □ □ *.jpg + + □ □ To clipboard: + + □ □ □ Picture + + □ □ □ Data (*.csv; delimited) – + □ Plot: + + □ □ To file: + + □ □ □ *.csv; delimited + + □ □ □ *.bmp + + □ □ □ *.jpg + + □ □ To clipboard: + + □ □ □ Picture + + □ □ □ Data (*.csv; delimited) + + □ Profile: + + □ □ To file: + + □ □ □ *.csv; delimited + + □ □ □ *.bmp + + □ □ □ *.
8 Getting started 8.1 Connecting a camera General You can connect a camera to your computer or your network, using one of the following methods: ■ ■ ■ Ethernet FireWire USB If you have followed the installation instruction, connecting a camera will be a plugand-play procedure and the camera will be displayed when you click the in the bottom left corner of the program screen.
8 – Getting started 8.2 Acquiring an image or sequence file in real-time General This section describes how you choose images and files using the file explorer pane. Using this method you can only work with images and sequence files in one folder at a time. Procedure Follow this procedure: 1 Start the program. 2 To select a camera, click the button in the bottom left corner and choose the camera you want to use. The image will be automatically displayed in the image window.
8 – Getting started 8.3 Adjusting the image or sequence file General You can adjust an image or sequence file using three different adjustment methods, and you may likely need to try different methods to see which one suits your application the best. Adjustment methods You can choose between the following adjustment methods: 1 Auto: The image or sequence file is automatically adjusted to best image brightness and contrast.
8 – Getting started 8.4 Saving a sequence file or an image snapshot About saving a sequence file Prior to recording, you need to specify where you want to save your sequence files. You do this on the Storage tab. When you have specified the path, the recorded sequence files will be saved in this location.
8 – Getting started 8.5 Locating images or sequence files Procedure Follow this procedure: 1 Click the Organize tab 2 To locate your images or sequence files, use the file explorer in the same way as you use Windows’ file explorer. You can expand folders, select external drives, etc. 3 (Optional) To add an image or sequence file to the Quick Collection for later analysis, move the file to the Quick Collection pane using the right-click menu or a drag-and-drop operation.
8 – Getting started 8.6 Viewing images or sequence files General This procedure assumes that you have carried out Step 3 in the previous procedure. Procedure Follow this procedure: In the Quick Collection pane, move the image or sequence file to the image window by double-clicking, using the right-click menu or using a drag-and-drop operation. You can now view or play the file in the image window. NOTE 24 For an explanation of screen elements, see section 9 – Overview of screen elements on page 25.
9 Overview of screen elements General ■ ■ Many functions and tools have tooltips that display basic help information. To display the tooltips, hold the cursor over the function or tool in question. To display the online Help, press F1. Publ. No. T559132 Rev.
9 – Overview of screen elements 9.1 Organize tab Figure T630400;a1 Explanation This table explains the figure above: 1 Main tab bar: ■ ■ 2 Main menu bar: ■ ■ ■ 3 Options Help Exit Buttons to change the file view: ■ ■ ■ 4 Organize Analyze Thumbnails Details Filmstrip File information pane. Information about the selected file, such as its filename, when it was created, when it was modified, etc. 26 Publ. No. T559132 Rev.
9 – Overview of screen elements 5 Camera information pane. Information about the camera from which the selected file originates, such as the camera model, its lens, its serial number, etc. 6 Parameters pane. Object parameters and their current values for the selected file. 7 Quick Collection pane (also visible on the Analyze tab). The Quick Collection pane is a collection of shortcuts to the original files.
9 – Overview of screen elements 9.2 Analyze tab 9.2.1 Analyze tab > Camera tab Figure T630401;a2 Explanation This table explains the figure above: 1 Analyze subtabs: ■ ■ ■ 2 Main tab bar: ■ ■ 3 Camera Recording Storage Organize Analyze Measurement toolbar. You use this toolbar to add measurement tools to the image, such as spots, lines, areas, isotherms, etc. 4 Image window.
9 – Overview of screen elements 6 Zoom & Pan pane. You use the Zoom & Pan pane to change the zoom factor, and to pan over images. 7 Scale pane. You use the Scale pane to carry out various adjustments on the image. You can choose between several different adjustment methods, and also assign a color to display portions of the image that lie above or below a set temperature level, or inside a set temperature interval. 8 Results pane.
9 – Overview of screen elements 9.2.2 Analyze tab > Recording tab Figure T630403;a2 Explanation This table explains the figure above: 1 Controls to set the recording speed: ■ ■ 2 Controls to set start/stop triggers (see next section). 3 ■ ■ ■ 30 According to the camera frame rate. According to the time interval between saved image frames. The horizontal bar indicates the relative available space on your hard disk drive that you can use to save image frames.
9 – Overview of screen elements 9.2.3 Analyze tab > Recording tab (detail view of start/stop) Figure T630402;a2 Explanation This table explains the figure above: 1 Prerecording button (currently displayed as None). A prerecording is a defined number of image frames that are stored before the actual event that triggers the recording takes place. The image frames in a prerecording are retrieved from a looping image buffer.
9 – Overview of screen elements 4 Postrecording button (currently displayed as None). A postrecording is a defined number of image frames that are stored after the recording that an event has triggered. The image frames in a postrecording are retrieved from a looping image buffer. In many situations, a postrecording is necessary in order to carry out a successful analysis of the recorded event. A postrecording also provides a full history of the event that triggers the stop of the recording.
9 – Overview of screen elements 9.2.4 Analyze tab > Storage tab Figure T630404;a2 Explanation This table explains the figure above: 1 Option buttons that control how the recorded files will be saved: ■ ■ Single file (*.seq) Multiple files (*.fff) 2 The location where the files will be saved. You can choose a different location by clicking the Browse button. 3 Create subfolder check box.
9 – Overview of screen elements 5 The Performance group displays the following information: ■ ■ ■ 6 Actual frame rate Stored frames Lost frames Filename prefix text box. Here you can define an alphanumerical prefix that will be added to all recorded files. 7 34 Browse button. You use this button to select a new location to save files. Publ. No. T559132 Rev.
9 – Overview of screen elements 9.3 Image window Figure T630405;a1 Explanation This table explains the figure above: NOTE 1 Temperature scale. 2 Camera identity (or to the file path for images or sequence files on the disk). 3 Measurement toolbar. 4 Image window tabs. 5 Image window, with example measurement tools (spot, line, rectangle, circle). 6 Buttons to add more image window tabs, and to select existing image window tabs (if more than one). 7 Close button. 8 Recording toolbar.
9 – Overview of screen elements 9.3.1 Image window > Measurement toolbar Figure T630406;a3 Explanation This table explains the figure above: 1 Select tool. You use this tool when you want to move spots, areas, and lines within an image. 2 Spotmeter tool. You use this tool to create a spotmeter that you can put anywhere on the image. The spotmeter and the temperature it displays will be stored with the image when you save it.
9 – Overview of screen elements 7 Tool to enable/disable the “nearest neighbor” image interpolation algorithm. When you zoom into an image, FLIR R&D software uses a bicubic image interpolation algorithm that gives a smooth transition between the pixels.
9 – Overview of screen elements 9.3.2 Image window > Sequence recording toolbar NOTE ■ ■ ■ The top row shows what the toolbar looks like before the recording has started and before the trigger has been armed. The middle row shows what the toolbar looks like before the recording has started and during pause. The bottom row shows what the toolbar looks like during recording Figure T630407;a1 Explanation This table explains the figure above. 38 1 Arm/Disarm/Rec/Stop button. 2 Pause button.
9 – Overview of screen elements 9.3.3 Image window > Sequence playback toolbar Figure T630423;a1 Explanation This table explains the figure above. 1 Buttons to switch between film mode playback and slide mode playback. 2 Scale to set playback × recorded speed. 3 Play/pause button. 4 Stop button. 5 Button to go back one image frame at a time. 6 Button to go forward one image frame at a time. 7 Button to loop the playback. 8 Slider to move through the sequence file.
9 – Overview of screen elements 9.4 Plot window Figure T630408;a1 Explanation This table explains the figure above: NOTE Temperature scale. 2 Plot number. 3 Plot line. You can have several plot lines in the same plot window. In playback mode, the red line indicates the current position in the sequence file. 4 Close button. 5 Time scale. 6 Plot toolbar. Right-clicking the plot lets you do the following: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 40 1 Show whole plot. Show grid. Show legend.
9 – Overview of screen elements 9.4.1 Plot window > Plot toolbar General Diffferent parts of the plot toolbar are displayed in live and playback mode, respectively. Figure T630422;a2 Explanation This table explains the figure above: 1 Button to display markers along the plot line. When you hold the cursor over a marker, the temperature is displayed. 2 Button to display a cursor along the plot line. 3 Button to clear the plot window. 4 Button to change the background color.
9 – Overview of screen elements 9.5 Profile window Figure T638292;a1 Explanation This table explains the figure above: NOTE Temperature scale. 2 Profile number, and the name of the file or image source in use. 3 Profile line. You can have several profile lines in the same profile window. 4 Close button. 5 Index scale. 6 Profile toolbar. Right-clicking the profile lets you do the following: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ 42 1 Show whole profile. Show grid. Show legend. Export (as pictures or data).
9 – Overview of screen elements 9.5.1 Profile window > Profile toolbar General Diffferent parts of the profile toolbar are displayed in live and playback mode, respectively. Figure T638297;a1 Explanation This table explains the figure above: 1 Button to display markers along the profile line. When you hold the cursor over a marker, the temperature is displayed. 2 Button to clear the profile window. 3 Button to change the background color. 4 Button to show the whole profile.
9 – Overview of screen elements 9.6 Zoom & Pan pane Figure T630410;a1 Explanation This table explains the figure above: 1 Toolbar buttons (from top to bottom): ■ ■ ■ 2 Zoom to fill the window with image. Zoom to fit the image in the window. Zoom to the actual image size (1:1). Preview window. If you have zoomed into an image, the excluded image area will be displayed in a lighter shade (see the image). You can then move the zoomed-in area over the image using the cursor.
9 – Overview of screen elements 9.7 Scale pane General The scale pane lets you set maximum and minimum temperatures, create isotherms and adjust the image in various ways, About isotherms An isotherm is a function highlighting those parts of an image that fall above, below, or between one or more temperature intervals. In FLIR R&D software, you can set four different types of isotherms: ■ ■ ■ ■ Interval: Assigning a color to temperatures between two set temperature levels.
9 – Overview of screen elements 6 Button to do the following: ■ ■ ■ 7 Automatically adjust the image for the best brightness and contrast. Change the level (by dragging the button). Change the span (by SHIFT-dragging the button). Text boxes to enter the following: ■ ■ ■ ■ Min: You use this text box to set specific minimum temperature levels in the image. Max: You use this text box to set specific maximum temperature levels in the image.
9 – Overview of screen elements 9.8 Results pane General The results pane displays results from measurement tools laid out in the image. NOTE The figure below shows the results pane when a line has been laid out in the image or sequence file. The results pane will look different when other measurement tools are laid out.
10 Recording sequence files 10.1 How to set the recording speed General Before you start your recording, you need to set the recording speed. The recording speed is the number of frames per second that are saved in the file when you record a sequence. You can set the recording speed using two different methods: ■ ■ Procedure Change the camera frame rate. Specify a time interval between saved image frames. Follow this procedure: 1 Go to Analyze > Recording.
10 – Recording sequence files 10.2 How to set a prerecording General A prerecording is a defined time interval (of images) that is stored before the actual event that triggers the recording takes place. The image frames in a prerecording are retrieved from a looping image buffer. In many situations, a prerecording is necessary in order to carry out a successful analysis of the recorded event. A prerecording also provides a full history of the event that triggers the start of the recording.
10 – Recording sequence files 10.3 How to set a start trigger General A start trigger can be regarded as a condition that starts the recording of the event, once the value of the condition is met. In FLIR R&D software you can use the following types of start trigger: ■ ■ ■ ■ Manual: The recording is started manually. Date & Time: The recording is started at a set date and time. Conditional: The recording is started when a measurement value in the image falls above or below a set value.
10 – Recording sequence files 10.4 How to set a stop trigger General A stop trigger can be regarded as a condition that stops the recording of the event, once the value of the condition is met. In FLIR R&D software you can use the following types of stop trigger: ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Manual: The recording is stopped manually. Date & Time: The recording is stopped at a set date and time. Duration: The recording is stopped after a set time has elapsed since the recording was started.
10 – Recording sequence files 10.5 How to set a postrecording General A postrecording is a defined number of image frames that are stored after the recording that an event has triggered. The image frames in a postrecording are retrieved from a looping image buffer. In many situations, a postrecording is necessary in order to carry out a successful analysis of the recorded event. A postrecording also provides a full history of the event that triggers the stop of the recording.
11 Working with plots General A temperature plot can be regarded as a graph that displays how the temperatures vary relative to time in a sequence file. NOTE This procedure assumes that you have connected to a camera and that a live or recorded image is visible in the image window. Procedure Follow this procedure: 1 Lay out a measurement tool in the image. 2 Right-click the measurement tool, select Plot and the measurement type that you want to plot (typically max., min., or average temperature).
12 Working with profiles General A profile can be regarded as a graph that displays how the temperatures vary relative to a line in an image. NOTE This procedure assumes that you have connected to a camera and that a live or recorded image is visible in the image window. Procedure Follow this procedure: 1 Lay out a measurement line in an image. 2 Right-click the measurement tool, select Profile to create a new profile tab. A profile will now be displayed.
13 Exporting data General You can export image, plot and profile data in various ways. This section described how. Exporting image data Do one of the following: ■ ■ Exporting plot data Right-click an image and select Export > Picture. This will export the current image as a *.bmp file. Right-click an image and select Export > Data. This will export the current image as a *.csv file with an array of temperature value for each pixel.
14 Changing settings 14.1 Changing program settings General You can change a variety of program settings that define output data, temperature units, language, etc. Procedure Follow this procedure: 1 On the main menu bar, click Options. 2 Do one of the following: ■ To change the units, click the Units tab and do one of the following: ■ ■ ■ ■ Explanation ■ ■ ■ 56 To change the output data, select Raw count, Object signal, or Temperature.
14 – Changing settings 14.2 Changing object parameters 14.2.1 Changing object parameters globally General For accurate measurements, you must set the object parameters. This procedure describes how to change the object parameters globally. Atmospheric parameters group ■ ■ ■ External optics group ■ ■ Image object parameters group ■ ■ ■ Procedure Related topics Atmospheric temperature: The temperature of the air between the camera and the object of interest.
14 – Changing settings 14.2.2 Changing object parameters locally General When you change object parameters, all object parameters for the whole image are changed. However, in some situations you only want to change an object parameter for one measurement tool only. The reason for this may be that the measurement tool is in front of a significantly more reflective surface than other surfaces in the image, or over an object that is further away than the rest of the objects in the image, and so on.
15 About FLIR Systems FLIR Systems was established in 1978 to pioneer the development of high-performance infrared imaging systems, and is the world leader in the design, manufacture, and marketing of thermal imaging systems for a wide variety of commercial, industrial, and government applications.
15 – About FLIR Systems FLIR Systems is at the forefront of innovation in the infrared camera industry. We anticipate market demand by constantly improving our existing cameras and developing new ones. The company has set milestones in product design and development such as the introduction of the first battery-operated portable camera for industrial inspections, and the first uncooled infrared camera, to mention just two innovations.
15 – About FLIR Systems 15.4 A few images from our facilities 10401303;a1 Figure 15.2 LEFT: Development of system electronics; RIGHT: Testing of an FPA detector 10401403;a1 Figure 15.3 LEFT: Diamond turning machine; RIGHT: Lens polishing Publ. No. T559132 Rev.
15 – About FLIR Systems 10401503;a1 Figure 15.4 LEFT: Testing of infrared cameras in the climatic chamber; RIGHT: Robot used for camera testing and calibration 62 Publ. No. T559132 Rev.
16 Glossary Term or expression Explanation absorption (absorption factor) The amount of radiation absorbed by an object relative to the received radiation. A number between 0 and 1. atmosphere The gases between the object being measured and the camera, normally air. autoadjust A function making a camera perform an internal image correction. autopalette The IR image is shown with an uneven spread of colors, displaying cold objects as well as hot ones at the same time.
16 – Glossary Term or expression Explanation external optics Extra lenses, filters, heat shields etc. that can be put between the camera and the object being measured. filter A material transparent only to some of the infrared wavelengths. FOV Field of view: The horizontal angle that can be viewed through an IR lens. FPA Focal plane array: A type of IR detector. graybody An object that emits a fixed fraction of the amount of energy of a blackbody for each wavelength.
16 – Glossary Term or expression Explanation palette The set of colors used to display an IR image. pixel Stands for picture element. One single spot in an image. radiance Amount of energy emitted from an object per unit of time, area and angle (W/m2/sr) radiant power Amount of energy emitted from an object per unit of time (W) radiation The process by which electromagnetic energy, is emitted by an object or a gas. radiator A piece of IR radiating equipment.
16 – Glossary Term or expression Explanation transmission (or transmittance) factor Gases and materials can be more or less transparent. Transmission is the amount of IR radiation passing through them. A number between 0 and 1. transparent isotherm An isotherm showing a linear spread of colors, instead of covering the highlighted parts of the image. visual Refers to the video mode of a IR camera, as opposed to the normal, thermographic mode.
17 Thermographic measurement techniques 17.1 Introduction An infrared camera measures and images the emitted infrared radiation from an object. The fact that radiation is a function of object surface temperature makes it possible for the camera to calculate and display this temperature. However, the radiation measured by the camera does not only depend on the temperature of the object but is also a function of the emissivity.
17 – Thermographic measurement techniques 17.2.1 Finding the emissivity of a sample 17.2.1.1 Step 1: Determining reflected apparent temperature Use one of the following two methods to determine reflected apparent temperature: 17.2.1.1.1 1 Method 1: Direct method Look for possible reflection sources, considering that the incident angle = reflection angle (a = b). 10588903;a1 Figure 17.
17 – Thermographic measurement techniques 3 Measure the radiation intensity (= apparent temperature) from the reflecting source using the following settings: ■ ■ Emissivity: 1.0 Dobj: 0 You can measure the radiation intensity using one of the following two methods: 10589003;a2 Figure 17.
17 – Thermographic measurement techniques 5 Measure the apparent temperature of the aluminum foil and write it down. 10727003;a2 Figure 17.4 Measuring the apparent temperature of the aluminum foil 17.2.1.2 Step 2: Determining the emissivity 1 Select a place to put the sample. 2 Determine and set reflected apparent temperature according to the previous procedure. 3 Put a piece of electrical tape with known high emissivity on the sample. 4 Heat the sample at least 20 K above room temperature.
17 – Thermographic measurement techniques ■ ■ ■ ■ Avoid forced convection Look for a thermally stable surrounding that will not generate spot reflections Use high quality tape that you know is not transparent, and has a high emissivity you are certain of This method assumes that the temperature of your tape and the sample surface are the same. If they are not, your emissivity measurement will be wrong. 17.
18 History of infrared technology Before the year 1800, the existence of the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum wasn't even suspected. The original significance of the infrared spectrum, or simply ‘the infrared’ as it is often called, as a form of heat radiation is perhaps less obvious today than it was at the time of its discovery by Herschel in 1800. 10398703;a1 Figure 18.1 Sir William Herschel (1738–1822) The discovery was made accidentally during the search for a new optical material.
18 – History of infrared technology however, who was the first to recognize that there must be a point where the heating effect reaches a maximum, and that measurements confined to the visible portion of the spectrum failed to locate this point. 10398903;a1 Figure 18.2 Marsilio Landriani (1746–1815) Moving the thermometer into the dark region beyond the red end of the spectrum, Herschel confirmed that the heating continued to increase.
18 – History of infrared technology 10399103;a1 Figure 18.3 Macedonio Melloni (1798–1854) Thermometers, as radiation detectors, remained unchallenged until 1829, the year Nobili invented the thermocouple. (Herschel’s own thermometer could be read to 0.2 °C (0.036 °F), and later models were able to be read to 0.05 °C (0.09 °F)). Then a breakthrough occurred; Melloni connected a number of thermocouples in series to form the first thermopile.
18 – History of infrared technology The improvement of infrared-detector sensitivity progressed slowly. Another major breakthrough, made by Langley in 1880, was the invention of the bolometer. This consisted of a thin blackened strip of platinum connected in one arm of a Wheatstone bridge circuit upon which the infrared radiation was focused and to which a sensitive galvanometer responded. This instrument is said to have been able to detect the heat from a cow at a distance of 400 meters.
19 Theory of thermography 19.1 Introduction The subjects of infrared radiation and the related technique of thermography are still new to many who will use an infrared camera. In this section the theory behind thermography will be given. 19.2 The electromagnetic spectrum The electromagnetic spectrum is divided arbitrarily into a number of wavelength regions, called bands, distinguished by the methods used to produce and detect the radiation.
19 – Theory of thermography μm). Although the wavelengths are given in μm (micrometers), other units are often still used to measure wavelength in this spectral region, e.g. nanometer (nm) and Ångström (Å). The relationships between the different wavelength measurements is: 19.3 Blackbody radiation A blackbody is defined as an object which absorbs all radiation that impinges on it at any wavelength.
19 – Theory of thermography If the temperature of blackbody radiation increases to more than 525°C (977°F), the source begins to be visible so that it appears to the eye no longer black. This is the incipient red heat temperature of the radiator, which then becomes orange or yellow as the temperature increases further. In fact, the definition of the so-called color temperature of an object is the temperature to which a blackbody would have to be heated to have the same appearance.
19 – Theory of thermography ➲ The factor 10-6 is used since spectral emittance in the curves is expressed in Watt/m2, μm. Planck’s formula, when plotted graphically for various temperatures, produces a family of curves. Following any particular Planck curve, the spectral emittance is zero at λ = 0, then increases rapidly to a maximum at a wavelength λmax and after passing it approaches zero again at very long wavelengths. The higher the temperature, the shorter the wavelength at which maximum occurs.
19 – Theory of thermography μm. Thus, a very hot star such as Sirius (11 000 K), emitting bluish-white light, radiates with the peak of spectral radiant emittance occurring within the invisible ultraviolet spectrum, at wavelength 0.27 μm. 10399403;a1 Figure 19.5 Wilhelm Wien (1864–1928) The sun (approx. 6 000 K) emits yellow light, peaking at about 0.5 μm in the middle of the visible light spectrum. At room temperature (300 K) the peak of radiant emittance lies at 9.
19 – Theory of thermography 10327203;a4 Figure 19.6 Planckian curves plotted on semi-log scales from 100 K to 1000 K. The dotted line represents the locus of maximum radiant emittance at each temperature as described by Wien's displacement law. 1: Spectral radiant emittance (W/cm2 (μm)); 2: Wavelength (μm). 19.3.
19 – Theory of thermography 10399303;a1 Figure 19.7 Josef Stefan (1835–1893), and Ludwig Boltzmann (1844–1906) Using the Stefan-Boltzmann formula to calculate the power radiated by the human body, at a temperature of 300 K and an external surface area of approx. 2 m2, we obtain 1 kW.
19 – Theory of thermography For opaque materials τλ = 0 and the relation simplifies to: Another factor, called the emissivity, is required to describe the fraction ε of the radiant emittance of a blackbody produced by an object at a specific temperature. Thus, we have the definition: The spectral emissivity ελ= the ratio of the spectral radiant power from an object to that from a blackbody at the same temperature and wavelength.
19 – Theory of thermography 10401203;a2 Figure 19.8 Spectral radiant emittance of three types of radiators. 1: Spectral radiant emittance; 2: Wavelength; 3: Blackbody; 4: Selective radiator; 5: Graybody. 10327303;a4 Figure 19.9 Spectral emissivity of three types of radiators. 1: Spectral emissivity; 2: Wavelength; 3: Blackbody; 4: Graybody; 5: Selective radiator. 19.
19 – Theory of thermography some of it arrives at the other surface, through which most of it escapes; part of it is reflected back again. Although the progressive reflections become weaker and weaker they must all be added up when the total emittance of the plate is sought.
20 The measurement formula As already mentioned, when viewing an object, the camera receives radiation not only from the object itself. It also collects radiation from the surroundings reflected via the object surface. Both these radiation contributions become attenuated to some extent by the atmosphere in the measurement path. To this comes a third radiation contribution from the atmosphere itself.
20 – The measurement formula or, with simplified notation: where C is a constant. Should the source be a graybody with emittance ε, the received radiation would consequently be εWsource. We are now ready to write the three collected radiation power terms: 1 – Emission from the object = ετWobj, where ε is the emittance of the object and τ is the transmittance of the atmosphere. The object temperature is Tobj.
20 – The measurement formula This is the general measurement formula used in all the FLIR Systems thermographic equipment. The voltages of the formula are: Figure 20.2 Voltages Uobj Calculated camera output voltage for a blackbody of temperature Tobj i.e. a voltage that can be directly converted into true requested object temperature. Utot Measured camera output voltage for the actual case. Urefl Theoretical camera output voltage for a blackbody of temperature Trefl according to the calibration.
20 – The measurement formula It is obvious that measurement of low object temperatures are more critical than measuring high temperatures since the ‘disturbing’ radiation sources are relatively much stronger in the first case. Should also the object emittance be low, the situation would be still more difficult. We have finally to answer a question about the importance of being allowed to use the calibration curve above the highest calibration point, what we call extrapolation.
20 – The measurement formula 10400603;a2 Figure 20.3 Relative magnitudes of radiation sources under varying measurement conditions (SW camera). 1: Object temperature; 2: Emittance; Obj: Object radiation; Refl: Reflected radiation; Atm: atmosphere radiation. Fixed parameters: τ = 0.88; Trefl = 20°C (+68°F); Tatm = 20°C (+68°F). 90 Publ. No. T559132 Rev.
20 – The measurement formula 10400703;a2 Figure 20.4 Relative magnitudes of radiation sources under varying measurement conditions (LW camera). 1: Object temperature; 2: Emittance; Obj: Object radiation; Refl: Reflected radiation; Atm: atmosphere radiation. Fixed parameters: τ = 0.88; Trefl = 20°C (+68°F); Tatm = 20°C (+68°F). Publ. No. T559132 Rev.
21 Emissivity tables This section presents a compilation of emissivity data from the infrared literature and measurements made by FLIR Systems. 21.1 References 1 Mikaél A. Bramson: Infrared Radiation, A Handbook for Applications, Plenum press, N.Y. 2 William L. Wolfe, George J. Zissis: The Infrared Handbook, Office of Naval Research, Department of Navy, Washington, D.C. 3 Madding, R. P.: Thermographic Instruments and systems.
21 – Emissivity tables 21.3 Tables Figure 21.1 T: Total spectrum; SW: 2–5 µm; LW: 8–14 µm, LLW: 6.5–20 µm; 1: Material; 2: Specification; 3: Temperature in °C; 4: Spectrum; 5: Emissivity: 6: Reference 1 2 3 4 5 6 3M type 35 Vinyl electrical tape (several colors) < 80 LW Ca. 0.96 13 3M type 88 Black vinyl electrical tape < 105 LW Ca. 0.96 13 3M type 88 Black vinyl electrical tape < 105 MW < 0.96 13 3M type Super 33+ Black vinyl electrical tape < 80 LW Ca. 0.
21 – Emissivity tables 1 2 3 4 5 6 Aluminum roughened 27 3 µm 0.28 3 Aluminum roughened 27 10 µm 0.18 3 Aluminum rough surface 20–50 T 0.06–0.07 1 Aluminum sheet, 4 samples differently scratched 70 LW 0.03–0.06 9 Aluminum sheet, 4 samples differently scratched 70 SW 0.05–0.08 9 Aluminum vacuum deposited 20 T 0.04 2 Aluminum weathered, heavily 17 SW 0.83–0.94 5 20 T 0.60 1 Aluminum bronze Aluminum hydroxide powder T 0.
21 – Emissivity tables 1 2 3 4 5 6 Brass rubbed with 80grit emery 20 T 0.20 2 Brass sheet, rolled 20 T 0.06 1 Brass sheet, worked with emery 20 T 0.2 1 Brick alumina 17 SW 0.68 5 Brick common 17 SW 0.86–0.81 5 Brick Dinas silica, glazed, rough 1100 T 0.85 1 Brick Dinas silica, refractory 1000 T 0.66 1 Brick Dinas silica, unglazed, rough 1000 T 0.80 1 Brick firebrick 17 SW 0.68 5 Brick fireclay 20 T 0.85 1 Brick fireclay 1000 T 0.
21 – Emissivity tables 1 2 3 4 5 6 Brick waterproof 17 SW 0.87 5 Bronze phosphor bronze 70 LW 0.06 9 Bronze phosphor bronze 70 SW 0.08 9 Bronze polished 50 T 0.1 1 Bronze porous, rough 50–150 T 0.55 1 Bronze powder T 0.76–0.80 1 Carbon candle soot T 0.95 2 Carbon charcoal powder T 0.96 1 Carbon graphite, filed surface T 0.98 2 Carbon graphite powder T 0.97 1 Carbon lampblack 20–400 T 0.95–0.97 1 Chipboard untreated 20 SW 0.
21 – Emissivity tables 1 2 3 4 5 6 Copper oxidized, heavily 20 T 0.78 2 Copper oxidized to blackness T 0.88 1 Copper polished 50–100 T 0.02 1 Copper polished 100 T 0.03 2 Copper polished, commercial 27 T 0.03 4 Copper polished, mechanical 22 T 0.015 4 Copper pure, carefully prepared surface 22 T 0.008 4 Copper scraped 27 T 0.07 4 Copper dioxide powder T 0.84 1 Copper oxide red, powder T 0.70 1 T 0.89 1 80 T 0.85 1 20 T 0.
21 – Emissivity tables 1 2 3 4 5 6 Granite rough, 4 different samples 70 SW 0.95–0.97 9 20 T 0.8–0.9 1 Gypsum Ice: See Water Iron, cast casting 50 T 0.81 1 Iron, cast ingots 1000 T 0.95 1 Iron, cast liquid 1300 T 0.28 1 Iron, cast machined 800–1000 T 0.60–0.70 1 Iron, cast oxidized 38 T 0.63 4 Iron, cast oxidized 100 T 0.64 2 Iron, cast oxidized 260 T 0.66 4 Iron, cast oxidized 538 T 0.76 4 Iron, cast oxidized at 600°C 200–600 T 0.64–0.
21 – Emissivity tables 1 2 3 4 5 6 Iron and steel hot rolled 20 T 0.77 1 Iron and steel hot rolled 130 T 0.60 1 Iron and steel oxidized 100 T 0.74 1 Iron and steel oxidized 100 T 0.74 4 Iron and steel oxidized 125–525 T 0.78–0.82 1 Iron and steel oxidized 200 T 0.79 2 Iron and steel oxidized 1227 T 0.89 4 Iron and steel oxidized 200–600 T 0.80 1 Iron and steel oxidized strongly 50 T 0.88 1 Iron and steel oxidized strongly 500 T 0.
21 – Emissivity tables 1 2 3 4 5 6 Iron tinned sheet 24 T 0.064 4 Krylon Ultra-flat black 1602 Flat black Room temperature up to 175 LW Ca. 0.96 12 Krylon Ultra-flat black 1602 Flat black Room temperature up to 175 MW Ca. 0.97 12 Lacquer 3 colors sprayed on Aluminum 70 LW 0.92–0.94 9 Lacquer 3 colors sprayed on Aluminum 70 SW 0.50–0.53 9 Lacquer Aluminum on rough surface 20 T 0.4 1 Lacquer bakelite 80 T 0.83 1 Lacquer black, dull 40–100 T 0.96–0.
21 – Emissivity tables 1 2 Magnesium Magnesium polished 3 4 5 6 538 T 0.18 4 20 T 0.07 2 T 0.86 1 Magnesium powder Molybdenum 600–1000 T 0.08–0.13 1 Molybdenum 1500–2200 T 0.19–0.26 1 700–2500 T 0.1–0.3 1 17 SW 0.87 5 Molybdenum filament Mortar Mortar dry 36 SW 0.94 7 Nextel Velvet 81121 Black Flat black –60–150 LW > 0.97 10 and 11 Nichrome rolled 700 T 0.25 1 Nichrome sandblasted 700 T 0.70 1 Nichrome wire, clean 50 T 0.
21 – Emissivity tables 1 2 3 4 5 6 Nickel electroplated on iron, unpolished 22 T 0.11 4 Nickel oxidized 200 T 0.37 2 Nickel oxidized 227 T 0.37 4 Nickel oxidized 1227 T 0.85 4 Nickel oxidized at 600°C 200–600 T 0.37–0.48 1 Nickel polished 122 T 0.045 4 Nickel wire 200–1000 T 0.1–0.2 1 Nickel oxide 500–650 T 0.52–0.59 1 Nickel oxide 1000–1250 T 0.75–0.86 1 Oil, lubricating 0.025 mm film 20 T 0.27 2 Oil, lubricating 0.050 mm film 20 T 0.
21 – Emissivity tables 1 2 3 4 5 6 Paint oil based, average of 16 colors 100 T 0.94 2 Paint plastic, black 20 SW 0.95 6 Paint plastic, white 20 SW 0.84 6 Paper 4 different colors 70 LW 0.92–0.94 9 Paper 4 different colors 70 SW 0.68–0.74 9 Paper black T 0.90 1 Paper black, dull T 0.94 1 Paper black, dull 70 LW 0.89 9 Paper black, dull 70 SW 0.86 9 Paper blue, dark T 0.84 1 Paper coated with black lacquer T 0.93 1 Paper green T 0.
21 – Emissivity tables 1 2 3 4 5 6 Plastic polyurethane isolation board 70 LW 0.55 9 Plastic polyurethane isolation board 70 SW 0.29 9 Plastic PVC, plastic floor, dull, structured 70 LW 0.93 9 Plastic PVC, plastic floor, dull, structured 70 SW 0.94 9 Platinum 17 T 0.016 4 Platinum 22 T 0.03 4 Platinum 100 T 0.05 4 Platinum 260 T 0.06 4 Platinum 538 T 0.10 4 Platinum 1000–1500 T 0.14–0.18 1 Platinum 1094 T 0.
21 – Emissivity tables 1 2 3 4 5 6 Skin human 32 T 0.98 2 Slag boiler 0–100 T 0.97–0.93 1 Slag boiler 200–500 T 0.89–0.78 1 Slag boiler 600–1200 T 0.76–0.70 1 Slag boiler 1400–1800 T 0.69–0.67 1 Soil dry 20 T 0.92 2 Soil saturated with water 20 T 0.95 2 Stainless steel alloy, 8% Ni, 18% Cr 500 T 0.35 1 Stainless steel rolled 700 T 0.45 1 Stainless steel sandblasted 700 T 0.70 1 Stainless steel sheet, polished 70 LW 0.
21 – Emissivity tables 1 2 3 4 5 6 Titanium oxidized at 540°C 200 T 0.40 1 Titanium oxidized at 540°C 500 T 0.50 1 Titanium oxidized at 540°C 1000 T 0.60 1 Titanium polished 200 T 0.15 1 Titanium polished 500 T 0.20 1 Titanium polished 1000 T 0.36 1 Tungsten 200 T 0.05 1 Tungsten 600–1000 T 0.1–0.16 1 Tungsten 1500–2200 T 0.24–0.31 1 Tungsten filament 3300 T 0.39 1 Varnish flat 20 SW 0.93 6 Varnish on oak parquet floor 70 LW 0.90–0.
21 – Emissivity tables 1 2 3 4 5 6 Wood pine, 4 different samples 70 LW 0.81–0.89 9 Wood pine, 4 different samples 70 SW 0.67–0.75 9 Wood planed 20 T 0.8–0.9 1 Wood planed oak 20 T 0.90 2 Wood planed oak 70 LW 0.88 9 Wood planed oak 70 SW 0.77 9 Wood plywood, smooth, dry 36 SW 0.82 7 Wood plywood, untreated 20 SW 0.83 6 Wood white, damp 20 T 0.7–0.8 1 Zinc oxidized at 400°C 400 T 0.11 1 Zinc oxidized surface 1000–1200 T 0.50–0.
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