Application Note
Company:
Manufacturer in aerospace
industry
Thermometer model:
VT04 Visual IR
Thermometer
Name: Gamal Babiker
What is your line of work?
My company is a technology leader in proximity switches and systems for
aerospace companies. As the Facilities Lead, I manage the maintenance of
all the equipment and systems throughout our entire facility from production
assembly and testing labs to HVAC. In one production area alone, we maintain
2,500 pieces of equipment including ovens, motors, exhaust fans, soldering
machines and vibration tables.
What tools do you currently use for maintenance?
I carried an IR thermometer, but now I take our Fluke Ti32 Thermal Imager
whenever I can. However, the camera is a shared tool, and numerous people in
our plant reserve time with it. It’s not always available for my trouble calls. It’s
great to have a visual IR thermometer for frontline troubleshooting, and then
use the Ti32 when we’ve identified an issue that warrants a closer look.
What were your first impressions of the VT04 Visual IR
Thermometer?
I now have a new data point. Now I can see surface temperatures with a
thermal heat map. I was impressed by the thermal blending. The VT04 is a
powerful tool that can help me establish what normal looks like.
The first thing I used it on was a noisy motor. I wasn’t sure if I had a
problem with a pulley or a motor, so I got in close to take the temperature
and determined that the motor had the issue. We’ve since replaced it, and I’ve
taken pictures of the new motor with the visual IR thermometer so that we
can establish a temperature baseline for what normal looks like.
I also like how small and compact it is. It’s much smaller and lighter than
an infrared camera, so I can just grab it and go. It’s also very user friendly and
self-explanatory. Everyone here who has tried it; just opened it up, turned it
on and started using it, without reading any instructions. This is a great tool
to use before knowing if I need to reserve our thermal imager.
What advantages does the VT04 offer you?
It saves time, and saving time is everything for us. We run so lean that one
person must be able to troubleshoot HVAC, electrical and plumbing problems.
We have to be able to find problems as quickly as possible so that we can keep
production up and running. With the VT04 Visual IR Thermometer, I can just
point at the suspect area and see a digital and thermal image as well as tem-
peratures simultaneously. I can solve problems immediately.
The price is reasonable enough that we could afford to buy more than one
unit. Then I’d have one when I needed it.
What are your top applications for this tool?
Scanning motors is very important to us. Controlling indoor air quality is also
a top priority. We work around a lot of combustible gasses, and we need to be
sure that the air is safe to breathe and that our exhaust fans are in good work-
ing order. We of course monitor the work environment in the HVAC/R sense as
well. Our facility comprises 300 zones, all monitored by building manager soft-
“ It’s much smaller
and lighter than an
infrared camera, so
I can just grab it and
go. It’s also very user
friendly and self-
explanator y.”
“ The VT04 gives them
an easy way to nd
problems by seeing
a digital and thermal
blended image along
with temperatures.”
Testimonial
Visual IR Thermometer