With Bluetooth voice recording technology and a detector resolution 45% higher than the standard 320 x 240 pixels, the TP8 thermal imager from Land Instruments International sets new standards wherever thermography is used to inspect plant, buildings, structures and other targets.

Within the measurement range -20 to 800 °C, users can capture thermal and visual images simultaneously, record dynamic radiometric sequences of moving targets in real-time, and store up to 1,000 images on the generous 2 GB storage card - all part of the standard package. Automatic capabilities include hot spot and image centre detection, and preferred operational settings can be saved and recalled instantly.

Inspection reports can be created in minutes with a simple Microsoft Word interface using a pre-defined template or manually by the user, and can include the thermal and visual images, measurement details, annotated text and any other essential information.

The TP8 uses a 384 × 288 IR camera and a colour 1280 × 1024 visual camera. Operators simply locate the scene to be inspected, press the shutter and then have both high-resolution thermal and visual images taken and saved together in a single file with text annotation and a voice recording of up to 30 seconds. The integrated laser locator helps to associate a hot spot shown in a thermal image with the real physical target.

Up to eight areas can be analyzed simultaneously in live, zoomed, frozen or saved format with respective maximum, minimum or average temperatures indicated within each. Display options include line, histogram and isotherm.

The TP8 flash internal memory can store up to 450 images, with a further 1000 on the SD card.

More information on the TP8 >>>

Land Instruments International has expanded its range of infrared line-scanners with models for imaging and controlling high-temperature processes in the metals industries.

Collectively the new Landscan LSP10, LSP20 and LSP21 infrared linescanner heads cover the temperature spectrum from 200 to 1400°C, encompassing almost every process in the production of billets, beams, sections, plate, strip, rod and wire.

With more than fifteen years' experience of linescanning in metals manufacturing, Land's technical staff can advise on the most appropriate choice of scanning head, signal processor and software for all applications - continuous casting, hot rolling, galvanising, galvanneal and welding.

Like all Landscan linescanners, the high-temperature models are sufficiently compact to allow installation where space is restricted. Each has a robust sapphire viewing window that protects against damage on the production line and keeps maintenance to a minimum.

Scan speed, sighting angle and focus are all variable, and an integral laser targeting system simplifies the task of aligning the scanning head. One notable technical feature is the extremely fast speed of response which, at =1us to 95% energy, achieves highly accurate hot edge detection that can be used to check on the width of the product being processed.

A choice of Landscan Control signal processors and LSP mountings and accessories is available to interface with local process control systems and with the Landscan Windows Control and Analyse (WCA) software, which provides additional capacity for display, analysis and storage of recorded temperature data.

Full information on the range of infrared linescanner heads available >>>

If you need to monitor temperatures of plant or product on your manufacturing line but the critical points are hard to reach or the temperatures apparently too high, the Land Fibroptic Model FG non-contact thermometer could be a reliable and economic answer.

Designed for temperatures from 980 to 1650°C, the Model FG has a rugged and compact heat sensing head that can be placed sufficiently close to the target spot to take an accurate reading.

The signal from the sensing head is carried by a flexible fibre optics light guide to the processing unit that calculates the temperature, which is located in safety well away from the source of heat. The light guide can be curved round any obstacles along the way, and there is no need for water cooling of the processing unit.

Temperature readings are provided directly from the thermometer as a 4 to 20mA linear output that can be displayed, recorded and/or used to control equipment. The only requirement is a suitable power supply.

Processes for which the Model FG has been successfully used include glass and ceramics manufacture, mineral processing, induction heating, heat treatment, welding and weld preheat.

More information on the LAND Fibroptic Model FG >>>

Although thermal imaging is primarily thought of as an aid to manufacturing efficiency, it is also a valuable ally in any kind of research work where temperature must be kept under surveillance, such as semiconductor development, telecommunications and PCB testing.

Non-contact temperature measurement specialist Land Instruments International had such applications in mind when it designed its high-performance, low-cost FTI Mv thermal imager, currently the subject of a patent application.

The latest infrared detector and signal processing technologies have been brought together inside the imager's compact body to offer all the features expected of a state-of-the-art instrument.

Remote control, a choice of alarm outputs and a powerful range of image processing routines - including five colour palettes, zoom and noise filtering among them - are all available through the dedicated LIPS Mini software.

Easy to install, the FTI Mv can be linked to vision analysis software such as Labview with IMAQ to create a sophisticated process monitoring system.

In cases where continuous calibration of the image is necessary, the imager can be teamed with Land's new P100i high stability black body temperature reference source to create the most accurate on-line radiometric thermal imaging system currently available.

When placed in the thermal imager's field of view, the P100i provides continuous on-line calibration (patent applied for), giving temperature accuracy of better than ±0.5°C and repeatability of 0.2°C, traceable to ITS-90.

More information on the FTI Mv >>>

Measuring the temperature of molten metal in a foundry can be a slow and disruptive process. The use of disposable dip thermocouples can be both expensive and hazardous. The new Meltmaster is both fast and accurate, easy to use and does not contact the liquid metal.

The unique Meltmaster from Land Instruments International is a new hand-held, non-contact temperature monitor which has been designed for use only in a metal foundry. Designed specifically for the foundry industry, it can directly lead to a reduction in the use of 'dip' type thermocouple systems used for periodic checking as required by process.

The 'Meltmaster' measurement mode uses advanced, noise-rejection processing which locks onto the real liquid metal temperature. Four measured temperatures can be displayed simultaneously – peak, valley, continuous and Meltmaster.

Safely and accurately measure the temperature of molten metal in a melting furnace or during pouring without disrupting the process. It can help to reduce operating costs while improving casting quality.

Using the Meltmaster couldn't be easier and requires only one hand to operate. View the liquid metal stream through the viewfinder and pull the trigger, the measurement is made (in 30 ms), and can be stored or output to a data logger (either connected or via Bluetooth).

The Meltmaster is ideally suited to the foundry environment, is robust and can resist heat, is battery operated (no trailing cables), with various accessories available.

More information on the Cyclops Meltmaster portable infrared thermometer >>>