New IR lenses bring temperature variances into sharper focus
March 2016Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration
Infrared inspections often involve analysing temperature variations on something extremely small or too far away to see the needed detail with standard lenses. Two new lenses for Fluke infrared cameras bring those worlds into sharper focus. The 25 micron macro lens can identify defects that might otherwise be too small to see on targets like PCB boards. The new 4x telephoto lens gets users a four times magnified view of a target at a distance, so targets like a high electrical line or a tall flare stack can be easily inspected.
The two new lenses expand the Fluke portfolio of lenses for select infrared cameras of 320x240 resolution and under. The Fluke portfolio of lenses now includes standard, wide angle, macro, and 2x and 4x telephoto lenses – all precisely engineered germanium optics. All these lenses are easily exchanged between compatible cameras without the need to send the lens and camera back to the factory for calibration, eliminating the cost and downtime caused by shipping and additional calibration.
The 4x telephoto lens, which is compatible with Fluke TiX560, TiX520, Ti400, Ti300, and Ti200 infrared cameras, helps identify problems in power utilities as small as a failed splice on a high electrical line while keeping technicians safely on the ground. In applications like petrochemical and metals refinement where explosive atmospheres, extreme heat, or dangerous electrical levels make keeping a safe distance critical, the telephoto lens makes distant details more viewable while keeping workers at a safer distance.
The 25 micron macro lens, which is compatible with Fluke TiX560 and TiX520 infrared cameras, enables technicians to distinguish thermal variations across distances smaller than a human hair, making it ideal for applications in electronics/PCB board R&D, or anything else requiring near-microscopic level infrared resolution. The LaserSharp Auto Focus button is used to set the focus at the optimal distance for the lens, eliminating the need to move the focus wheel by tiny amounts to get accurate, in-focus images, speeding infrared measurements.
“These new lenses represent Fluke’s continued drive to listen to and be involved with the application needs of customers,” said Chris Bohn, senior business unit manager for Fluke Thermography. “As technology changes and customers discover new applications for infrared technology, Fluke will continue to innovate in the area of infrared optics, as we have with our camera systems.”
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