Infrared Technology Draws Rave Reviews at Indianapolis, Sterling Plants Technicians use infrared cameras to prevent breakdowns For several years now, maintenance electricians at Visteon's Indianapolis and Sterling plants have been carrying around what looks like a video camera. Infrared technology is a relatively new manufacturing tool being used to track potential electrical and mechanical failures. The colors get brighter as the heat becomes more intense. From these images, thermographers can determine loose connections, electrical shorts, bad relays, burnt starters and blown fuses that need attention. In short, infrared technology picks up potential problems before they happen, often preventing machine shutdowns that can cause expensive downtime and lost production.
Infrared technicians take pictures of the machinery on their routes and report their findings.
We'll tighten the connections, and the intermittent problem will go away. Tim Brubaker is a thermographer at Visteon's Sterling Plant. His camera recently revealed a hot spot on one of the plant's major machining lines. The cables were inspected at the next break, and we found that the lug had come loose, causing a bad connection, which was deteriorating the cables. The cables were repaired and the lug replaced, saving the cost of a new breaker.