Just Came Across This – Thermal + Acoustic Imaging in One Device! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Shelly
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 20, 2025, 09:39:23 am
content: ORIGINAL POST DELETED BY MODERATOR.NOTE: Fortic are astroturfing spammers. "Shelly" works for Fortic and is pretending to be independent.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2025, 12:26:58 pm
content: An Interesting development.Some time ago I asked Fotric if I could review any of their cameras as I am impressed with their product line. I already own several Fotric 226B cameras and they produce very nice imagery. Sadly Fotric are not that well known in the UK at the moment, but that may change if their products perform well. Fotric did not provide any review cameras for me to test so I cannot comment on their other cameras performance. The combination of a thermal and acoustic camera is breaking some new ground and looks to be very useful in preventative maintenance applicationsThe topic of acoustic imagery interests me as I was aware of briefcase sized microphone arrays that could be electronically “steered” to scan a scene for acoustic signatures. These more modern acoustic cameras appear very capable despite their compact size and small inter-microphone distances. Very clever technologyThanks for sharingFraser

author: Vipitis
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2025, 08:44:07 pm
content: I am actually surprised, that FLIR didn't put a lepton in one of their acusting imagers:https://www.flir.eu/browse/industrial/acoustic-imaging-cameras/because they put Leptons in multimeter, current clamps and moisture meters:https://www.flir.com/instruments/infrared-guided-measurement

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2025, 10:16:44 pm
content: Vipitis,Agreed. FLIR missed an opportunity there.Fraser

author: Shelly
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 21, 2025, 05:44:54 am
content: Thanks for your thoughts!It’s great to hear you've had such a long and positive experience with Fotric products. The AcouTherm technology really caught my attention when I learned about it at the IR/INFO conference. The combination of thermal and acoustic imaging seems like a game-changer, especially for applications like preventative maintenance, where both methods can provide valuable insights to detect issues early on.Maybe you can reach out to Fotric directly if you’re interested in testing more of their cameras, they’re quite open to new possibilities, as I’ve found!

author: Shelly
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 21, 2025, 05:57:42 am
content: Yeah, it’s definitely surprising! Thermal and acoustic imaging seem like a great combo, especially for things like electrical inspections and leak detection. It’s really cool to see Fotric’s approach with AcouTherm in this space.Will be interesting to see if Flir takes a similar route in the future!

author: Sorama
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2025, 07:39:39 am
content: Quote from: Shelly on March 21, 2025, 05:57:42 amI completely disagreeOur building Physics department has Flir stuff (IR) and acoustic camera from another branch (Flir could not meet our requirements ) and certainly not all in one device.There is a good reason why you want these two features in two separate devices: weight.If you would have experience with site surveys for electrical discharge or compressed air leaks , you really know why these all in one devices are not suitable: (more) than 2kg that you need to hold above your head during a three day site survey…it kills you.Btw, the Flir acoustic camera is not a product designed by Flir: they recently bought the company that used to bring it to the market. And honestly, their specs are not that great although more expensive than other brands.Brands that understands their market will not combine IR with acoustics in a single device.Probably also the reason why Fotric is not present in industrial market.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2025, 02:09:33 pm
content: Sorama,You make very good points regarding the ergonomics of a combined solution. I would have hoped that the acoustic side of the camera would not add much to the overall weight though.I am an ‘old timer’ now so have memories of using FLIR PM series cameras for 3 week inspections and they weigh 2.4Kg with battery installed. You developed strong arm muscles in those days !Fraser

author: IR_Geek
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2025, 04:25:00 pm
content: Could be worse ... Inframetrics 760 transporter cart

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2025, 04:33:23 pm
content: Oh yes, far worse ! Those early Inframetrics 500/600 & 700 series were not nice to use portable. The AGA/AGEMA 680 was a beast as well. The 680 sat on a tripod more akin to a 50 CAL machine gun mountNote that in the attached pictures of a 680, one includes details of the pictured lens…… the lens alone weighs 2.4kg ! I have a 680 in the attic and it is no lightweight !Thankfully I began using thermal cameras when the AGEMA Thermovision 880 was in use. Still a hefty beast to carry on your shoulder (and tethered to its controller by umbilical), but just about manageable. Far better when it could be mounted on a tripod.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2025, 04:55:57 pm
content: In case it is of interest to readers, here is a link to the Noiseless Acoustics Oy patent for an acoustic camera. The pictured product is similar to that offered by FLIR. I am uncertain whether the FOTRIC unit uses the same technology “under licence” or something different.https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/56/65/e2/b365137e2fd032/WO2018055232A1.pdfUpdate: Teledyne have purchased a majority interest in Noiseless Accoustics ….https://www.flir.co.uk/news-center/corporate-news/Teledyne_aquires_majority_interest_in_NL_acoustics/Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2025, 05:13:40 pm
content: Fotric make dedicated handheld acoustic cameras as well…….https://daqlogsystems.co.uk/product/fotric-td3-ld-industrial-acoustic-camera/https://www.fotric.com/product-page/fotric-h4-acoustic-imaging-cameraFraser

author: Sorama
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2025, 06:01:23 pm
content: Quote from: Fraser on March 21, 2025, 04:55:57 pmHello again,I mentioned this purchase by Teledyne in one of my former posts.They simply bought the company and got version 2 out of their acoustic camera.The first version was an OEM from NL acoustics.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 21, 2025, 09:46:40 pm
content: Quote from: Fraser on March 20, 2025, 12:26:58 pmSadly Fortic are astroturfing spammers. "Shelly" works for Fortic and is pretending to be independent.