Suggestions for thermal imaging camera (Electronic PCB usage) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: youngbbb
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 21, 2015, 03:52:08 am
content: Hi All, newbie here....I'm working in a small electronics company....Please help suggest an economical (<US$ 2500, but <US$ 2000 preferred) thermal imaging camera for my daily R&D work for electronic PCB.Preferably can focus at a closer distance. The flir E4/E5 being 0.5m is a bit too far away.I dare not 'hack' it. I also don't know where/how to buy a macro lens...Fluke Ti9/Ti10 is a bit out of my budget...Please help.

author: jayk
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2015, 05:17:28 am
content: Not exactly a stand-alone product, but definitely cheap. Only 60x80pixel resolution, but claims to focus down to 10cm:https://www.sparkfun.com/products/13233https://cdn.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Sensors/Infrared/FLIR_Lepton_Data_Brief.pdf

author: youngbbb
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 22, 2015, 02:43:15 am
content: Thanks but I'll need some real products instead of a module.What about Flir C2 ? It's look like cheap. With a minimum focus distance at 0.15m and IFOV at 11mrad, does that really mean I can tell difference in temperatures at 0.15*11=1.65mm ??Thanks.

author: coflynn
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2015, 09:38:49 pm
content: If you want cheap... consider a phone-based IR sensor + aftermarket Macro lens. Total cost would be < $500 including an android phone, IR sensor, and macro lens.For example Seek Thermal +http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Macro-Lens-FOR-SEEK-THERMAL-CAMERA-IMAGING-ANDROID-FLIR-LWIR-NIGHT-VISION-/191527056303?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c97e6f3af.I haven't yet used the macro lens myself... basically it's a 20mm Zinc Selenide lens I believe, you can see another holder athttp://www.thingiverse.com/thing:525605which has some photos of what the results look like.It's far from great, but the cost is low, and it might be sufficient for what you want.

author: zapta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2015, 10:21:47 pm
content: Quote from: youngbbb on March 21, 2015, 03:52:08 amAdding a macro lens to the E4/E5 is trivial. $20 lens from eBay and two small 3d printed holder that snaps in. You end up with a good quality camera at a reasonable price.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2015, 10:37:15 pm
content: Quote from: youngbbb on March 21, 2015, 03:52:08 amQuoteWhy not?If you're really worried, that budget will get you a spare E4.Just add a ZnSe laser-cutter lens, or unscrew the E4 lens about 3/4 of a turn.You'll struggle to get a 'proper' thermal macro lens for that money. Hacked e4+external lens is by far the best value for money.A possible alternative is the Opgal therm-app, which is true 320x240 for $1600 and a lens that looks like it's adjustable for close focus.therm-app.com

author: Galaxyrise
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2015, 11:06:56 pm
content: Pics I took with an E4 and a couple macro lenses, along with the links I used for the holder & lenses:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/flir-e4-thermal-imaging-camera-teardown/msg571084/#msg571084(that's a 3x3 grid of pictures)It is indeed quite blurry for PCB work without a macro lens, but the 4" lens has been great.If you opt to use an E4 without the hack, the lower resolution would probably be ok using the 2" lens. There's also a lot of noise on the stock E4, so small temperature variation would be hard to see. You could also try the E5; it might be good enough without the hack, and it's still in your price range.

author: youngbbb
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 25, 2015, 06:22:42 am
content: Thank you everybody. Let me take some time to digest what you suggested. Thanks a lot!

author: mzzj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2015, 08:14:15 am
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on March 22, 2015, 10:37:15 pmIs there a reason to use extra lens?E4 lens is adjusted to close focus in a 2 seconds using a big screw driver, pliers or whatever you happen to have in your pockets. Same 2 second procedure back to normal.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2015, 09:19:45 am
content: Quote from: mzzj on March 25, 2015, 08:14:15 amIf you're likely to change focus a lot then you will wear the thread as it's just a plastic thread in a cast metal housing. However for the occasional use typical for electronics I doubt it would be an issue.

author: cdev
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2015, 03:56:55 pm
content: You could also use a few sheets of LCD material which register heat convection above a PCB. MUCH cheaper! I use that for finding leaks in walls. It also works well with PCBs - especially when its cooler indoors. But if you have a bunch of different temperature ranges you can use it in any ambient temperature.Its like a mood ring, it changes color based on the temperature. It will show a hot component very clearly. just as accurate as FLIR. Cost would be very low.

author: gmit77
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2015, 09:01:05 pm
content: hello, here are some considerations:FLIR E4 E5 E6 AND E8 they are 45° focus free which make the good for any general use but not always for specific PCB thermal investigation.say we stay at 50cm from the PCB the field of view will be approx 41 x 31 cm for all models and the IFOV (pretty much the pixel size) will be:E4 5.15mmE5 3.43mmE6 2.58mmE8 1.29mmif you move to the next category, say the E50 which is 25° manual focus the field of view will be approx 22 x 17 cm for all models and the IFOV 0.93mm- - -the new FLIR C2 is really cool, I can tell by experience since we got many of them on the first batch delivered from FLIR, I also posted some images in a different thread.pls feel free to ask any questionhope it helps, cheers