Ther­mo­graphy in Aerospace Industry

Solutions for aerospace through thermal imaging

  • Highest demands on thermal resolutions for safety standards

  • High-speed data acquisition supports monitoring and controlling of fast processes

  • Active heat flow thermography allows testing of modern composite materials and lightweight construction elements

  • Non-destructive material testing reduces expenses of quality control

High Speed Thermography: Start of an airbus

Aerospace Sets Highest Demands on Infrared Camera Systems

Measurement tasks of the aerospace industry often require infrared cameras with very high thermal resolutions of 20 mk and/or high frame rate of 100 Hz and more. Thus, for instance, accurate analyses of aero engine’s thermal behaviour are due to high safety and reliability requirements of the aviation authority. Moreover, quality controls of fuselages, wings and rotor blades of aeroplanes, respectively helicopters, can be carried out in form of efficient fault analyses with infrared camera systems.

thermal imaging of a helicopter

Active Heat Flow Ther­mo­graphy for Testing Composite Mater­ials

Control of an aircraft wing

In particular, the application of light and robust composite materials and other lightweight construction processes of the aerospace industry requires an accurate quality control. For this purpose, active heat flow thermography is increasingly used for the production. Various activation and analysis systems allow efficient fault analyses with fast and high-resolution infrared cameras, even inside materials or the construction.

Online Events on Demand: Ther­mo­graphy in Aerospace Industry

Event On Demand

Thermography for Industrial Automation

  • Efficient quality control through fast, contactless temperature measurement during ongoing production

  • Flexible system solutions from modular components to fully customized turnkey setups

  • Integrated software for automated evaluation, documentation, and triggering of follow-up processes

Request Recording

Event On Demand

Effi­cient Material Testing – Non-destructive and Contact­less

  • Theoretical background – mechanical force, stress and temperature Methods for analysis

  • Examples from practice with application samples – elastic periodical load test and fatigue test

  • Short overview about InfraTec products

  • Complementary technical lecture 

    "Contribution of Thermoelastic Stress Analysis in mechanics of materials and structures: some illustrations" from Prof. Vincent Le Saux, École Nationale Supérieure de Techniques Avancées Bretagne

Request Recording

Event On Demand

Flow Analysis Using Thermal Imaging

  • General information about infrared thermography and presentation of different infrared camera techniques

  • Presentation of different flow types and how to measure them with thermography

  • Demonstration of different application possibilities, e.g.: aerodynamic optimisation, heat management industry, environmental research, geological research

  • Technical lecture “A Non-Intrusive Particle Temperature Extraction Methodology Using Infrared and Visible-Image Sequences for High-Temperature Particle Plumes”, Jesus D. Ortega, PhD, MSME, MBA / Anderson School of Business and School of Engineering, The University of New Mexico, USA

Request Recording

Case Studies about Aerospace Industry

Infrared camera ImageIR® 8300 hp Series from InfraTec

Tracing the Solar System´s Origin via Microscopic Active Thermography

Geological field research on Earth provides easily accessible material, but this has been significantly altered by the Earth's history. Unadulterated samples from the early days of the solar system can therefore only be obtained in space, where minor planets have preserved them for billions of years. Japanese researchers have been able to use microscopic active thermography to prove that the minor planet Ryugu contains such original material.

Inline Process Control for Quality Assurance of Weld Seams - TU Ilmenau

Inline Process Control for Quality Assur­ance of Weld Seams

As part of the 3dStahl collaborative project, a 6-axis robot, equipped with a welding machine, was attached upside down to a wall-to-wall wire rope hoist kinematics system in order to automate joining processes involving small quantities or even individual parts such as large-scale objects (lock gates, bridges).

InfraTec/GOM Webinar

Combin­a­tion of Digital Image Correl­a­tion and Ther­mo­graphic Meas­ure­ments

The combination of measuring results from the digital image correlation (ARAMIS, DIC) and temperature measuring data from infrared cameras enables the simultaneous analysis of the thermal and mechanical behavior of test specimens in the materials and components testing field.

Infrared camera ImageIR® 8300 hp Series from InfraTec

Tracing the Solar System´s Origin via Microscopic Active Thermography

Geological field research on Earth provides easily accessible material, but this has been significantly altered by the Earth's history. Unadulterated samples from the early days of the solar system can therefore only be obtained in space, where minor planets have preserved them for billions of years. Japanese researchers have been able to use microscopic active thermography to prove that the minor planet Ryugu contains such original material.

Inline Process Control for Quality Assurance of Weld Seams - TU Ilmenau

Inline Process Control for Quality Assur­ance of Weld Seams

As part of the 3dStahl collaborative project, a 6-axis robot, equipped with a welding machine, was attached upside down to a wall-to-wall wire rope hoist kinematics system in order to automate joining processes involving small quantities or even individual parts such as large-scale objects (lock gates, bridges).

InfraTec/GOM Webinar

Combin­a­tion of Digital Image Correl­a­tion and Ther­mo­graphic Meas­ure­ments

The combination of measuring results from the digital image correlation (ARAMIS, DIC) and temperature measuring data from infrared cameras enables the simultaneous analysis of the thermal and mechanical behavior of test specimens in the materials and components testing field.

Public­a­tions of our Customers

Contact to thermography division of InfraTec

Would You Like to Know More?

It is not unusual for tasks to be associated with special requirements. Discuss your specific application needs with our specialists, receive further technical information or learn more about our additional services.

United Kingdom & Irland
InfraTec GmbH Infrarotsensorik und MesstechnikGostritzer Straße 61 - 6301217 DresdenGERMANY

Infrared Cameras by InfraTec Solve Customer Prob­lems

Due to its thermography solutions, InfraTec was able to acquire customers, such as the German Aerospace Center or the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS). Contributions to this were high thermal resolutions of the infrared camera series VarioCAM® and the high-end camera series ImageIR®.

thermal imaging of an Airbus A380

Moreover, ImageIR® infrared camera systems can reach a remarkable speed of more than 10 KHz forming the basis of certain process analyses. Apart from the quality of infrared camera systems, engineers have been coping with another great challenge - the cameras’ integration. Thus, clients benefit from customized and optimally integrated solutions which the modern and efficient thermographic software IRBIS® 3 is also part of.

Asso­ci­ated Ther­mo­graphic Auto­ma­tion Solu­tions

Automation InfraTec INDU-SCAN - In-process industrial temperature measurement
Indus­trial Auto­ma­tion

Process Control – INDU-SCAN

Contactless measurement of temperature distributions and profiles with industrial thermographic cameras permits efficient monitoring and control of temperature-dependent processes and procedures within a system-integrated quality assurance programme in industry.

WELD-CHECK by InfraTec
Non-destructive Testing

Welding Inspec­tion – WELD-CHECK

Using pulse thermography, WELD-CHECK enables you a quantitative assessment of the inspected welds.

Thermographic automation brake test bench - Picture Credits: © iStock.com / ktsimage
Non-destructive Testing

High-Speed Rotation Test Bench – TRC

Check for long-life fatigue strength of mechanical components in load tests, using high-end infrared cameras.

E-Lit Cabinet from InfraTec for Infrared Thermography
Non-destructive Testing

Electronic / Semiconductor Testing – E-LIT

Detect inhomogeneous temperature distribution and local power loss during the production using the Lock-in Thermography.

Thermographic Automation Solutions - Automatic object monitoring system IROD
Early Fire Detection & Observation

Site Surveillance – IROD

Calibrated measuring cameras offer the option of a completely automated site surveillance by utilising temperature alarms – an approach well beyond the simple and susceptible motion detection systems used elsewhere. With IROD InfraTec offers a scaleable, powerful system solution.

Quality Assurance for Coating Processes | InfraTec / Picture Credits: © iStock.com / Greppe
Indus­trial Auto­ma­tion

Quality Assurance for the Coating of different Materials | InfraTec

Infrared cameras allow the non-destructive and process-synchronous monitoring of coating processes to ensure that the coatings are free of defects as soon as they are applied.

Thermography and electronic li-ionen batteries / Picture credits: iStock SweetBunFactory
Early Fire Detection & Observation

Fire Preven­tion – FIRE-SCAN for Li-Ion Batteries

Monitor assembly halls and storage facilities fully automatically 24/7 and detect critical heat sources reliably.

PV-LIT test solution for solar cells
Non-destructive Testing

Photovoltaic Test System – PV-LIT

Get advantages in costing and quality by non-contact thermographic testing of your solar cells and PV-modules.

Automation InfraTec INDU-SCAN - In-process industrial temperature measurement
Indus­trial Auto­ma­tion

Process Control – INDU-SCAN

Contactless measurement of temperature distributions and profiles with industrial thermographic cameras permits efficient monitoring and control of temperature-dependent processes and procedures within a system-integrated quality assurance programme in industry.

WELD-CHECK by InfraTec
Non-destructive Testing

Welding Inspec­tion – WELD-CHECK

Using pulse thermography, WELD-CHECK enables you a quantitative assessment of the inspected welds.

Thermographic automation brake test bench - Picture Credits: © iStock.com / ktsimage
Non-destructive Testing

High-Speed Rotation Test Bench – TRC

Check for long-life fatigue strength of mechanical components in load tests, using high-end infrared cameras.

E-Lit Cabinet from InfraTec for Infrared Thermography
Non-destructive Testing

Electronic / Semiconductor Testing – E-LIT

Detect inhomogeneous temperature distribution and local power loss during the production using the Lock-in Thermography.

Thermographic Automation Solutions - Automatic object monitoring system IROD
Early Fire Detection & Observation

Site Surveillance – IROD

Calibrated measuring cameras offer the option of a completely automated site surveillance by utilising temperature alarms – an approach well beyond the simple and susceptible motion detection systems used elsewhere. With IROD InfraTec offers a scaleable, powerful system solution.

Quality Assurance for Coating Processes | InfraTec / Picture Credits: © iStock.com / Greppe
Indus­trial Auto­ma­tion

Quality Assurance for the Coating of different Materials | InfraTec

Infrared cameras allow the non-destructive and process-synchronous monitoring of coating processes to ensure that the coatings are free of defects as soon as they are applied.

Thermography and electronic li-ionen batteries / Picture credits: iStock SweetBunFactory
Early Fire Detection & Observation

Fire Preven­tion – FIRE-SCAN for Li-Ion Batteries

Monitor assembly halls and storage facilities fully automatically 24/7 and detect critical heat sources reliably.

PV-LIT test solution for solar cells
Non-destructive Testing

Photovoltaic Test System – PV-LIT

Get advantages in costing and quality by non-contact thermographic testing of your solar cells and PV-modules.

Infrared Cameras for Aerospace Industry

Infrared camera ImageIR® 12300
High-end Cameras

ImageIR® 12300

Image Format(2,560 x 2,048) IR Pixel
Detector typexBn

InfraTec Infrared camera
Zoom Cameras

ImageIR® 6300 Z

Image Format(640 x 512) IR Pixel
Detector typeXBn

Infrared camera ImageIR 6300 from InfraTec
System Cameras

ImageIR® 6300

Image Format(640 x 512) IR Pixel
Detector typexBn

InfraTec Infrared camera
Zoom Cameras

ImageIR® 9300 Z

Image Format(1,280 x 1,024) IR Pixel
Detector typeInSb

infrared camera TarisIR mini from InfraTec
Compact Cameras

TarisIR® mini 600

Image Format(640 x 480) IR Pixel
Detector typeUncooled Microbolometer Focal Plane Array

InfraTec Infrared camera
High-end Cameras

ImageIR® 8300 hs

Image Format(640 x 512) IR Pixel
Detector typeT2SLS or InSb

InfraTec Infrared camera
Zoom Cameras

VarioCAM® HD Z

Image Format(1,024 x 768) IR Pixel
Detector typeUncooled Microbolometer Focal Plane Array

InfraTec Infrared camera
High-end Cameras

ImageIR® 9400 hp

Image Format(2,560 x 2,048) IR Pixel
Detector typeInSb

InfraTec Infrared camera
System Cameras

ImageIR® 9100

Image Format(1,280 x 1,024) IR Pixel
Detector typeInGaAs

Advant­ages of this Ther­mo­graphy Solu­tions in this Applic­a­tion

Thermography with ImageIR series - HDR feature - Picture credits: © iStock.com / Vershinin M

HDR Function

Display of Large Temperature Ranges Simultaneously

The HDR function enables thermograms with different integration times and filters to be created in quick succession and combined into a single image with large temperature differences.

InfraTec thermography - High-speed Mode

High-speed Mode (Binning)

Faster Measurement with a Constant Field of View

Due to binning technology, infrared cameras have an additional high-speed mode in which the frame rate increases to more than three times and the thermal resolution can be doubled.

HighSense for thermographic camera series ImageIR®

High­Sense Function

Guaranteed Flexibility and Measurement Accuracy

Due to this innovative feature, the cameras' measurement accuracy remains unchanged even when integration times or measurement ranges are altered. This will save users both time and money.

ImageIR filter wheel replacement

Multispectral Feature

The multispectral feature makes it possible to record sequences with constantly changing spectral filters. Images are recorded synchronously with a rapidly rotating filter wheel equipped with the filters. It may be possible to switch between up to seven filters, depending on the version. Due to this the multispectral measurement can be optimised to suit the measuring task if the preset ranges are unsuitable. The integration times can be adapted within the limits calibrated for this filter.

Thermografie-Kameraserie ImageIR® mit neuer 10 GigE-Schnittstelle

10 GigE Inter­face

Ultra-Fast Data Transfer

High-resolution detectors and high frame rates generate large amounts of data. With the 10 Gigabit Ethernet interface, this data can be transferred quickly, reliably and without loss.

InfraTec glossary - ImageIR® mobile wireless camera remote control

Camera Remote Control

Wireless Measurement – Independent and Convenient

The functions of the stationary camera systems can be controlled via the integrated web interface using a smartphone or software, as well as via an additional tablet attached to the housing.

InfraTec glossary - Rotating filter- und aperture wheel

Separate Filter & Aper­ture Wheel

Measurement of High Temperatures & Spectral Ranges

Up to two individually combinable wheels equipped with filters and apertures allow the camera sensitivity to be adjusted to the specific requirements of demanding measurement tasks.

InfraTec Service Calibration Rig

Auto Calibration

The Auto Calibration option expands the HighSense function to include automatic, dynamic adaptation of the integration time. This ensures the utmost temperature measuring accuracy and an optimised signal-to-noise ratio throughout the process. The wellfill of a detector is usually optimal in certain areas of the dynamic range. If the measured object signal is outside theses or user-specified limits, the integration time is readjusted.

InfraTec glossary about motor focus

Motor Focus for ImageIR® lenses

Remote-Controlled Focussing of the Thermal Image

Interchangeable standard lenses in the ImageIR® series can be equipped with a motor focus unit. This enables precise, remote-controlled and fast focussing via the operating software.

Thermal image during ignition of an airbag  Image Small

Window Mode (Subwin­dowing)

Fast Measurements in Defined Subsections

Capture very fast temperature and motion sequences in full, half, quarter and sub modes, as well as in sub image formats defined by click-and-drag, using high frame rates.

InfraTec Service - thermography lenses

High‐performance Infrared Lenses

Precision lenses for a Wide Range of Requirements

Whether measuring the smallest details or monitoring over long distances, InfraTec provides high-quality, fast precision lenses for all types of thermographic analysis.

InfraTec thermography - Geometrical Resolution

Geomet­rical Resol­u­tion – Effi­cient Analysis of Complex Assem­blies

InfraTec's infrared cameras with cooled and uncooled detectors have native resolutions up to (2,560 × 2,048) IR pixels. Spatially high-resolution thermograms ensure that components and assemblies are imaged down to the smallest detail and thus defects can be reliably detected and precisely localised.

InfraTec thermography - Thermal resolution

Thermal Resol­u­tion – Determ­in­a­tion of Differ­ences of Only a Few Millikelvin

For detection of small temperature changes InfraTec's infrared cameras offer thermal resolutions up to < 15 mK in real-time operation. By using the Lock-in Thermography method it is possible to further increase this resolution significantly. For this purpose test objects are periodically excited and non-destructively examined for defects and irregularities.

Integ­rated Trigger / Process Inter­face and Inter­faces – Digit­ally Controlling of a Infrared Camera and External Devices

The internal trigger interface guarantees highly precise, repeatable triggering. Each of the two configurable digital inputs and outputs are used to control the camera or to generate digital control signals for external devices. In this way, for example, the operation of a printed circuit board and the interval of a measurement can be synchronised.

The selection of different camera interfaces allows the processing of analog data, such as the voltage directly through the camera and thus the insertion of this information into the thermal image data. Relevant variables can be included in the evaluations with the software, which makes it easier to draw conclusions about the causes of temperature changes.

Thermography with ImageIR series - HDR feature - Picture credits: © iStock.com / Vershinin M

HDR Function

Display of Large Temperature Ranges Simultaneously

The HDR function enables thermograms with different integration times and filters to be created in quick succession and combined into a single image with large temperature differences.

InfraTec thermography - High-speed Mode

High-speed Mode (Binning)

Faster Measurement with a Constant Field of View

Due to binning technology, infrared cameras have an additional high-speed mode in which the frame rate increases to more than three times and the thermal resolution can be doubled.

HighSense for thermographic camera series ImageIR®

High­Sense Function

Guaranteed Flexibility and Measurement Accuracy

Due to this innovative feature, the cameras' measurement accuracy remains unchanged even when integration times or measurement ranges are altered. This will save users both time and money.

ImageIR filter wheel replacement

Multispectral Feature

The multispectral feature makes it possible to record sequences with constantly changing spectral filters. Images are recorded synchronously with a rapidly rotating filter wheel equipped with the filters. It may be possible to switch between up to seven filters, depending on the version. Due to this the multispectral measurement can be optimised to suit the measuring task if the preset ranges are unsuitable. The integration times can be adapted within the limits calibrated for this filter.

Thermografie-Kameraserie ImageIR® mit neuer 10 GigE-Schnittstelle

10 GigE Inter­face

Ultra-Fast Data Transfer

High-resolution detectors and high frame rates generate large amounts of data. With the 10 Gigabit Ethernet interface, this data can be transferred quickly, reliably and without loss.

InfraTec glossary - ImageIR® mobile wireless camera remote control

Camera Remote Control

Wireless Measurement – Independent and Convenient

The functions of the stationary camera systems can be controlled via the integrated web interface using a smartphone or software, as well as via an additional tablet attached to the housing.

InfraTec glossary - Rotating filter- und aperture wheel

Separate Filter & Aper­ture Wheel

Measurement of High Temperatures & Spectral Ranges

Up to two individually combinable wheels equipped with filters and apertures allow the camera sensitivity to be adjusted to the specific requirements of demanding measurement tasks.

InfraTec Service Calibration Rig

Auto Calibration

The Auto Calibration option expands the HighSense function to include automatic, dynamic adaptation of the integration time. This ensures the utmost temperature measuring accuracy and an optimised signal-to-noise ratio throughout the process. The wellfill of a detector is usually optimal in certain areas of the dynamic range. If the measured object signal is outside theses or user-specified limits, the integration time is readjusted.

InfraTec glossary about motor focus

Motor Focus for ImageIR® lenses

Remote-Controlled Focussing of the Thermal Image

Interchangeable standard lenses in the ImageIR® series can be equipped with a motor focus unit. This enables precise, remote-controlled and fast focussing via the operating software.

Thermal image during ignition of an airbag  Image Small

Window Mode (Subwin­dowing)

Fast Measurements in Defined Subsections

Capture very fast temperature and motion sequences in full, half, quarter and sub modes, as well as in sub image formats defined by click-and-drag, using high frame rates.

InfraTec Service - thermography lenses

High‐performance Infrared Lenses

Precision lenses for a Wide Range of Requirements

Whether measuring the smallest details or monitoring over long distances, InfraTec provides high-quality, fast precision lenses for all types of thermographic analysis.

InfraTec thermography - Geometrical Resolution

Geomet­rical Resol­u­tion – Effi­cient Analysis of Complex Assem­blies

InfraTec's infrared cameras with cooled and uncooled detectors have native resolutions up to (2,560 × 2,048) IR pixels. Spatially high-resolution thermograms ensure that components and assemblies are imaged down to the smallest detail and thus defects can be reliably detected and precisely localised.

InfraTec thermography - Thermal resolution

Thermal Resol­u­tion – Determ­in­a­tion of Differ­ences of Only a Few Millikelvin

For detection of small temperature changes InfraTec's infrared cameras offer thermal resolutions up to < 15 mK in real-time operation. By using the Lock-in Thermography method it is possible to further increase this resolution significantly. For this purpose test objects are periodically excited and non-destructively examined for defects and irregularities.

Integ­rated Trigger / Process Inter­face and Inter­faces – Digit­ally Controlling of a Infrared Camera and External Devices

The internal trigger interface guarantees highly precise, repeatable triggering. Each of the two configurable digital inputs and outputs are used to control the camera or to generate digital control signals for external devices. In this way, for example, the operation of a printed circuit board and the interval of a measurement can be synchronised.

The selection of different camera interfaces allows the processing of analog data, such as the voltage directly through the camera and thus the insertion of this information into the thermal image data. Relevant variables can be included in the evaluations with the software, which makes it easier to draw conclusions about the causes of temperature changes.

Asso­ci­ated Indus­tries & Applic­a­tions

thermal imaging for material testing

Material Testing

Save time and costs by non-destructively testing components with infrared camera systems by InfraTec.

thermal imaging in electronics

Elec­tronics & Elec­trical Engin­eering

Measure temperature distributions of smallest electronic components with infrared cameras.

All branches and application areas