Infrared Cameras for Plant Inspec­tion

The use of Thermal imaging for preventive maintenance through continuous monitoring of technical equipment increases capital productivity, occupational safety and product quality.

  • Thermal imaging allows inspection of a wide range of plant parameters during operation.

  • Efficient, 24/7 fully automated monitoring of plant technology and temperature-dependent processes

  • Imaging solution provides initial indications at the inspection site

  • Automatic warning and alarm when critical temperatures are reached

  • Simple and reliable tracking of plant status over time using stored data

  • Reduction in maintenance costs

Chemical Industry - rotary kiln
Asset inspections of an air compressor
Asset inspections of a feed pump
Control of an inspections engine
Inspection of a pump
thermal imaging in asset inspections
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Thermal image of a transformator

Ther­mo­graphy: Reliable and Flexible for Inspection Systems of Plants in Continuous Operation

Increasing investment costs and the growing interconnection of production facilities place high demands on the reliability and service life of technical equipment. Condition-based maintenance based on continuous monitoring of the plant makes a decisive contribution towards that. Early detection of deviations and critical conditions also ensures high product quality and higher production throughput. Last but not least, permanent monitoring contributes to lower energy consumption and greater occupational safety.

Thermal imaging as a method of preventive maintenance detects a wide range of fault sources associated with thermal changes – increased resistance due to defects in electronics, excessive friction on moving machine parts or leaks in heat exchangers. The measurement method thus makes a major contribution to the success of manufacturing company.

Inspection of an electric motor

An Infrared Camera Allows Efficient Plant Inspection During Operation

A key advantage of preventive maintenance with an infrared camera systems is the ability to perform contactless temperature measurement. This means that thermographic inspections can be carried out during operation because they do not affect the performance of the system and do not require any interruption to the production process. In addition, the personnel responsible for monitoring are not exposed to any risks during the inspection, as they do not have to be in the vicinity of the system.

The visual representation of the temperature distribution provides a quick overview of the current system status at any time. If temperature thresholds are exceeded, an alarm is automatically triggered, enabling rapid intervention. Stored thermography data also allows the system status to be continuously monitored without any problems, enabling maintenance to be carried out at the best possible time.

Applications of Thermal Imaging for Plant Monitoring

Automation InfraTec GRID-DETECT protective housing

Inspection of substations

Thermal imaging allows for quick information about the condition of electrical systems. Hotspots caused by overloads or faulty connections can be easily identified and appropriate measures may be taken.

InfraTec Thermography Glossar - Temperature Measurement with Thermography - Picture credits: © iStock.com / tiborgartner

Monitoring of Chemical Plants

Continuous temperature monitoring ensures that chemical processes run smoothly and allows for a quick response to any deviations. Damage to the insulation of reaction vessels and supply lines can be easily detected and localised using thermograms.

thermal imaging for predictive maintenance

Monitoring of Mechanical Assemblies

Thermal imaging helps to identify mechanical stress caused by pressure, tension and friction, even during very fast movements and from a safe distance. These types of stress are all associated with increased temperatures, which are easily recognisable in the thermogram. 

thermography for aerial photography

Plant Monitoring using Aerial Thermography

Equipped with an infrared camera and image-stabilising gimbal, helicopters, small aircraft or drones can reliably monitor overhead power lines or other extensive technical facilities.

Infrared image of a wind turbine

Inspection of Rotor Blades

Wind turbines are becoming increasingly important in energy generation. Thermal imaging enables inspecting the rotors during operation and from the ground.

InfraTec | Thermography in Casting, molten metal - Picture credits: @ iStock / Warut1

Plant Monitoring in Metal Industry

In addition to continuous quality control of melt, casting or forming processes, thermal imaging also allows safety-related monitoring of melt furnaces, moulds, etc.

Automation InfraTec GRID-DETECT protective housing

Inspection of substations

Thermal imaging allows for quick information about the condition of electrical systems. Hotspots caused by overloads or faulty connections can be easily identified and appropriate measures may be taken.

InfraTec Thermography Glossar - Temperature Measurement with Thermography - Picture credits: © iStock.com / tiborgartner

Monitoring of Chemical Plants

Continuous temperature monitoring ensures that chemical processes run smoothly and allows for a quick response to any deviations. Damage to the insulation of reaction vessels and supply lines can be easily detected and localised using thermograms.

thermal imaging for predictive maintenance

Monitoring of Mechanical Assemblies

Thermal imaging helps to identify mechanical stress caused by pressure, tension and friction, even during very fast movements and from a safe distance. These types of stress are all associated with increased temperatures, which are easily recognisable in the thermogram. 

thermography for aerial photography

Plant Monitoring using Aerial Thermography

Equipped with an infrared camera and image-stabilising gimbal, helicopters, small aircraft or drones can reliably monitor overhead power lines or other extensive technical facilities.

Infrared image of a wind turbine

Inspection of Rotor Blades

Wind turbines are becoming increasingly important in energy generation. Thermal imaging enables inspecting the rotors during operation and from the ground.

InfraTec | Thermography in Casting, molten metal - Picture credits: @ iStock / Warut1

Plant Monitoring in Metal Industry

In addition to continuous quality control of melt, casting or forming processes, thermal imaging also allows safety-related monitoring of melt furnaces, moulds, etc.

Online Events On Demand: Infrared Cameras for Plant Inspec­tions

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

Applic­a­tions for Thermal Imaging on Wind Power Systems

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

  • Monitoring wind turbine power plants by (passive) thermography

  • Principle & methods of active thermography and examples

  • Technical Lecture “Inspection of Wind Turbine Blades with Ground-based Passive Thermography” from Michael Stamm, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM)

Request Recording

Case Studies for Plant Inspec­tions

Benefits of this Ther­mo­graphy Solu­tions in this Applic­a­tion

MicroScan feature ImageIR

Micro­Scan Function

Quadruple Geometrical Resolution

By using a fast-rotating MicroScan wheel, the number of pixels used can be quadrupled compared to the native pixel count of the FPA detector, significantly improving image quality.

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.

MicroScan feature ImageIR

Micro­Scan Function

Quadruple Geometrical Resolution

By using a fast-rotating MicroScan wheel, the number of pixels used can be quadrupled compared to the native pixel count of the FPA detector, significantly improving image quality.

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.

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.

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InfraTec GmbH Infrarotsensorik und MesstechnikGostritzer Straße 61 - 6301217 DresdenGERMANY

Public­a­tions by our Customers

Thermographic Software IRBIS® 3 report

Fast Reporting of Essen­tial Inspec­tion Results

A big advantage of infrared camera systems for companies is the easy handling and the low maintenance needs. Especially the cameras of the VarioCAM® HD series come with a rugged design making them most suitable for usage in rough industrial environments. The thermographic software IRBIS® 3 provides efficient analysis of thermographic data and reporting for the transfer of crucial inspection results.

Infrared Cameras for Plant Inspec­tion

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
Zoom Cameras

VarioCAM® HD Z security

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

Asso­ciated Indus­tries & Appli­ca­tions

thermal imaging in chemical industry

Chem­ical Industry

Continuous temperature monitoring ensures that chemical processes run smoothly and enables a rapid response to any deviations. Damage to the insulation of reaction vessels and supply lines can be easily detected and localized using thermograms.

thermal imaging in plastic industry

Plastics Industry

Cost-efficiently control die-casting and extrusion processes by means of infrared camera systems.

All branches and application areas