Flir Systems' P640 infared camera - seeing is believing

Specifically designed in conjunction with professional thermographers, the newly released ThermaCAM P640 infrared camera is the result of an ongoing collaboration between the industry and FLIR Systems, the global leader in IR cameras and technology.

The P640 is the first handheld infrared camera with an uncooled infrared Detector producing extremely high quality images of 640 X 480 array.

"Effectively, it means you can be twice as far away from the subject - for added safety - and still measure with complete accuracy, while having the advantage of seeing an image four times greater compared to a 320 X 240 array camera," said Roger Christiansz, FLIR Systems (Australia) Managing Director.

For professionals working with infrared cameras several hours every day, the P640 provides the very best working environment possible delivering a complete infrared solution.

The ThermaCAM P640 is the most professional system available whether you are an infrared consultant, a thermography expert at a utility provider or in the manufacturing industry, building industry or in research and development.

The P640 offers the flexibility needed for many different inspection situations including:

• Detecting loose connections.
• Spotting overheated cable connections.
• Detecting leaking voltage in a power cable.
• Oxidising high voltage switches.
• Badly secured connections.
• Defective insulators.
• Overheated motors.
• Overheated electrical circuitry.

If a thermal anomaly even exists, especially if you're looking at small or distant targets, the new high definition 640 X 480 array Detector in the P640 can make the difference between seeing ­ or not seeing.

The P640's superior image quality also allows the professional thermographer to see much more image detail to pinpoint or diagnose the nature of a problem. More pixels mean greater temperature measurement accuracy. To the professional thermographer, this means clear, practical benefits and a strong competitive advantage.

The P640 is packed with advanced, user friendly features to help capture the highest quality thermal images. Completely new interchangeable lenses have been developed that further enhance the camera's ability to capture distant targets in high detail or view close up targets with a wide field of view. The camera can record full radiometric video sequences for inspecting moving targets such as motors or conveyor belts. In-camera play-back allows for an on-site review without the need for a PC.

The new camera also includes an interchangeable 1.3 megapixel visual camera, a large, swivel-mount, 5.6" colour LCD, tiltable viewfinder and a 3-hour battery - all in a rugged lightweight magnesium package that weighs less than cameras with a fraction of the resolution and performance features.

Some other key P640 features include:

• Hot spot marker on the visual image.
• Manual and autofocus.
• Up to 8x digital zoom with pan.
• Storage of infrared video clips.
• Simultaneous on-screen live and reference image.
• Text and voice annotations.
• Wireless communication (lrDA).
• Colour and sound alarms.
• Seamless integration into professional software.

Roger Christiansz: "Professionals who stake their reputations and their livelihoods on the accuracy of their findings and the quality of their IR reports, rely utterly on the accuracy and quality of their FLIR Systems cameras. The P640 is for them.

"With this unmatched, highly advanced infrared thermal imaging camera in hand, professional thermographers have a lot to be excited about. High Definition Infrared has arrived and will quickly become the new industry standard for infrared reporting," he said.

Completing the 640 range FLIR also announced the release of the ThermaCAM B640 specifically for building inspectors and the SC640 for research and development.

The B640 features the 640 X 480 array Detector and can measure temperatures from -40 degrees C up to +120 degrees C. The SC640 model incorporates features such as real-time radiometric image storage and ThemaCAM Researcher software for detailed static or real-time infrared image analysis.

About Infrared Cameras
Infrared cameras detect and measure heat which develops in virtually all electrical, electronic or mechanical applications. Applied on a regular basis, thermal imaging improves product output quality and avoids cost-intensive failure of equipment and systems. High energy costs and relevant energy efficiency legislation drives the application of infrared cameras in the building sector for HVAC issues and building substance assessments.

About FLIR Systems
FLIR Systems is the world leader in the design and manufacturing of infrared cameras in use worldwide for applications including maintenance, product research and development, process monitoring, building inspection and many others.

FLIR Systems has four manufacturing plants located in the USA and Sweden and operates direct sales and service offices in 12 countries including Australia. The company numbers more than 1400 dedicated infrared specialists and services international markets through a network of regional offices providing sales and support functions.