Solving High-Speed Automotive Testing Challenges

FLIR Systems has published a white paper that discusses how new Infrared (IR) camera technologies are providing engineers and technicians with the tools they need to address the difficulties of high-speed automotive testing.

Product research and development on internal combustion engines, brake rotors and tires, and high- speed airbags are discussed as just a few of the areas that could truly benefit from high speed, high sensitivity thermal characterization testing. Measuring temperature on objects that are moving fast is challenging. Traditional forms of temperature measurement such as thermocouples are not practical for systems in motion. Non-contact forms of temperature measurement such as spot pyrometers lack the fast response rates necessary to take accurate readings on fast moving objects or to thermally characterize a high-speed target accurately. In addition, infrared cameras with uncooled detectors are also unable to measure temperature accurately at extreme high speeds.

Without the appropriate tools for adequate thermal measurement and testing, automotive design engineers can lose time and efficiency, and risk missing defects that lead to dangerous products and expensive recalls.

The authors of the white paper discuss how in order to visualize and take accurate temperature readings on extremely fast-moving targets, you need a cooled thermal camera with a short exposure time and fast frame rate. This white paper explores thermal and quantum detector types, a camera’s ability to synchronize and trigger to external events, the importance of high sensitivity and the advantages of Longwave Infrared (LWIR) measurements.

The white paper concludes that next generation LWIR camera technologies may offer automotive engineers a solution. These cameras incorporate 640 x 512-pixel high resolution detectors that can capture images at a rate of 1000 frames per second. In addition, using Strained Layer Superlattice (SLS) detectors, these cameras offer wide temperature ranges with a combination of great uniformity and quantum efficiency beyond that of traditional MCT and QWIP detector materials. These new technologies, plus the ability to synchronize and trigger remotely, give engineers and technicians the tools they need to address the difficulties of high-speed automotive testing.

To download a full copy of this white paper please visit https://www.flir.co.uk/discover/rd-science/next-generation-ir-technologies-solve-high-speed-automotive-testing-challenges/ or contact FLIR Systems on +32-3665-5100 / research@flir.com.

FLIR Systems, Inc. is a world leader in the design, manufacture, and marketing of sensor systems that enhance perception and awareness. FLIR’s advanced thermal imaging and threat detection systems are used for a wide variety of imaging, thermography, and security applications, including airborne and ground-based surveillance, condition monitoring, research and development, manufacturing process control, search and rescue, drug interdiction, navigation, transportation safety, border and maritime patrol, environmental monitoring, and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) detection. For more information, go to FLIR’s web site at www.FLIR.com.