Many of our customers are faced with a bewildering choice of thermal imaging equipment. These range from low resolution units (as low as 256 pixels per image) to very high resolution cameras with nearly 80,000 pixels. To some extent one can equate resolution with price. Adequate resolution is important if the user is to use the image in a report for example. If the resolution is very low it can be very difficult to ascertain exactly where the hot spot is located even if a digital image is shown alongside the infrared one.

Other parameters to consider are whether you need temperature information on the image (radiometric), what temperature range is necessary, whether image storage is required and whether real time scanning is a must.

Both infrared camera ranges we supply (the IR Snapshot and the FLIR E2 series) are medium resolution (and medium price) and are targeted primarily at predictive maintenance applications. High temperature versions are also available.

If you’re visiting Maintec this year (18th to 20th March, Hall 10 NEC Birmingham) you’ll be able to see the FLIR E2 camera on our stand, which coincidentally is Stand E2.

We are also holding a series of seminars throughout the south of England, run jointly with FLIR Systems, which will cover both thermography and ultrasound demonstrations and presentations. Details are on the web site.

When it comes to determining whether to lubricate or not, ultrasound is probably the most effective technology for this application.

Why? Imagine a brand new bearing in tip-top condition. It has been installed properly and is given sufficient lubrication. As it moves around the raceway, the lubricant has evenly distributed the stress and has created a film to keep the bearing from coming into direct contact with other metal surfaces.

As time goes by and lubrication levels fall, the bearing will start to produce some minor friction and stress. This is not a vibratory displacement and will not be detected by standard vibration analysis. However this increased friction does produce a detectable change in ultrasound levels. Since ultrasound instruments heterodyne the high frequency, inaudible sounds down into the audible range, an operator can hear this change in headphones.

What's more, changes in amplitude (in dBs) can be observed on the meter. This makes it handy for those that have to determine when to lubricate.

Users of the Ultraprobe will probably be familiar with this concept. If you’re not, there are details of all the Ultraprobe range including the new Grease Caddy on the web site. Details of how to connect the Ultraprobe to vibration analysis equipment is also available from the site.

Ultrasound Training

The first Level 1 UK course held last year in Chester (very nice place) was a great success. There were 22 candidates attending the course. Companies who sent candidates were: Phillips Petroleum (now Conoco), 3M, BNFL Magnox, Kimberly Clark, Ondeo Nalco, Stafford Miller, Milliken Industries, EA Technology, Shell International, Landrover, Conoco, Van Den Bergh Oils, Cargill, AWE and Sun Valley Foods.

Congratulations to all participants on a 100% pass. We will be running another course, same venue in November... see web site for details here.

We can also offer Infrared Training to Level 1. The next course is 12th to 16th May. Venue and full details on web site here.

Solutia are a well known Chemical manufacturing site in South Wales with a diverse portfolio including water treatment chemicals and heat transfer fluids.

Generation efficiencies are the typical average of 10%. Each round is followed by a round of fixes in which typically 75% can be corrected at no cost. The unit in this application alone has paid for itself many times over. Whether you are looking to achieve lower unit costs or save under your Climate Change agreement, this unit is a must.

Thank you Keith. It's always good to receive your feedback on any product we have sold or rented. If you have a story that you would like to share with others in a future newsletter, please get in touch. In the meantime hope to see you on STAND E2 at Maintec NEC Hall 10 (18th - 20th March) if you can escape from the office.

Don’t forget that you can guesstimate compressed air losses using our charts. Go to here.

It is always good to receive your feedback on any product we have sold or rented. If you have a success story that you would like to share with others in a future newsletter, then please do get in touch.

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Contact Us - Jeremy Lineham, Mike Trim, Toni Simmonds, Jon Hill