Research and Development

Thermo Guard’s infrared cameras can detect temperature differences as small as 0.1ºF. This level of sensitivity is ideal for a variety of scientific applications. Our trained engineers are available to provide thermal infrared analysis support for each project. Thermo Guard can also acquire infrared data for use in engineering and product development analyses. Other applications include scientific studies, modeling, process manufacturing, product development, fundamental scientific research, and laboratory work, such as biomedical analysis and bioengineering experiments.

Applications
• Process manufacturing experiments
• Product development
• Fundamental scientific research
• Biomedical engineering research and development
• Field studies
• Chemical and coatings experiments
• Welding and soldering studies
• Corrosion studies
• Forensic analysis
• Preservation studies
• Agriculture studies

Benefits of Testing
• Achieve experimental goals by developing new methodologies with infrared imaging. New techniques or approaches using infrared can yield results not visible to the naked eye

• Acquires infrared data for engineering and product development analyses. Scientific studies or modeling often use infrared imaging
to increase product efficiency and reliability

• Provides real-time feedback for biomedical studies, where accuracy and speed are critical

• Offers many other uses. Infrared imaging has a wide range of applications, from visualizing the thermal pattern of a heating device to mapping the thermal expansion of a knee injury


Biomedical Analysis

Vent: The above image shows a warm home ceiling vent during the winter. A profile line has been placed across the diameter of the vent analyze the temperature variation along its profile. The profile plot (red line) can be seen below the image where you can see the symmetry of the heat signature. The analysis software can map the heat profile and provide the min, max, and average temperature along the profile line.

Process Management

Infrared imaging is well known and used in the electrical, roofing, and predictive maintenance fields, however, infrared analysis has recently gained acceptance in many diverse industries and processes to observe anomalies normally invisible to the naked eye. Research and development of new products and methods to increase productivity are paramount for corporations to grow and remain competitive in the global market. The rubber industry is currently utilizing infrared image acquisition and analysis to optimize mixing processes and observe temperature variations due to non-homogenous mixing or changes in viscosity. The principal concern of mixing temperature variations is the lack of dispersion of applied bonding chemicals that are temperature dependant

	Tire Rotation: Friction generates heat and when tires are rolling along the highway they can generate too. Tire manufactures and chemical engineers are very interested in how a tire heats up and how it cools down. Areas that have a tendency to retain heat could affect the bonding of the various plies.
	Here we have a tire placed on a rotating device running at a nominal speed. The top image was taken just as it started to rotate. The bottom image was taken just at the point when the tire was stopped. You can clearly see the difference in the temperature profile of both images, where the bottom image has a higher average temperature. Although the tire sidewall heated uniformly the are closest to the rim had the highest temperature.

Analysis of mold and platen temperature anomalies

	Here is a prime example of a mold that has a non uniform temperature distribution. Variation of this magnitude could severely impact the quality of the final processed product.
	Just by observing the visible image you can not tell how well the mold is performing. Problem arise when the final product fails to cure correctly.

Thermal map of uniformly heated platen

	This electrically heated platen is very uniform across the entire surface. The cross hatch marks are etched for demo purposes to show the different areas that are actively monitored with internal thermal couples. The hot spots you see in each quadrant are surface thermal couples for demo purposes and would not normally be present .
		Analysis of average area, spot and profile temperatures proves the efficiency of the platen's ability to consistently hold its set temperature.

Semi Uniform Platen

	This platen shows a slight variation across the surface, but in most cases this would be a minor issue.
This is an example of some of the types of data analysis Thermo Guard can perform for various customers. Thermal maps of this type are an extremely important visual tool to make quick thermal comparisons from one area to another.