New ultra-high resolution thermography camera

For the first time a thermographic camera with a 1024 x 768 pixel sensor array has been introduced to the market by InfraTec GmbH of Dresden, Germany. The new VarioCAM® HD range, available in the UK from Armstrong Optical Ltd., delivers over 2.5 times more spatial resolution than the VarioCAM® hr camera range, which when coupled with a thermal resolution of less than 0.03°C and temperature measurment range of -40°C to +1200°C allows the professional thermographer to operate with unprecedented capability and efficiency in an extensive range of scenarios.

Unlike some cameras that use software to “enhance” spatial resolution the VarioCAM® HD uses a proven optomechanical Microscan function to provide a 3.1M pixel (2,048 x 1,536) resolution. The Microscan function has been used very successfully for many years in the VarioCAM® hr cameras and offers more accurate and trustworthy results than software interpolation. It operates by utilising a mechanical two-dimensional nanostage pixel shift technique. The camera captures multiple images by mechanically shifting the complete sensor array in the X- and Y-directions, and then combining those images to generate a final output image with enhanced resolution. The most significant benefit of this pixel shift technique, in comparison with fixed sensor cameras, is its ability to acquire images with four times higher resolution.

Other features on the VarioCAM® HD camera include an integrated 5.6″ colour TFT display, 8M pixel camera, laser rangefinder and GPS. Still images and radiometric video sequences can be stored internally on fast SDHC cards or transferred via a GigE-Vision interface to a PC at frame rates of up to 240Hz.

As standard, the VarioCAM® HD includes software features such as mixing and cross-fading the real time thermal and visible images, voice recording and text annotation, wireless camera control and data acquisition via WLAN and many other capabilities that ensure easy operation in any demanding environment.

According to Ian Johnstone, Sales & Marketing Director of Armstrong Optical: “……for anyone involved with the professional thermography and who wants to deliver the most accurate and reliable thermographic results, the VarioCAM® HD will soon pay back the investment as it is a camera that leaves all others floundering in its wake…….”

Ian Johnstone

Armstrong Optical Ltd., 31 Caxton House, Northampton Science Park, Kings Park Road, Northampton NN3 6LG United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 1604 654220, Fax: +44 (0) 1604 654221

email: info@armstrongoptical.co.uk,  Web: www.armstrongoptical.co.uk