Thermal imaging lenses are instrumental in identifying and quantifying heat sources. This has a wide range of uses in the construction, agriculture, security, and surveillance industries.
For example, in monitoring large electrical infrastructure, thermal imaging lenses help avoid catastrophe. Typically, before and electrical component fails, it begins to heat up. A thermal imaging lenses can monitor equipment for increases in temperature and alert the relevant personal when dangerous temperature thresholds are reached so that preventative maintenance can be performed, instead of retroactive replacement, which is far more expensive.
The benefits of thermal imaging lenses
First and foremost, the biggest benefit of thermal imaging lenses are their ability to operate in low-light conditions where lenses with normal CCD or CMOS sensors would struggle. This is particularly useful for security and surveillance, as night time conditions have no impact on the amount of energy an thermal imaging lenses detects.
Further, thermal imaging lenses can have explosive return on investment (ROI), even when compared to typical machine vision systems. In the example outlined above, a company could save an enormous amount through avoided downtime, repair costs, and the costs of new equipment. These costs pale in comparison to the cost of a thermal imaging lenses, creating incredible ROI.
Infrared imaging is unique in function when compared to traditional machine vision systems, but they have their own benefits in specific applications. Thermal imaging lenses are highly adept at detecting infrared energy for imaging beyond the visible spectrum of light.