By Jason Gagnon
ITC Technical Support Manager

The Image Description feature allows you to annotate images in the field with predefined text labels from a Text Comment File. This file can be easily created using Reporter 7 and downloaded to the camera prior to performing the scan. All text stored in the camera will automatically transfer to Reporter 7. These instructions will explain how to create the TCF and download it to the camera...

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At last year's AutoTherm Conference three thermographers were recognized for their hard work and contributions to the industry. Entrants submitted reports showing examples of their work which were judged based on the Images, complete description, analysis and cost avoidance.

A TOPGUN, Marksman and Sharpshooter were awarded to the top three.

                       
Left: TOPGUN - Steve Moore from Visteon in Milan, MI.
Center: Marksman - Tommy Ramey from FORD Kentucky Truck in Louisville, KY.
Right: Sharpshooter - Andrzej Oscilowicz from GM Powertrain Engineering in Warren, MI

AutoTherm is an annual event held in Detroit, MI for thermographers serving the Auto industry to learn about the latest infrared applications and equipment. This one day conference was attended by more than 180 thermographers and is one of the largest Infrared Conferences in the world.

Straight from the World Wide Web, here is what's going on in the world of infrared thermography.

• Students fashion land mine detector from toy
  Montgomery Advertiser, AL - Jan 3, 2006
  ... But with various wires running from here to there and a soon-to-be-installed infrared camera mounted to a Fisher-Price Power Wheels jeep, it may get the job ...

• Experts Go High-Tech to Find Missing Dog
  WLTX.com, SC - Jan 2, 2006
  owners in May of 2004 and has been spotted repeatedly in the woods around Candia. an infrared camera as he approaches one of his feeding areas. ...

• Assessing Augustine
  KTVA, AK - Dec 29, 2005
  ... Thermal imaging of the summit area using FLIR, or a Forward Looking Infrared Radiometer, confirmed the presence of new, high-temperature fumeroles, or steam ...
  
   

• A New Tool in Women's Health
  KVAL, OR - Dec 29, 2005
  ... She's quick to note, that digital thermal imaging may be an exciting new technology, it doesn't provide all the answers to breast health questions. ...

• Infrared Image Gallery
  tempsensor.net, PA - Dec 26, 2005
  ... to pin-point trouble. A decision was made to use infrared thermography to determine the reason for overheating. After taking a thermal ...

• US Olympians treated to best technology
  Monterey County Herald, CA - Dec 26, 2005
  ... I was toast by the race.". • In biomechanics and engineering, researchers use thermal imaging to help athletes deal with inflammation. ...

• Ghost train a chilling ride
  Glasgow Evening Times, UK - Dec 23, 2005
  ... science. Dr Hoyle measured how frightened the children were before and after they went on the ride using a thermal imaging camera. ...

• Surge in panda science begets giant surprise
  Dallas Morning News (subscription), TX - Dec 18, 2005
  ... San Diego scientists are experimenting with a technique called thermal imaging, measuring whether a mother's blood flow is increasing, which is one sign of a ...

• Houston, Texas Petrochemicals agree to cut emissions
  Houston Chronicle, United States - Dec 9, 2005
  ... if the company is meeting its obligations, to send immediate e-mail alerts to city officials of heightened releases and to use an infrared camera as a routine ...

Here is a selection of recent new threads by IR Community members. Feel free to click the links, see how people have responded, and post your own response if you like.

• Frostbite
  I have been trying to using IR as a prospective tool early prognosis of the 'line of demarcation' between viable and nonviable tissue, so far my study is based on animal studies. Literature of this specific study hard to come by especially in my country India, Where cases of mountaineering frostbite is ample. I would be delighted if someone could help me out......

• British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing Certification for Thermography and ISO 18436
  I'd appreciate comment on the BINDT Certification for Thermography and also ISO 18436...

• Fly Over Steam Line Survey
  Does ASNT (or any other industry recognized authority) have a written recommendation on how to perform an infra red study on a large steam distribution system using a fly over? Is there a standard that I can follow to quote as the normally accepted format? And if so what is it and where can I get a copy to use?

• Camera settings?
  I have a couple of questions for thermographers: Do you change your default settings?; Do you care about quantitative data?; Were you handed the camera, sent to Level I, and expected to be an expert when you got back?
  The reason I am asking these questions is that there have been several images posted on these message boards that have been taken with the camera's default settings. If the settings don't matter why is so much time spent teaching us about them and the effects settings can have on data?...

• Emissivity Tables
  Does any one have Emissivity Tables for Insulators & powerline hardware. Am about to do some IR powerline fault detection & was after the emissivity values to use.My Power Grid operator can not supply this info.

And of course if YOU have a question or want to start a discussion on a topic, we would love to hear from you. Just post a new thread on a message board.

Brainteaser of the Month 

Here is this month's brainteaser. Readers who email us the correct identification and explanation of the thermal pattern in the thermogram are entered into a drawing to win a prize from ITC.

Please put "Brainteaser" as the subject of the message.

Click here to email your guess

Do you have an interesting image that you think would challenge other thermographers? If so please email me your image (preferably in native .img, .jpg, .tif, .tgw, or .tmw format) with an accompanying visible photo and explanation. If your image is used, you receive a gift as well.

Last Month's Brainteaser

No it's not a Christmas ornament, last month's brainteaser is an image of Killdeer (a bird) eggs in the gravel at an electrical substation.

Congratulations to our end of the year winner, Gary Swift, from GE Energy Services Bently Nevada who nailed this one perfectly (including the bird species!); and to our thermogram contributor, Phil Conte from Maplewood Testing Services. They both receive low emissivity traveling coffee mugs.

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