Recent events of interest to Thermosense VIII attendees will be discussed. This includes training programs, conferences, standards, significant articles, and professional group activities.

NAIRTA formed in 1982, has gone through a transition that has left some thermographers and members of the infrared community confused and upset as to the intentions and objectives of the association.

Abuses, although rare, do occur in the field of infrared thermography. Qualitative analysts may misinterpret hot and cold areas as a result of inexperience. Improper quantitative analyses may result from poor or outdated calibration, misunderstanding of the radiation heat transfer process and misapplication of instruments. Certification may be necessary in the future. Guidelines are presented to help potential customers choose an infrared service or instrument.

Thermographic services from qualified practitioners provide remarkable value to users. The power of the thermographic method and ready availability of equipment have also led a number of unqualified people into the service business. The manifestations and causes of poor quality work are discussed. Possible solutions are suggested.

The detection of blocked surface cooling holes in hollow jet engine turbine blades and vanes during either manufacture or overhaul can be crucial to the integrity and longevity of the parts when in service. A fully automated infrared inspection system is being established under a tri-service's Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) contract administered by the Air Force to inspect these surface cooling holes for blockages. The method consists of viewing the surface holes of the blade with a scanning infrared radiometer when heated air is flushed through the blade. As the airfoil heats up, the resultant infrared images are written directly into computer memory where image analysis is performed. The computer then makes a determination of whether or not the holes are open from the inner plenum to the exterior surface and ultimately makes an accept/reject decision based on previously programmed criteria. A semiautomatic version has already been implemented and is more cost effective and more reliable than the previous manual inspection methods.

This paper discusses a new technique to locate voids in high conductivity materials such as metals. Heat is applied parallel to the target surface (perpendicular to viewing direction). A thermal contour display (produced by a thermal imaging system) of the material under test shows a distinct "pinch" produced by a void. This thermal pinch is persistent and is not always destroyed by high lateral conductivity. This new technique promises to open a whole new realm of thermographic applications.

Measuring the laser energy required to ignite pyrotechnic pellets is complicated by several factors that are difficult to control or predict. These include reflection of part of the incident laser energy, reemission from the heated sample, and heat conduction away from the ignition site. In addition to these factors, it is often difficult to control and/or measure the incident laser power. High-speed thermographic recording of the temperature distribution in the test sample makes it possible to calculate the heat content of the test pellet at any instant. Thus, one can actually observe the laser heating and on-set of reaction in the pellet and avoid having to make measurements or assumptions to account for possible energy losses.

Plasma spray systems are used to deposit high temperature materials on substrates to form coatings. Thermal analysis of these systems will assist in determining spray parameters for different materials. Infrared videothermography was used to measure temperature profiles and particle velocities of these plasma spray systems. Thermal gradients were defined, and an equatorial temperature profile was estimated. Changes in particle velocities were determined, and the thermal effect of particles on the plasma during spraying was observed. The thermography system was able to investigate high temperature plasmas above 15,000°C, study particle movements, and analyze flame profiles.

Balloons containing methane-oxygen mixtures were detonated to simulate ordinance fireballs. To establish fireball characteristics, analyses were required of reacting temperatures, thermal profiles, and mixing patterns of the methane-oxygen products with the atmosphere. Infrared videothermography measured and recorded the detonation and gas cloud mixing. Image digitization and in-band energy calculations were done to compare reaction parameters for different balloon tests.

On-line non-contact temperature measurement in industrial process application have long been the domain of single point radiometers. With increasing requirements on production efficiency, process automation and on-line quality control, industrial users are rapidly realizing the need for temperature profiles as well as two-dimensional thermal monitoring of their product, in order to better control production lines. The author recognizes this trend and suggests that existing thermographic systems cannot simply be "put on-line" to meet these needs. Specific on-line IR technology and know-how has to be utilized and specific testing methods be defined for determining the capabilities of a particular thermographic system for continuous monitoring and control. Fortunately, appropriate testing methodologies do already exist and can easily be implemented by the potential user himself. Experiences gained with a newly introduced thermographic line-scanner is used to illustrate typical measurement problems encountered in the heavy process industries and how these are solved using appropriate application-dedicated hardware and software.

Some infrared sensing techniques for the industrial quality control of composite or stratified materials are described. The surface of the material is heated, typically by a coherent or incoherent light source, and the surface temperature evolution is monitored either by a single-spot infrared detector or by an infrared camera. Subsurface thermal discontinuities are detected by an analysis of the recorded signal. Signal-processing techniques using reference-subtraction either in the space- or in the time-domain are described which are particularly well-suited to the industrial inspection environment. Experimental results obtained with aluminum-plastics, aluminum-aluminum, and graphite--epoxy laminates are described.

A description of observations made on test performed on V-belt drives and a form of synchronous belt drive the HTD using a thermal video image system. How infrared viewing can improve temperature reading and recording in drive efficiency and belt life testing. Projections on new application areas for infrared in belt development and marketing.

The ability to monitor the spot welding process and provide a real time inspection is of interest to the automotive, aircraft, and aircraft turbine industries. A series of experiments was performed using the infrared radiometer during the welding operation when welding coated and uncoated automotive gage steels. It has been determined that the isotherm radiated at the electrode/base material surface contains apometric information that can be used in the detection of the weld nugget and its quality. Weld nugget measurement and tensile shear tests results show good correlation between isotherm geometry, weld joint strength, and weld nugget size.

An infrared imaging system has been employed to measure the thermal response of the printhead electrodes during resistive ribbon thermal transfer printing. This has proven to be a versatile tool for fast non-contact high spatial resolution temperature measurement, providing valuable information on the thermal stress upon the head materials and on the amount of energy flowing into the head during printing.

Thermography is certainly not a new science. For several decades, thermal imagers have been used to evaluate the performance of industrial systems and to diagnose problems which manifest themselves through the propagation of heat patterns. Many different types of thermal imagers have been produced to satisfy the requirements of a wide variety of applications. This paper discusses the design requirements and parameters of thermal imaging systems developed specifically for industrial applications, particularly those involving electronic device testing. It discusses the performance criteria required in thermography systems to adequately conduct conformance testing of electronic components and assemblies. The integration of thermography systems with other functional test equipment and with peripheral devices is reviewed, and the use of these systems in present and future industrial applications is discussed. Emphasis is placed on the cost effective use of thermography to improve yield, enhanced system reliability and provide the capability for developing performance documentation.

A laser solder-joint inspection system supplied by Vanzetti Systems, Inc., is being evaluated at the Electronics Manufacturing Productivity Facility of the Naval Weapons Center, China Lake, Calif. The automated inspection system determines solder joint quality by measuring the radiation emitted from a solder joint after laser stimulation. This paper describes the theory of operation of the system, discusses its strengths and limitations, and suggests possible modifications that might increase applicability of the system to a variety of inspection processes and needs.

Due to the large numbers of equipment and components in their systems, compared to the number of employees, utilities have had little opportunity other than to react to the smoke maintenance call. When there was smoke the result was usually a power outage, followed by costly repairs or a more costly equipment replacement. Northeast Utilities recognized this problem, and over the past twenty (20) years has developed, refined and expanded an aggressive approach combating and resolving this problem. This approach was and is centered around an intensive infrared inspection, in cooperation with an ambitious preventative maintenance, program. This paper will trace the development of infrared programs from the initial investigation thru the expanded two-man program.

Thermographic inspection of utility systems is a well established procedure with a high payback to the user. The procedures appear to be deceptively simple and straightforward, which sometimes leads to poor inspections. Parameters which must be considered to achieve good results are-solar loading, circuit loading, target size and target emittance. These factors and their effects on inspections of various systems are discussed.

Infrared Thermography, as applied to substation equipment, overhead lines and pole-top mounted equipment, provides an invaluable predictive and preventativ maintenance tool. The ability of infrared to provide early detection of faults allows the scheduling of repair work, during normal working hours, to be completed prior to extensive damage occurring. Since the work is prescheduled, the repairs are accomplished in a shorter time span and the materials replaced are less extensive. Therefore, power outages, down times, repair material and man hours spent on emergency repairs are significantly reduced, thereby reducing the overall maintenance program costs. This paper will focus on the application of Infrared Thermography to inspect transformers and will describe the survey techniques applied.

The use of infra-red technology has added a new dimension to test results when applied to electric motor tests. These tests can now be positively classified, and the results are no longer subject to debate.

The current economic and political climate does not favor the construction of new power plants. Many utilities are currently considering life extension of existing plants. There is also a definite lack of expansion on the industrial side for similar reasons. More emphasis is now being placed on predictive and preventive maintenance programs as one part of the solution to this problem. How infrared thermography fits into these programs is described here.

The thermographic analysis techniques developed for processing of data from the Shuttle Infrared Leeside Temperature Sensing (SILTS) experiment are discussed. The SILTS experiment will obtain high-spatial-resolution infrared images of the leeside of the Space Shuttle Orbiter during atmospheric entry by means of a scanning infrared radiometer located atop the orbiter's vertical stabilizer. Comprehensive analysis of the SILTS thermography requires accurate consideration of all those factors (such as geometry of the observed surfaces, local surface emissivity, solar radiation, and other potential sources of image degradation) which may potentially affect the output of the infrared radiometer. An overview of the entire data processing procedure and brief descriptions of the data processing algorithms are presented.

While, on its face, thermal imaging for the nuclear power industry bears little difference from infrared imaging for the industrial complex, as a whole in so far as equipment, trained personnel, and technique, are concerned), there are vast differences with regard to access, training, and movement within a nuclear facility. For the uninitiated, working inside of a nuclear power plant can be a series of frustrations, fraught with time wasting periods of training, classes, and seminars,-interspers with an unending line of meetings and project planning sessions. For those used to working within the system, the experience can be of of tre mendous satisfaction in undertaking, and successfully completing a project under some very difficult circumstances.

Thermal Imaging and Measurement Service is a reliable and efficient non-destructive inspection which has helped numerous customers reduce maintenance and repair costs, shorten downtime and improve performance at nuclear/fossil power plants. This paper will describe two applications, the qualification of Mineral Insulation (MI) Cable, and Furnace Tube Inspection. The examples given above were chosen to show the capabilities of the Thermal Imaging and Measurement Service, the diversity of the application, and the techniques required to obtain meaningful information.

Air infiltration into the condenser of a steam power plant can reduce the efficiency of the plant. This occurs when the air occupies space in the condenser volume. If the system cannot make full use of the total energy contained in the steam, the efficiency of the plant is drastically reduced. This reduces the output of the plant for the same input costs. Simply put, this means dollars lost. Certain areas have been explored which are compatible with the application of thermographic instruments. The important note here is that thermography can be effective in the reduction of condenser air infiltration when used in an integrated program with traditional methods.

Infrared testing of electrical equipment is recommended as a substitute for various types of conventional preventative maintenance procedures. Use of the infrared alternative will reduce maintenance costs, minimize maintenance down-time and enhance equipment reliability. Case studies illustrate the superior problem finding capabilities and substantial cost savings provided by infrared inspections of electrical equipment.

Every day, the newspapers, radio and television news programs share with us stories of massive frauds, frauds such as our government being grossly overcharged by various defense contractors; reports of insider trading on the stock market; or how a major firm has admitted to "kiting" checks because it could make money on the "float." It is not unusual for such frauds to involve millions of dollars.

An image processing system has been coupled to both a thermographic and a video camera to quantify defects from images of building materials. Several applications to building materials are presented including the detection of delaminations in single-ply roofing membrane seams, the characterization of the extent of corrosion under pigmented organic coatings on metallic substrates, the determination of the roughness of a sand-blasted metallic substrate, and the determination of the porosity in hardened cement paste.

New Jersey has become the first state to specify infrared thermographic building diagnostic surveys of State buildings. Concern over high energy consumption and the inability to maintain comfortable temperatures within the Justice Complex, Trenton, New Jersey, led to a thermographic survey of the building. The results of this thermographic survey revealed significant deficiencies in the thermal envelope of the structure. This raised further questions about the thermal integrity of other new building construction for the state. It has been specified that all new buildings presently under construction for the State of New Jersey, within the Capitol of Trenton, must have a thermographic survey prior to the State's occupancy. Within the construction industry, standards and monitoring methods exist for every element of the building, except the thermal envelope. Through the use of infrared thermography, the State of New Jersey proposes to develop standards and test methods by which the thermal integrity of the building envelope may be monitored. One goal in the development of these standards is to produce a quantitative thermographic report. Such a report would identify deficiencies in the thermal envelope, their origin and significance. These standards will utlimately lead to more thermally efficient buildings and reduced energy costs.