Infrared Sensors Measure Component Temperature

Non-contact infrared temperature sensors from Micro-Epsilon are being used on medium- and high-frequency induction heaters to measure the temperature of metal components during heat treatment. The sensors were selected due to a range of factors, including low-cost, compactness and interchangability. Cheltenham Induction Heating has selected the Thermometer CTM1/M2 infrared temperature sensor from Micro-Epsilon for use across its range of induction heaters.

The company specialises in the design and manufacture of high-, medium- and low-frequency induction heating equipment, including all associated handling equipment and fixtures for use in industrial, scientific and medical applications. The induction heaters vary in size from 1kW versions up to large, floor-standing 500kW heaters, with larger custom-engineered systems available if required. These heaters are used by a number of industry sector customers, in applications where heat energy needs to be provided to a metal component or other magnetic material.

Applications include annealing, bonding, brazing, hardening, melting of metals, degassing and coating. In early 2009, one of Cheltenham's aerospace customers recommended it look at Micro-Epsilon as a possible supplier of infrared temperature sensors for induction heaters. Roger Grange, projects engineer at Cheltenham Induction Heating, said: 'As a machine builder, price is often a very sensitive issue for the customer. 'We found that Micro-Epsilon's Thermometer sensors were half the cost of our previous non-contact temperature sensors.

'The Thermometer sensors also provide us with technical advantages. 'The sensor head, for example, is more compact than our previous sensor, which enables us to mount them in confined spaces on our heaters. 'In addition, the separate controller can now be mounted well away from the sensor head and from the induction heating coil, using a 2m or 3m cable provided. 'This makes the installation safer and less prone to any interference or overheating. 'We've also found that the Micro-Epsilon sensors are easily interchangeable with other sensor types. 'For example, we can easily switch the output mode between 0-10V or simulate a K or J type thermocouple.

'The sensor is also capable of measuring temperatures from 250C up to 1,600C, which happens to cover most of our induction heater range,' he added. Grange said: 'The technical support, advice and guidance provided by Micro-Epsilon's engineers has been excellent. 'When we first started working with Micro-Epsilon, the company loaned us an infrared temperature sensor for a two-week period so that we could test its suitability for integration with our heaters,' he added. Typically, the infrared temperature sensors are mounted next to the copper coil tubing, adjacent to the component that requires heating.

The sensor is normally positioned at a distance of between 140mm and 300mm from the component, as long as the spot size remains small enough, otherwise temperature measurement accuracy will suffer. The Thermometer CTM1/2 sensors measure process temperatures from 250C up to 1,600C and so are ideal for use with metals, metal oxides, ceramics and composites. The sensors benefit from double precision laser sighting and a 40:1 or 75:1 optical resolution. Sensor response times are from 1ms. The sensor weighs 40g and the controller 420g. The Thermometer CTM1/M2 can be used in ambient temperatures of up to 100C without any cooling required and has an automatic laser switch-off at 50C.

The sensor measures at very short wavelengths (1.0-1.6micrometres), which minimises temperature measurement errors on surfaces with either low or unknown emissivity. A range of accessories and optional extras are available for the CTM1/M2 range, which protect the sensor in harsh operating environments. These include air purging accessories, K or J type thermocouples outputs and a range of integrated digital communications interfaces, including Profibus DP, CAN open, USB, RS232, RS485 and Ethernet.

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