Fidelity for perfection in thermal imaging

Q. Kindly update us regarding FLIR Global and India Operations.

FLIR is a NASDAQ listed company having head office in USA. Globally, FLIR did a business of around USD 1.8 Billion (approx. INR 12,600 Crore, as per current USD/INR rate). IN 2018, our revenue grew organically by 6% as compared to 2017. We see ourselves as the World’s sixth Sense at FLIR, as we provide superpower vision, helping people around the world save lives, protect the environment and enhance productivity. We’re building more than innovative technologies; we’re striving to build a more sustainable, more efficient, safer future. Talking about India operations, we have a wide range of products under our Instruments portfolio which are available in India through our very strong channel partners, all of them have trained technical teams to provide best services to our potential/existing customers.We have hundreds of happy customers all over India which include electrical utilities, different manufacturing companies, service providers and integrators. To help these customers use our products effectively, we have online/ frequent offline training courses in India. Our service center is also set up in Delhi.

Q. What range of products do you offer to the manufacturing Sector?

The manufacturing sector is one of our main customers for FLIR globally, including India. We have hundreds of products for these customers. Almost all type of manufacturing sites use and need our products. Manufacturing companies face frequent problem of critical installations getting heated up. The moment this heating phenomenon starts, temperature starts rising and FLIR thermal imaging cameras play a very important role there. Without touching or taking shut down, these FLIR thermal cameras can accurately measure the temperature of these installations. From motors, valves, electrical contact points, belts , pipes to other electrical equipment to many other critical installations, FLIR products meet and exceed all expectations.

We have different ranges of thermal cameras for offline (handheld) and Online ( fixed type) use. Under the offline thermal cameras range, our starting model is the world’s first pocket sized Thermal Camera, the FLIR C3. Other models are point and shoot TG-series, Ex-series, Exx-series for experienced users and for professional users the T-series which has a unique feature of tiltable optics. Under online offerings, we have our automation portfolio which has fixed type of cameras for 24×7 temperature monitoring. These products can be integrated with computers for real time temperature monitoring. Main applications broadly include automated inspections, process control, condition monitoring and fire prevention detection. Almost 9 types of camera families (and 30 plus different products) are available under this fixed type range for different applications to suit customer needs. FLIR also has a test & measurement range, which include multimeters, clamp meters, insulation testers, thermometers and voltage detectors. Selected models have FLIR’s unique, Infrared Guided Measurement (IGM) through Infrared detector that guides you straight to the problem, visualizes the heat generated by electrical faults, and accurately measures the temperature. Extech is also a FLIR company under which we provide 400 plus different products for applications like electrical, plant maintenance, health & safety, HVAC, lab and water quality are available. Extech is also ISO 9001:2015 company having 50 years of experience. In India, we cover the complete range of Extech products.

Q. Any new products from FLIR Instruments in 2019?

Yes, we launched many products recently in Feb 2019 targeting manufacturing/ utilities. Here are the details:-

• New TG275 for the automotive sector. This product has temperature measurement capability of 550 Deg C and the screen size is 2.3 inches. Detector resolution is 160 x 120. This is really a powerful tool for automotive repair and maintenance professionals.
• New Ex range: we have upgraded our very popular point and shoot range of thermal cameras. The new series is named- Ex XT. It has extended temperature ranges up to 550 Deg C.
• New T840- our world famous rotating optical block design has a new member in its family- T840. This power packed product has 464 x 368 resolution detector with view finder and an option to attach 6 Deg Lens. This new product comes with improved MSX features which makes the image crisp and clear. This product got very good feedback immediately on release.

• GF 77- This is FLIR’s first uncooled Gas visualizing camera. This unit can visualize Methane from a safe distance. This product is very useful for city gas distribution companies and for detecting Methane leaks in and around Landfills.
• Thermal Studio- new advanced Software for analyzing images and creating reports.

This new software has many new features like :-

• Quick report generation from Library
• Fully standalone reporting without need of MS Office,
• Import & Export formulas to your Formula manager that you can use in your report template
• Magic Wand measurement tool-which automatically detects area of interest.
• Filters on SEQ and CSQ files
• Free rotation and cropthis is very useful tool when someone takes an image from wrong angle.
• Batch editing- It can Batch edit large number of images/videos in just a few clicks
• Supports MP4 Video playback from selected camears.
• Video clip segment selection
• Supports Geolocation and live mapview

Q. Any case studies explaining successful usage of products?

This list is very long as we have hundreds of satisfied customers worldwide. More details are available on our website.
Few names and brief details mentioned below:-

• Air Atlanta Aero Engineering-
• ArcelorMittal, South Africa
• Heathrow Airport, London

Q. What do you think is the future of this technology?

Since heat is everywhere and this product can visualize and measure very small change in temperature-Imagination is the only limit to use this technology. I believe the best for FLIR is yet to come !

Q. Many of our readers know you well, for new ones, kindly tell us about yourself.

I am a graduate Engineer with degree of B.E in Electronics and Communication. I did my management course from IIM, Calcutta and have more than 25 years of work experience. I am responsible for Sales of Instruments division of FLIR in Emerging countries.