Tips and Tricks with using IR cameras in Paper Mills, PaperCon 2010 Conference

Please Note: This document will be available in PDF format in the "My Electronic Documents" link on the home page once your order has been completed. Please make sure you have the latest version of Acrobat Reader. Click on the Acrobat Reader icon to check for the latest version, it’s FREE. To print a hardcopy of a PDF file correctly you must have a postscript printer. If you are not sure if your printer is a postscript printer please refer to your owner’s manual.

IR cameras can be used in paper mills to find web profile issues, steam leaks, and machine hot spots. The IR camera needs to be set up for proper image capturing. Once an image is captured the thermographer needs to know how to interpret the temperature variances.

• First, the thermographer needs proper tools to calibrate the IR camera for capturing images. Proper reference temperatures and humidity can be set using a relative humidity gauge, a piece of aluminum foil, and a piece of cardboard. Some other tools can be used to set the distance from the target area.
• Second, the thermographer needs to use the proper angle to the target. Also, the camera also needs to be in focus for the image to be of any value.
• Finally, the thermographer needs to interpret the image. Some knowledge of the paper machine is required to make a correct interpretation or ask the proper questions to come to the correct conclusion. Other tools may be needed for additional information as well.