New Fluke Lenses Bring Different Worlds of Infrared Inspections Into Much Sharper Focus

Fluke's Sat Sandhu (seated) explains the intricacies of his company's new lens offerings.

Fluke is masterful when it comes to rolling out technologies and thought-provoking topics for industry. Take, for example, the recent information-packed “Measure of Innovation Summit” at the company’s headquarters in Everett, WA.

I was just one of the many invited attendees (including end-users, consultants, thought-leaders from across industry and editors) treated to displays and demonstrations of almost too many fascinating technologies to count. Among those that caught my eye (and plenty did), were new 25 micron macro and 4x telephoto pre-calibrated lenses that really do extend the company’a already far-reaching capabilities in the infrared arena.

As Fluke’s Sat Sandhu (shown in the above photo) reminded us, infrared inspections often involve analyzing temperature variations on something extremely small or too far away to see needed detail using standard lenses. In the words of the company, its two new lenses “bring those worlds into sharper focus.” The hands-on, up-close-and-personal look we had of these products during the Summit made that abundantly clear.

These aren’t just any lenses, mind you: The 25 micron macro version can identify defects that might otherwise be too small to see on targets like PCB boards. The 4x telephoto lens gives users a four-times-magnified view of a target at a distance (which means items like high electrical lines and a tall flare stacks can now be easily inspected.)

The new offerings expand the Fluke portfolio of lenses for select infrared cameras of 320 x 240 resolution and under. To be specific:

The 25 micron macro lens (compatible with Fluke TiX560 and TiX520 infrared cameras) helps technicians distinguish thermal variations across distances smaller than a human hair, making it ideal for applications in electronics/PCB board R&D or, for that matter, anything else requiring near-microscopic level infrared resolution. (Check out the enhanced detail of the dime in the top photo here, compared to the view delivered by a standard lens in the bottom photo.)  A LaserSharp Auto Focus button is used to set the focus at the optimal distance for the lens, eliminating the need to move the focus wheel by tiny amounts to obtain accurate, in-focus images, which, in turn speeds the measurement activities.

The 4x telephoto lens (compatible with Fluke® TiX560, TiX520, Ti400, Ti300 and Ti200 infrared cameras) helps identify problems in power utilities as small as a failed splice on a high electrical line while keeping technicians safely on the ground. (Notice the detail of the top image at left, compared to the less detailed view provided by a standard lens.) In applications like petrochemical and metals refinement where explosive atmospheres, extreme heat or dangerous electrical levels make keeping a safe distance critical, this lens makes distant details more viewable while keeping workers at a safer distance.

These new infrared lenses will be available for purchase on June 15. For more information, visit fluke.com/tilens or CLICK HERE.

Note: The Fluke portfolio of lenses includes standard, wide angle and macro technologies, in addition to the new 2x and 4x telephoto lenses—all with precisely engineered germanium optics. The company says that all of them are easily exchanged between compatible cameras without the need to send the lens and camera back to the factory for calibration. That eliminates the cost and downtime caused by shipping and additional calibration.