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Filling The Gap Between Thermometers And Thermal Imagers

The Fluke VT02 fills the gap between single-point infrared thermometers and high-resolution thermal images (infrared or “IR” cameras), for when the former isn’t enough and the latter is more than the user needs.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_large","fid":"28708","attributes":{"class":"media-image","id":"1","style":"float: right; margin: 20px;","typeof":"foaf:Image"}}]]Fluke Corporation (Everett, Wash.) has introduced the Fluke VT02 Visual IR Thermometer, a troubleshooting camera with an infrared heat map. The Fluke VT02 fills the gap between single-point infrared thermometers and high-resolution thermal images (infrared or “IR” cameras), for when the former isn’t enough and the latter is more than the user needs. The tool combines the visual insight of a thermal imager and the visual images of a digital camera, allowing users to actively switch between visual and thermal images, or a blended combination of the two.

The VT02 will display and save images as full visual, full infrared, or in three blended modes (25, 50 and 75 percent), with markers that pinpoint hot and cold spots. Readings are saved to an included micro-SD card, which eliminates the need to write down figures, and allows users to reference the associated images. The tool is also focus-free, which means that it’s easy to use for anyone in the company.

To learn more about the VT02, visit www.fluke.com/blending.

Editor’s Note: While we typically don’t offer “reviews” of the products that are featured in Manufacturing.net, primarily because we have no opportunity to use them in their intended environments, I was able to get my hands on the Fluke VT02 at the recent Rockwell Automation show in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In this case, I think the product literature actually stands up to the value of the product itself. The tool is remarkably easy to use — it’s not much more complicated than point-and-shoot. The ability to see both the true visual image, combined with the thermal view, is quite compelling. The VT02 could make for a good training tool, or for companies that don’t want to make such a large investment in a high-resolution thermal imager.

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