The Si124 range of acoustic chambers now detects air leakage from 2 to 65 kHz, and this small change represents major operational improvements in industrial applications across multiple sectors.
Teledyne FLIR's range of acoustic imaging cameras, consisting of the Si124, Si124-PD and Si124-LD models, now offers improved bandwidth for detecting compressed air leaks in industrial environments. The change means that this industry-leading product family can now detect leaks between 2 and 65 kHz, and adds crucial functionality to the previous peak bandwidth of 35 kHz.
Although it may seem a minor development, the impact of this improvement on operations is very significant: it means considerable savings in industrial applications around the world by reducing costs and improving reliability.
Improved Si124 range promises easier and more efficient inspections
This range, consisting of three state-of-the-art Si124 models, is now capable of measuring virtually all compressed air leaks in production environments, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. This particular range up to 63 kHz is scientifically the optimum range for detection, as leaks occur within this measurable threshold of the sound spectrum. In fact, detecting frequencies outside it reduces long-term functionality: detection of background sound beyond 65 kHz can interfere with baseline readings and negatively influence detection.
Failure to detect air leaks can cost companies thousands of euros to replace units that are not operating optimally, with a collateral effect on production when such replacement requires line shutdowns.
Federico De Lucia, head of the Condition Monitoring Specialists (EMEA Solutions) team at Teledyne FLIR explains that this seemingly small change reaffirms the value of the Si124 range by operating at the optimal bandwidth for detecting compressed air leaks in industrial applications.
"Consider, for example, a small leak of compressed air through a hole of only 1.5 mm in a network at 7 bar pressure. Two years ago, at a price of €0.07/kWh, it would have cost a company around €1500/year assuming an average operating time of 6000 hours.
"Now that the energy situation is more complicated, the costs can be three, four or even five times higher in some cases, which can mean expenses of up to €8500/year: an intolerable figure simply for failing to identify a small hole in a vital component of the line. Considering the scale of industrial production and the number of leaks that can go unnoticed, this is a worrying statistic".
Tightness tests represent an outdated model
"The electric vehicle industry is a particularly timely example of how acoustic imaging can be used to replace outdated inspection models, given rising energy costs on all fronts.
"This is because electric vehicle batteries must be hermetically sealed to ensure they meet operational guidelines and safety standards. They must keep out air and water to prevent dirt, dust and other external contaminants from penetrating the core components, which could short-circuit the device and create a fire hazard.
"Traditionally, these units were probed using mass spectrometers to identify foreign compounds inside the casing. A more rudimentary method was to immerse them in water to identify leaks by looking for the presence of air bubbles (what we call leak testing), but this was very impractical and a waste of resources.
"Teledyne FLIR's improved range of cameras are capable of detecting leaks faster than this outdated model, as well as identifying much smaller leaks not detectable by sight or sound, and sometimes not even by traditional thermography. The improved bandwidth of the Si124 models ensures that operators focus only on the exact, specific frequencies where compressed air leaks are detected, without wasting valuable battery time or AI functionality trying to eliminate avoidable background noise at higher frequencies.
Lighter and more ergonomic than any other acoustic imaging camera for industrial inspections
In addition to benefiting from the optimum bandwidth for detecting compressed air leaks, the Si124 range also offers clear advantages for inspectors working in industrial applications.
The Si124 range is incredibly light. In fact, weighing only 1.25 kg including battery, it is almost 60% lighter than rival models on the market. As a result, it can be used with one hand, making it easier for the operator to carry out inspections in hard-to-reach places in harsh environments. This lightweight product range offers up to two hours of autonomy and can operate in harsh industrial environments with temperatures ranging from -10°C to 50°C, making it one of the most rugged offerings available.
Capable of detecting problems up to 10 times faster than traditional methods, including air leak detection, the range minimizes overspending on supplies and makes pneumatic equipment failures a thing of the past.
It also has an agile AI that uses projective algorithms to estimate the cost of any detected compressed air leakage. It does this by assessing the air lost in real time, calculating the cost per kWh and displaying the expected annual savings. Above all, this ensures that inspectors have the valuable evidence needed to justify any repair costs incurred on the production line.
The Si124 range also benefits from Thermal Studio: a unique FLIR extension that allows for fast reporting with over 100 fully customizable images, templates, layers and formulas. It streamlines the analysis of thermal images and ensures that inspectors are able to analyze, edit, segment and edit thermal video.
These enhanced industrial acoustic imaging camera models, FLIR Si124-PD and Si124-LD, as well as the original Si124, are available for sale on our website. For more information, visit https://www.apliter.com/camara-acustica-flir-si124/.
If you need more information about utrasound acoustic imaging cameras, please contact our technicians by e-mail or by calling 91 159 39 78 | 93 706 36 79.
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