This section provides an overview for infrared cameras as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 20 infrared camera manufacturers and their company rankings.
Table of Contents
Infrared cameras are cameras that can detect objects in the absence of light by detecting infrared radiation. They are used in a variety of applications, taking advantage of their properties to work in thermography and in the dark. Infrared light is light with a long wavelength that is emitted in response to temperature, and the temperature of the area receiving the light rises in accordance with the magnitude of the infrared light. By using the temperature change caused by that infrared light, it is possible to detect the appearance of objects within the range of the object being photographed or detected.
Infrared cameras are used for the camera part of thermography, for temperature control such as body temperature in the medical field, for security equipment using its ability to work in the dark. They are also used for inspection equipment for products that need to be produced in an environment without light, and as a function to improve the accuracy of photography in digital cameras. When selecting an infrared camera, it is necessary to consider detection accuracy, pixel count, size, ease of maintenance, and durability against external factors.
The following is an explanation of the principle of operation of infrared cameras. Infrared cameras consist of an infrared condenser lens, a detector element, and a processor. Thermopiles are mainly used as the detector element, and as many thermopiles are embedded in the detector element as the number of pixels from which information is obtained.
During operation, a condenser lens collects only infrared light, which is then transferred to the thermopile. Infrared rays irradiated on the thermopile change the temperature of the thermopile according to the intensity of the infrared rays when they reach the thermopile. Depending on the amount of change, the thermopile conducts an electric current, which is amplified by an amplifier or other device for each thermopile and is then described by the processor. If the intensity of the infrared radiation is high, the point will be close to white, and if the intensity of the infrared radiation is low, the point will be close to black, allowing the presence or absence of an object to be determined. Some products incorporate a mechanism to cool the thermopile, while others have a sophisticated image processing program built in, enabling them to detect images with higher precision.
Infrared radiation can be broadly classified into far-infrared and near-infrared radiation. The difference between them is the wavelength. Near-infrared rays are in the region close to the light that the human eye can detect (780 nm to 2,500 nm), and far-infrared rays are in the region that the human eye cannot detect at all (4 to 1,000 μm). Cameras that take advantage of these properties are marketed as infrared cameras. However, far-infrared cameras and near-infrared cameras are completely different products, even though they are the same "infrared camera.
A far infrared camera is exactly like a thermal imaging camera. Infrared radiation is emitted from all objects, including us humans. The infrared radiation emitted from an object is proportional to the temperature of the object. In other words, by measuring the infrared radiation emitted from an object, we can measure the object's temperature, and the measurement device is a far-infrared camera. This feature of being able to "observe heat" is very useful. The applications we immediately think of are temperature measurement by thermography, as mentioned earlier, but it is also widely used in the military industry because of its feature of "being able to monitor an opponent without the opponent being aware of it."
A near-infrared camera is a camera that captures light in the near-infrared region (780 nm to 2,500 nm). As mentioned earlier, they have completely different characteristics than infrared cameras. Infrared cameras are products that measure the temperature of objects, whereas near-infrared cameras, like most cameras, capture images of space that we can perceive. The advantage of near-infrared cameras is that they can capture images with high contrast even under poor lighting conditions. A normal camera cannot capture the desired image without adequate lighting conditions. Infrared cameras, however, can capture near-infrared rays and produce high-contrast images clearly even under poor lighting conditions. For this reason, they are widely used as nighttime security cameras and industrial cameras.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Accele Electronics, Inc. is based in Santa Fe Springs, California. Accele has a 30 year history as a manufacturer and distributor of automotive technology solutions, also offering services such as, installation and support throughout its 30+ year history. Example products include LCD monitors, headrest monitors, mirror monitors, drive and park sensors, video recording and camera kits and accessories, A/V switchers, RV camera systems, cables, lighting, HUD, security systems, fuses and circuits, relays, bus and coach amenities, as well as comfort and convenience items.
Based in Bayville, NY, SAE Manufacturing Specialties Corp. is an ISO-certified supplier and manufacturer of industrial equipment, chemicals, components, ordinance, electronics, and systems for industries ranging from aerospace to high tech to law enforcement. Examples of product offerings include raw materials, chemicals, and lubricants for industrial purposes to finished products such as security helmets for law enforcement, and military ordnances. SAE also provides research and development as well as technical support for other companies in similar industries.
Fox Valley Fire & Safety was founded in 1960 and is based in Elgin, Illinois. Fox Valley Fire & Safety provides service, inspection, repair, and installation of security and alarm systems. Many of Fox Valley employees hold NICET certification for fire, hazard, and water-based systems. Fox Valley works with businesses both large and small businesses to offer on-site surveys, CAD services, and testing of fire and other safety needs and meet government compliance standards. Examples of systems include basic fire alarms to 24-hour security monitoring, sprinkler systems, fire suppression systems, and emergency and exit lighting.
Hello BOM is an online electronic component storefront designed to bridge customers and suppliers. Customers supply Hello BOM with their bill of materials (BOM) and Hello BOM uses smart analysis via AI data matching to quickly find precise matches that customers need. This is accomplished via Hello BOM’s growing component stock and product information database to grow increasingly accurate and fast, while also simplifying the process of R&D and purchasing for customers. Products include semiconductors, resistors, capacitors, diodes, inductors, connectors, transistors, and sensors.
Micro-Epsilon was originally founded in Osaka and Micro-Epsilon America was founded in 1998, headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. Micro-Epsilon develops, manufactures, and distributes sensors to aerospace, battery production, glass production, wind power, precision optics, medical technology, transportation, semiconductor, and other industries. Micro-Epsilon’s sensor product categories include inductive, capacitive, laser, confocal, laser distance, magneto-inductive, draw-wire, rotation speed, color, paint thickness measurement, and fiber optic sensors in addition to interferometers and other sensor equipment.
Saddle Brook Controls is a division of Ribble Engineering, which was founded in 1933 in Saddle Brook, New Jersey. Saddle Brook Controls is a manufacture as well as a designer, distributor, and support service provider of automation solutions for factory automation. Product groups include PLCs, controllers, Remote IO devices, HMIs, industrial computers, machine vision and inspection machines, motion devices, drives, motor controls, enclosures, circuit breakers, safety products, sensing and control products, power supplies, and UPS.
ifm efector (ifm) is a subsidiary of ifm electronic, founded in Germany in 1969. ifm has developed, manufactured and marketed sensors and controls technology to industries that include assembly and robotics, automotive, material handling, metal forming, mobile equipment, plastics, and food and beverage. Ifm produces sensors, condition monitoring equipment, image processing, safety technology, industrial communication, IO-link, systems for mobile machines, displays, software, connection technology, voltage supplies, as well as other accessories.
Ranking as of March 2023 in United States of America
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Industrial Video & Control | 20% |
2 | Sperry West Inc. | 20% |
3 | Optris Infrared Sensing, LLC | 20% |
4 | FOTRIC Inc. | 10% |
5 | Saddle Brook Controls | 10% |
6 | Industrial Scientific Corp. | 10% |
7 | AEI | 10% |
Ranking as of March 2023 Globally
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Industrial Video & Control | 20% |
2 | Sperry West Inc. | 20% |
3 | Optris Infrared Sensing, LLC | 20% |
4 | FOTRIC Inc. | 10% |
5 | Saddle Brook Controls | 10% |
6 | Industrial Scientific Corp. | 10% |
7 | AEI | 10% |
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the infrared camera page as of March 2023. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
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