Non contact infrared temperature sensors, instrumentation and data loggers
Since 1973, Calex has been providing high quality, cost effective temperature measurement and power conversion solutions for industries worldwide. Our in-house design and manufacturing is focused on innovative non-contact infrared temperature sensors.
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We also offer a wide range of complementary products including temperature indicators, PID controllers, blackbody calibrators, thermocouples, resistance thermometers, and DC/DC converters.
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Our Quality Management System is ISO 9001 certified.
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PRODUCTS
INFRARED TEMPERATURE SENSOR
(FIXED MOUNT)
Fixed-mount infrared temperature sensors (pyrometers) for industrial, benchtop, laboratory and education applications.
PyroCouple
PyroMiniBus
PyroUSB
PyroMini
PyroMini OEM
PyroMini NFC
PyroSigma
PyroMiniUSB
ExTemp
PyroCAN
ExTempMini
PyroEpsilon
FibreCube
PyroCube M
PyroCube S and F
PyroCube G
PyroCube XS
PyroCube P
TEMPERATURE IINDICATORS, CONTROLLERS AND INSTRUMENTATION
Large Digit Display
Pixsys ATR144
PM180
Excelog 6
Pixsys ATR244
Pixsys ATR121
Pixsys STR571
Pixsys DRR244
BLACKBODY CALIBRATION SOURCES
BB982
For precise calibration, -20°C to +125°C
BB976
For precise calibration, 30°C to 550°C
FTK
Portable IR temperature checker
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APPLICATIONS
FOOD
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The temperature of food products is easy to measure using infrared thermometry, as they are usually non-reflective.
Calex sensors, monitoring the temperature of food items on a conveyor, can be configured for peak or valley hold processing, so the temperature of the most recent target is held while the next target is moved in front of the sensor. Successful applications also include chocolate and toffee manufacture.
Flour milling
Temperature monitoring is essential in environments where overheating can cause an explosion risk, for example, a large system of PyroBus sensors with air purge collars may be used to monitor multiple rollers in flour mills so that dangerously high temperatures can be noticed before the combustible flour dust can catch fire.
Iron & Steel
The surface condition of iron and steel can vary during the process, even when viewed at the same location. Along with the reflective metal surface, this has traditionally made it difficult to measure the temperature, but now Calex has a range of short-wavelength sensors designed for the job.
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Sensors of approximately 2 micron spectral response and below should be used for iron and steel, as they provide better accuracy than general-purpose models when measuring materials with low and varying emissivity.
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Sensors such as the FibreMini are available to withstand the high ambient temperatures and harsh conditions in metals industry applications.
Glass
To measure the temperature of glass in industrial manufacturing processes, an infrared temperature sensor should be chosen depending on the type of process, the thickness of the glass, the desired depth of measurement and the temperature range.
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For example, a 5-micron PyroCube G Series sensor could be used to measure just below the surface of float glass, bottles and other thin-wall glass.
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A shorter-wavelength sensor such as the PyroUSB 2.2, PyroMini 2.2 or FibreMini could be used where the target is thicker and the required measurement depth is greater. The temperature of the inner furnace walls is also easily measured with these sensors.
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For glass gob temperature measurements, where the target is small and very fast-moving, the lightning-fast response time of the PyroCube G is better suited.
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At temperatures below 150°C, general purpose sensors with emissivity adjustment may be used, taking care to avoid reflections of other hot objects.
Asphalt
Temperature monitoring and control is critical when manufacturing, storing and laying bituminous materials. The temperature of asphalt and tarmac must be correctly maintained in production and storage, and monitored when roads are being laid so that a strong, well-compacted surface is achieved.
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It is easy to achieve good readings from bituminous materials with a simple, low-cost infrared temperature sensor such as the models below.
Paper
Paper and manufactured board are easy materials to measure with any of our general-purpose infrared temperature sensors. They are generally non-reflective, so excellent results can usually be achieved straight out of the box with default settings.
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Choose a sensor with an output type that suits any existing instrumentation, or install a new temperature monitoring system from scratch.
Corrugated Board Manufacturing
Existing sensors often have analogue outputs such as thermocouple or 4-20 mA, and are easily replaced with modern, compact, low-cost Calex sensors, such as the PyroCouple.
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New installations often suit a multi-channel system with digital RS485 Modbus communications, such as the PyroMiniBus.
Whatever your requirements, Calex has a range of infrared temperature sensors that will be suitable.
High Ambient Temperatures
For areas where the air temperature is hot, such as the dryers in paper manufacturing, or the single facers in corrugated board manufacturing, our high-ambient sensors such as the PyroMini and PyroMiniBus can be used to good effect. There is no need to supply cooling fluid to the sensors, leading to savings in energy and cost.
Printing
Infrared thermometry has also proved beneficial to printing companies. Both the basic products printers use, and the finished material they produce, have been significantly improved where infrared sensors have been applied.
Automotive
In the painting of new car bodies and many other products, long term durability and consumer appeal are dependent upon the quality of the coating application processes. This quality, determined by adhesion, hardness, corrosion resistance, finish and colour, depends largely upon curing temperature cycles. Calex’s non-contact infrared temperature sensors are capable of giving the user or OEM tight control over this cycle, where none existed before.
Non-Contact Measurements in Tyre Manufacturing
Infrared temperature sensors from the Calex PyroCouple Series are being used by a major tyre manufacturer to detect the presence of hot rubber tyre material as it passes a point on a conveyor.
The tyre material is transported in two thin bands on a cooled aluminium conveyor. A Calex PyroCouple model PC301MT-0 infrared temperature sensor is positioned above the conveyor, and is aimed so that both bands are contained in its field of view.
The temperature of the tyre material is normally 75°C and the cooled conveyor surface temperature is typically 20°C.
The sensor is connected to a DIN rail-mounted controller with a relay output that will switch at a chosen measured temperature (e.g. about 45°C).
The relay setpoint temperature is low enough that the relay will be triggered reliably despite the tyre material not completely filling the sensor's field of view. The system can therefore detect the presence of the tyre material, and the time that the material starts and stops being present can be logged.
Speed data from the conveyor drive system is combined with the timings from the sensor and the total length of tyre material passing the sensor can be calculated over each manufacturing period.
Plastic
Non-contact temperature measurement of plastics is easy with Calex infrared pyrometers. In most cases, a general-purpose sensor with an adjustable emissivity setting will give excellent results.
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Our range of PID controllers is compatible with traditional temperature probes as well as infrared temperature sensors, and is well-suited to the plastics industry, for applications including extrusion and injection moulding.
Thermoforming
Calex PyroMini infrared temperature sensors are ideal for thermoforming applications. The plastic sheet temperature is measured as it is heated to ensure the correct forming temperature is achieved, as well as during cooling after forming. Because the production rate is often limited by the cooling process, the faster the part can be removed from the mould, the faster the production rate. The sensor gives an accurate, instant temperature reading without the lag time associated with contact probes.
Blow Moulding
The temperature of the plastic bottle preform is measured before it is inflated. The small measured spot size and fast response time of Calex PyroCube infrared temperature sensors is ideal, making it easy to achieve consistent quality in the finished product.
Thin Plastic Film
Thin-film plastics are a special case and require sensors that measure certain wavelengths depending on the type of plastic. The PyroCube P is specialised for measuring some types of thin plastic film with minimal transmission. For measuring the temperature of thin plastic films, contact Calex for advice.
Power Distribution
Spot overheating busbar joints, and plan preventative maintenance, by installing a temperature monitoring system with Calex non-contact sensors.
The temperature of the connections between conductors in switchgear cabinets can rise as their condition deteriorates, and if this allowed to escalate, this can become hazardous. With proper temperature monitoring, this risk can be reduced and preventative maintenance can be planned.
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Calex non-contact infrared temperature sensors are ideal because they provide an accurate, instant temperature reading from the conductor surface without contact.