Mechanical systems produce heat as friction increases and efficiency is lost. Most mechanical applications using thermography usually involve rotating equipment.
Excessive heat can be generated by friction caused by faulty bearings, raceways, lubrication (too little or too much), misalignment, and normal wear.
Typical mechanical applications include air compressors, V-belts, motors, gear boxes, couplings, and conveyors. Once thermography has determined that there is a thermal variance the thermal imager will convert the infrared energy into a real time full color display. These images are calibrated for accurate temperature measurements, providing the ability to determine the relative severity of the mechanical thermal signature being viewed.
After determining that there is a thermal variance then other technologies such as vibration analysis can be used providing fault assessment and prioritize repair recommendations.