The specially developed automated PRESS-CHECK inspection system from InfraTec monitors the temperature distribution of the entire sheet metal part surfaces with several high-performance thermographic cameras of different wavelengths. A high-resolution thermographic camera in the short-wave infrared range (SWIR) enables precise high-temperature detection before the pressing process. This camera also recognizes the contours of the sheet metal and automatically generates measuring fields from this, thus preventing incorrect positioning in the tool. A second thermographic camera is used to determine whether the cooling process defined during the pressing process is within the quality limits. Operating in the long-wave infrared range (LWIR), this enables the high-precision determination of the temperature distribution on the surfaces of the formed sheets immediately after pressing.

PRESS-CHECK at a glance

• Temperature control before and after press hardening
• Position control, position detection and double sheet detection through temperature measurement and classification
• Monitoring of tool wear
• Fully automatic, process-synchronized operation
• No changeover times; automatic contour detection of the sheets
• Automatic data transfer via the higher-level machine control system
• Long-term logging and archiving of all measurement data for later analysis

Thermographic cameras in protective housing for measurement before and after pressing. © InfraTec

Professional testing software for uninterrupted operation
The testing software developed by InfraTec specifically for this application allows the various tools to be managed automatically and the associated measurement results to be evaluated and logged. This means that the inspection system can be used universally for all jobs running on the press line without changeover times.
The uninterrupted operation made possible by PRESS-CHECK represents a decisive advantage for the plant operator compared to other solutions. Thanks to the modular system design, the inspection system can be operated with maximum reliability and easily adapted to different press lines.

Camera range from InfraTec GmbH. © InfraTec

Leading global supplier with great expertise
Dresden-based InfraTec GmbH Infrarotsensorik und Messtechnik is a specialist for products and services in the field of infrared technology. The owner-managed company was founded in 1991. Today, it has its own development, production, service and sales departments and employs around 200 highly qualified specialists. InfraTec has founded several international subsidiaries to coordinate its activities in the economically most important markets of Europe, North America and Asia. The company also has a global network of dealers.

Further information can be found under the following links:

PRESS-CHECK (quality assurance)

PRESS-CHECK (Industrial Automation)

Thermal imaging camera PIR uc SWIR HD 800