MeltCam™

Melt Pool Monitoring for Metal Additive Manufacturing

MeltCam™ is a thermal camera for welding and metal 3D printing. It shows the melt pool’s true temperature—accurately and in high resolution—even when the metal is shiny, dark, or changing. Regular thermal cameras require the user to estimate a setting called emissivity, which can affect the accuracy of the reading. MeltCam uses a two-color method (it measures two wavelengths of light at the same time) to cancel out those surface effects. The result is precise, reliable temperature images across different metals and part shapes.

MeltCam™ consists of a camera with a power supply, calibration system, and Windows software that will allow users to focus and calibrate the system, command and control the camera, acquire and store thermal images, compute metrics from the images, and view and export the live and stored thermal images and metrics.  Software licensing is provided with a USB dongle, so no external internet connection is required.

MeltCam™ System: Components, Software & Technical Specifications

    • Camera with power supply

    • Calibration System

    • USB dongle with software

  • Range

    • Measurable Temperatures:  Targeting 700 ⁰C - 3,100 ⁰C or better

    • Frame Dynamic Range: Targeting 2,000 ⁰C or better

    Precision/Accuracy

    • Targeting <=100⁰C

    Compatible Materials

    • Demonstrated measurement on steel, titanium, Inconel, and their family of alloys

    • Other materials possible with potential constraints

  • Size/Weight

    • Approximately 2.5in x 2.5in x 3.5in (excluding connectors & lens tube)

    • Approximately 0.6lbs (without lens/lens tube)

    Typical Installation Resolution

    • 10 - 30 micron/pixel

    • At 20 micron/pixel

      • 160 × 160 pixels @ 3.2mm FOV

      • 400 × 400 pixels @ 8.0mm FOV

    Maximum Image Size

    • 1440 × 1080

    FPS

    • 1000 FPS at 80 × 80 pixels

    • 540 FPS at 160 × 160 pixels

    • 100 FPS at 400 × 400 pixels

    Optical Interface

    • C Mount Lens

    • Optical path between the camera and melt pool needs a reasonable response at 755 nm and 900 nm

    • Specific filtering is selected during calibration

    Environment

    • Operating: 23F to 113F (20 to 80% non-condensing humidity)

    • Storage: -13F to 140F (20 to 80% non-condensing humidity)

If you are interested in purchasing MeltCam™ please contact us by submitting the form below.