Electricity and Control February 2024

SENSORS + SWITCHES : PRODUCTS + SERVICES

Compact IR camera for outdoor monitoring and fire detection

The Optris PI 640i is the smallest meas uring VGA infrared camera, with a body sized 45 x 56 x 90 mm and weighing only 269 to 340 g (depending on the lens). It counts among the most com pact thermal imaging cameras on the world market. The Optris PI 640i is a product pack

Optris PI 640i IR camera and HD Video fitted with outdoor protective housing.

age designed specifically for outdoor condition monitor ing and fire detection. With an environmental protection rating of IP66 and an integrated air purge the unit pro vides reliable 24/7 operation under harsh conditions. The built-in heater/fan has an extra wide operating temper ature range from -40°C up to 50°C. The IR camera has a spec of 640 x 480 pixels and delivers pin-sharp radi ometric images and real-time HD videos at 1280 x 720 pixels. The USB Server (PoE) ensures easy integration of both camera streams (IR and VIS) in the video man agement systems. Areas of application The high-resolution infrared camera PI 640i finds use in all industrial applications where pin-sharp infrared pictures Booyco Electronics, an original equipment manufacturer specialising in mine safety equipment, has seen a surge in demand for its Proximity Detection Systems (PDS) and Collision Prevention Systems (CPS) since South Africa implemented the Mine Health and Safety regulation fo cused on trackless mobile machinery in December 2022. Booyco’s PDS and CPS offer vehicle-to-pedestrian and vehicle-to-vehicle detection capabilities which help to re duce collisions involving trackless mobile machinery and mineworkers and, in turn, to reduce fatalities and injuries. A decade ago, the mining sector faced a grim reali ty with 270 fatalities per year. However, the industry has made significant strides in reducing these numbers by 20% annually, resulting in improved safety records. In 2021, the industry saw a slight setback with an increase in fatalities and injuries, but progress remains evident as 49 fatalities – though still too many - were re corded last year. Anton Lourens, CEO of South Africa leads the way in PDS technology

Screen shot of the visual image on camera alongside IR reading of the same area. and videos are essential for process monitoring, condi tion monitoring, early fire detection and optimisation. The real-time thermographic images also prove espe cially valuable for surveillance and quality assurance in the automotive sector, in the plastics industry, and in the semiconductor as well as photovoltaic industries. The unit can be delivered with industrial thermal imager equipment and is supplied with an extensive licence-free thermography software package.

For more information visit: www.instrotech.co.za

company is focused on ensuring compliance with South African proximity detection and collision prevention sys tems requirements. Lourens says the Minerals Council South Africa played a key role in promoting understanding and mediating around the Mine Health & Safety regulation and identified concerns related to equipment supply, installation, and maintenance. In addition to implementing PDS systems, some mining houses are keen to take ownership of product maintenance – and this requires comprehensive training for in-house personnel, which creates further opportunities for Booyco Electronics to expand its workforce. “Significantly, South Africa was the first country to regulate PDS deployment in mining, attracting interest and engagement not only locally but also internationally,” Lourens says. Booyco Electronics, in business for over 17 years, has developed its product line to meet diverse operational needs. However, Lourens emphasises that PDS alone cannot guarantee safety improvements and that overall CPS success hinges on buy-in from all stakeholders and implementation through an integrated approach. “The mining industry’s openness to adopting new technology varies, but most mining houses have been quick to embrace advanced technology systems, includ ing PDS and CPS. Better connectivity and data manage ment are also priorities, aiding in safety, efficiency, and productivity enhancement,” he adds. □

Proximity Detection Systems (PDS) and Collision Prevention Systems (CPS) offer crucial vehicle-to pedestrian and vehicle-to vehicle detection capabilities.

Booyco Electronics, notes that South Africa’s mining industry has been pro active in adopting tech nologies and innovative products to foster behav ioural changes that sup port safety. With stricter mine safe ty legislation in place, the

24 Electricity + Control FEBRUARY 2024