I have a used FLIR ETS320 thermal PCB inspection camera on its way to me
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This camera is a specialist product produced by FLIR to meet the needs of the electronics design, production and repair industries.
It is far from a perfect solution as we shall see. It is my intention to improve the unit once it arrives.
I have studied the design and watched Dave's video's about the unit. One is a review and the other is a teardown.
They may be found, along with the associated discussions about the unit, here:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-988-flir-ets320-benchtop-thermal-camera-review/msg1194401/#msg1194401https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-989-flir-ets320-thermal-camera-teardown/msg1195706/#msg1195706My views on this units flaws follow:
1. The ETS head is attached to what can generously be described as a budget Chinese Microscope stand. This camera costs £2000!
2. It is of note that the manual details how to remove the head from the cheap stand and rack, in order to fit it on a better stand maybe ? Why else would they detail such ?
3. The ETS320 contains a virtually unmodified E8 camera chassis. Just a mount for the Lithium battery fitted where the LCD display normally sits. Even the USB socket remains in its original position. A short patch cable is used to relocate the micro USB port to the rear of the head.
3. The standard Ex series lens assembly is used. A custom lens assembly for the ETS would have made it far more versatile. Why no focus control ? I can make such with my 3D printer so why did FLIR not have a focus ring adapter fitted for manual distance focus ?
4. The head is fixed in a downward staring position so, unlike video presenters, it cannot rotate its head to look horizontally. A nice option in some cases and it would have made the unit capable of being a standard desk mounted thermal camera if the focus was adjustable.
5. FLIR could have provided different lens options, including a true microscope lens option rather than a wide angle Ex series lens.
I think I can answer most of the above ..... the ETS320 appears to be someone's 'bright idea'. Take an E8 chassis and bolt it on to a cheap microscope stand, reposition the LCD and voila, a thermal PCB inspection unit using standard FLIR production parts plus a custom case moulding. Nice and cheap to produce. It could almost have come from someone's hobby workshop ! It fits the stated purpose, but only just, and versatility has been lost through lack of proper product development. It looks like a fast track 'quick win' solution to fill a gap in the market.
The good news is that they chose to use the full 320 x 240 resolution of the microbolometer so no hacking required (I may well hack mine though ) They also made it relatively easy for me to attach it to a better microscope stand and to make the lens focus adjustable. I am also hoping to achieve true thermal microscope capability with an auxiliary lens. I can then study insects and tiny electronic components with it
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The ETS320 is normally shipped with FLIR Tools+ but I suspect that has gone walkies from my used unit. I already have a FLIR Tools+ licence and FLIR ResearchIR so no worries on that front
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It will be an interesting little project to work on. It is a specialist product but I think I can make it far more versatile with some minor modifications. My 3D printer could prove very useful for making custom parts and adapters etc.
What follows are my plans for said improvements and modifications to the ETS320 'System'. Some parts I already have, some have been ordered and some I will make using a 3D printer.
Fraser