Infrared technology for quality control

One of the main premises of the industry is the optimization of processes with the objective of guaranteeing an increase in productivity by making operations more economical and efficient. It is essential to avoid failures in the production chain, as well as to ensure repetitive manufacturing in order not to incur in an increase of costs and a loss of efficiency. Aware of this, Grupo Álava has recently signed an alliance with New Infrared Technologies (NIT)a Spanish manufacturer of broadband IR detectors specialized in innovative solutions for industry. Together they offer the market solutions based on infrared technology for the quality control of certain industrial processes, where techniques such as L-DED, laser welding and WAAM are applied.

We are talking about online and real-time monitoring and control systems based on infrared imaging applicable to different industry sectors such as the automotive, energy, aerospace or process industry in applications such as the reinforcement, recovery and repair of components and structures by applying protective coatings, or the additive manufacturing of 3D metal parts and structures. Capable of collecting the Smart data needed for decision making, they will help companies to optimize and digitize their processes.

"CLAMIR is an on-line, real-time process control system that improves quality and ensures repeatable manufacturing of parts produced in LMD and Cladding processes. It measures and maintains melt-pool geometry by closed-loop, real-time control of laser power and using a high-speed MWIR (1-5um) infrared camera." - Marta Bravo (Product Manager Imaging & Photonics at Grupo Alava).

As part of its industrial development strategy and motivated by the great technological advances of recent times, another of the industry's premises is development and innovation or retrofitting. Thus, this agreement also benefits universities and technology centers in their R&D projects aimed at the development and improvement of production processes based on laser technology, the incorporation of new materials processing technologies or the improvement of the properties of materials of industrial interest. - Cristina González (Head of Imaging and Nanotechnology Business Unit).

In addition, there is the possibility of being able to evolve to an industry 4.0, connecting these systems to an intelligent and multidisciplinary IioT platform, based on AI and capable of integrating all data in a single interface. It will greatly help in real-time production control.

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