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'Ghost' images

Last post 05-14-2009, 9:16 AM by thunderbolt61. 9 replies.
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  •  02-01-2008, 6:29 AM 1113

    'Ghost' images

    A Flir 640 series produces 'ghost' images.
    I'm looking for serials with the same problem.

     

  •  04-01-2008, 1:13 PM 1296 in reply to 1113

    Re: 'Ghost' images

    There are a numerious things that can cause 'ghost' images.  

     
    Assuming you are not referring to normal IR issues like thermal reflects off low emissivity surfaces and instead, the next question would be, what do you mean by 'ghost' images.  Are the patterns "burned" into the image or are the blurring image trails, that appear when you move the camera.

     

    If you are seeing the latter, the P640 has an a Noise Reduction Mode which uses image averaging.  If it is turned on to the maximum noise reduction mode, it  cause pronounced blurring/smearing of images when the camera is moved.

     If images seem to get "burned" into the detector, I would contact the service department.  Stuck or malfunctioning NUC paddles on any Microbolometer based camera can causes a images to be NUC'd into the offset/correction making a it appear that the image is burned or ghosted into the the detector. A problem like this is typically very easy to correct, and only takes a minor adjustment by the service department.   

    While I have not heard of this problem on the P640, I seen it occur on other cameras. In this case, you may want to make note of the ambient temperatures when this occurs. I've heard of cases where the camera works fine a room temperature, but the NUC paddle sticks when in higher temp enviroments.  I've also seen cases where the paddle sticks when the camera is first turned on or after it has been stored in cold enviroment, but the problem goes away after the camera warms up. 

  •  05-13-2009, 9:36 AM 3050 in reply to 1296

    Re: 'Ghost' images

    Attachment: P640 ghosting.PDF

    I have a P640 (ser# 309001212) that has the ghosting problem as well. It seems that even after the camera would warm up, it still would have the "ghosting effect" I tried everything to correct the problem from nuking it ,to turning the camera on and off. When the camera would calibrate, the clicking sound is obviously present, but when the ghosting would occur a high pitch sound would accompany it. Root cause analysis found to be a issue with a NUC paddle sticking when the ghosting would occur. I have enclosed some pictures to help the reader understand what is happening. My question is how can i correct the sticking problem on the paddle? And just some general info what are the multiple rings behind the NUC paddle? I also see some uneveness in the ring spacing as well.

     

      

  •  05-13-2009, 12:27 PM 3053 in reply to 3050

    Re: 'Ghost' images

    I had gosting on my P640 also and Flir fixed it for free. It seems it had something to due with the hardware according to Flir.
  •  05-13-2009, 2:52 PM 3055 in reply to 3053

    Re: 'Ghost' images

    Heuer we had the camera for 2 weeks brand new and the unit had started this. We sent it off under warrenty and they claimed to fix it and Flir said it was a hardware issue as well however, in the field the unit still exibited the"ghosting effect". I didnt know that alot of the P640 units had this problem.

     So later on today Flir was contacted and i was informed of a weak spring mechanism that could be commonly found in the NUC paddle area. The motor was receiving the signal to raise and lower the 2 NUC paddles but the spring was not allowing the back paddle to fully retract with the other paddle. This also explains why when the camera was held at different angles, it would have the ghosting effect more. Flir hooked us up and we are sending it back for repairs.

     
  •  05-13-2009, 7:56 PM 3058 in reply to 3055

    Re: 'Ghost' images

    Glad to hear you were able to get it fixed. I think it is a great unit but it has some bugs just everything out there.
  •  05-14-2009, 2:45 AM 3060 in reply to 3050

    Re: 'Ghost' images

    thunderbolt61:

    I have a P640 (ser# 309001212) that has the ghosting problem as well. It seems that even after the camera would warm up, it still would have the "ghosting effect" I tried everything to correct the problem from nuking it ,to turning the camera on and off. When the camera would calibrate, the clicking sound is obviously present, but when the ghosting would occur a high pitch sound would accompany it. Root cause analysis found to be a issue with a NUC paddle sticking when the ghosting would occur. I have enclosed some pictures to help the reader understand what is happening. My question is how can i correct the sticking problem on the paddle? And just some general info what are the multiple rings behind the NUC paddle? I also see some uneveness in the ring spacing as well.

     

      

    The black rings that you are asking about are the "baffle", this is designed to stop stray unwanted radiation from reaching the detector.

    Can i just ask people if they have tried turning off the "noise reduction" or image enhancement mode, or reducing it to its minimum level? Is the ghosting still there?

  •  05-14-2009, 6:14 AM 3061 in reply to 3060

    Re: 'Ghost' images

    Yes sir Bob we took and tried different noise reduction settings. I also still seen the ghosting effect. I appreciate the info about the baffle system as well.

  •  05-14-2009, 6:51 AM 3062 in reply to 3061

    Re: 'Ghost' images

    Does this problem show up in the P620 as well?

  •  05-14-2009, 9:16 AM 3063 in reply to 3062

    Re: 'Ghost' images

    I do not know about any reports of the P620 having this issue. Please keep us posted if you do see or hear of any occurance.
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