What is thermography?
For more than 40 years thermography (heat detection) has been used for equipment maintenance in industries as diverse as electrical, manufacturing, defence, construction, horticulture, medical and many more. All objects above absolute zero emit infrared (heat) radiation.
Radiation sent out by the object increases with temperature. The practise of thermal imaging is to capture these variations of temperature using thermographic cameras, hence the name. Objects including humans and other warm blooded animals are easily visible when using thermal imaging in the day or the night and historically RTS use has been attributed for military, security and emergency services.
In recent years the practise of Thermography has evolved into one of the most valuable diagnostic tools for predictive maintenance. Infrared cameras are able to detect anomalies often invisible to the naked eye, thus allowing time for corrective action to be taken before costly system failures occur. It has become a common tool because of technology advances that have made thermal imaging cameras more affordable for individual companies.
Applications and uses
Thermal imaging is now used in many areas, such as transmission and distribution line maintenance where technicians locate joints and connections that will fail due to overheating, allowing them to eliminate these potential hazards, by using thermal imaging. Construction engineers are able to see where insulation is faulty, and so are able to improve the efficiencies of heating and air-conditioning.
Thermal imaging is now a standard maintenance procedure for electrical installations and is the quickest and best way to discover construction failures such as heat losses, dampness, and air leaks that occur in buildings by becoming instantly visible on colourful thermal images.
Although thermographic cameras are similar in appearance and operation to a camcorder, there is more to the practise of thermography than just knowing how to handle a camera, which is why the University of Melbourne is involved in the delivery of quality training programs to support the infrared community.
We have been involved in the delivery of quality infrared training since 1997. Our instructor was part of the team who developed the first thermography course in Australia. We are committed to continuing our industry training and developing courses for practical hands on solutions.
Thermography courses
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ITC Infrared Thermography Level 1
This is an introductory 5-day course that prepares participants for qualifications as a category 1 certified thermographer with the Australian Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (AINDT).
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ITC Infrared Thermography Level 2
The course is designed for the professional thermographer and delivered over 5 days using a combination of theoretical and practical sessions and working with images and diagrams to illustrate the theoretical aspects in a descriptive way.
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Custom courses
Our instructors will travel anywhere in Australia to deliver on-site Level 1 and Level 2 thermography training, as well as courses developed for specific end user requirements.
2018 course schedule: Level 1
2018 fees: $2,950.00 AUD per person, GST exempt. Group discounts available.
| Date | Venue | Instructor |
|---|---|---|
| 19–23 February | North Sydney Harbourview Hotel 17 Blue Street North Sydney NSW 2060 |
Alan Smith |
| 4–8 June | University House 112 Professors Walk University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010 |
Alan Smith |
| 20–24 August | Kirribilli Club 11 Harbourview Crescent Lavender Bay, New South Wales 2060 |
Alan Smith |
| 12–16 November | University House 112 Professors Walk University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010 |
Alan Smith |
2018 course schedule: Level 2
2018 fees: $3235 AUD per person, GST exempt. More info
| Date | Venue | Instructor |
|---|---|---|
| 3–7 December | Graduate House 220 Leicester Street Carlton, Victoria 3053 |
Alan Smith |
Testimonials
What our graduates are saying …
Just a quick note to thank you for your teachings during the Certificate 1 Thermography Course … I was entranced and mesmerised with the course content and also with your ability to flow and deliver the technical message required. I plan to soak in everything I can over the next period of time and will hopefully see you again for Certificate 2 later down the track.
Jason Freimanis, Technician, DC Rowe Pty Ltd, Mayfield West NSW
I decided to complete the Level 1 & 2 Thermography courses to further my studies leading up to a full time position in Condition Monitoring. I hope to transfer to the Condition Monitoring team next month which will lead me to further Electrical/Engineering studies.
Bryant R. Johnson, Senior Technician Document Author, BAE Systems Australia, Garden Island Navy Base (NSW)
Completing the Level 1 & 2 Thermography courses will help build a solid business case to promote and develop a need for IR in our workplace. Training is an important step to achieving this. With the knowledge learnt from this course I hope to promote IR as another tool that can be used for non-destructive testing/condition monitoring, where relevant, for the platforms we currently service. There are already procedures published in maintenance documentation for IR on a number of platforms and I hope to expand on these procedures leading to future purchases of newer, applicable equipment.
Darren Vestey, NDT Supervisor – Level 2 in LPT, ECT, UT, RT, MPT, Boeing Defence Australia, RAAF Base Amberley
I completed the Level 1 & 2 Thermography courses as I required qualification to undertake my occupational requirements. The training will help me to fulfil the requirements of job taskings in the Navy Thermography Cell. I will also be conducting thermographic surveys on HMA Ships and shore establishments.
Jai Kal, Marine Technician (Mechanical), Royal Australian Navy, Sydney
Our training team
Dr Alan Smith
Alan is a founder and presenter of industry accredited courses in infrared Thermography. He has a Level 3 certificate and is the only instructor qualified to deliver ITC Level 2 Infrared Thermography Training in Australia.
He has a PhD for studies in thermal modelling of metal cutting and continues to be actively involved in machining theory.
Alan is a Senior Lecturer at the Melbourne School of Engineering, University of Melbourne. His major teaching responsibilities are industrial engineering/manufacturing. He is a committee member for ManSA (Manufacturing Society of Australia) and is an active contributor to the Infrared Thermography Community in Australia.
General enquiries: Claudine Evans
Program Coordinator
+61 3 9035 6419
TL-Thermography@unimelb.edu.au
Custom course enquiries: Greg Ireton
Senior Business Development Manager, Research, Innovation & Commercialisation
+613 8344 2019
greg.ireton@unimelb.edu.au
Accreditation
Why do I need accreditation?
Some organisations may require documentation to prove competency and verify the level of work you can do. Accreditation provides the evidence to employers and clients that you have achieved an internationally agreed standard of proficiency in Thermography.
Thermographers who successfully complete accredited courses may have access to enhanced opportunities and employment.
Formal infrared training can enable you to get the most out of organisational and individual investment in infrared camera equipment.
Industry accreditation
The International Standard for Certification of Condition Monitoring Personnel ISO18436 and the Standard for Certification of Non-Destructive Testing Personnel AS3998/ISO9712 are the two standards under which you can be certified under as a Thermographer.
How to achieve certification
The following steps need to be completed:
- Successfully complete the necessary training course (Level 1 or Level 2) and related assessment with the University of Melbourne
- Complete necessary work experience in Thermography (for AINDT accreditation, see the AINDT website aindt.com.au for the required practical experience)
- Apply to undertake the third party examination (AINDT-CMCB examination or BINDT examination)
- Pass the third party examination
- Apply to the Industry body for Certification.
For AINDT, if you have not obtained the required amount of work experience in Thermography to meet the requirements of Certification, you can become a Trainee until you have accrued enough relevant work experience.
Infrared Training Centre (ITC)
The Infrared Training Centre (ITC) at the University of Melbourne provides high-quality interactive thermography training from qualified international thermography instructors. The ITC offers infrared training, certification, and recertification in all aspects of infrared thermography use.
The University of Melbourne is the only centre in Australia that has a trainer qualified to deliver ITC level 2 programs. All curriculum is kept current and aligned with developments in technology and changes in certification requirements and industry standards by the Infrared Training Centre located in Sweden.
ITC prepares thermographers for a third party certification exam in compliance with national and/or international standards. ITC training and examination verifies that a thermographer can:
- Operate an infrared camera
- Collect quality data
- Produce professional infrared inspection reports
- Understand the techniques and limitations of infrared thermography for specific applications
To successfully complete the Level 1 and 2 requirements of ITC certification, students must participate in the required amount of face to face training, produce a small report on a thermal image/problem, and pass the ITC examination with at least 75% pass mark. A successful outcome provides students access to sit the third party examinations.
Accrediting bodies
Australian Institute for Non Destructive Testing (AINDT)
The Australian Institute for Non-Destructive Testing (AINDT) is a technical society with a national and international reputation for excellence.
They aim to provide members, certificate holders, industry and the community with an independent and professional level of service in relation to the science and practice of non-destructive testing and condition monitoring.
AINDT offers certification for non-destructive testing and condition monitoring and is only one of two national societies to offer accredited certification for condition monitoring to ISO18436, The British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT) is the other body who has this ability.
The AINDT and BINDT has signed a memorandum of understanding and a strategic vision agreement which will ensure that both institutes utilise each other’s expertise and pooling of resources. One of the main achievements which will be made available is the cross recognition of Certification issued by both institutes and eventually the issuance of AINDT/PCN Certification on one certificate issued by either AINDT or BINDT. AINDT will accept examination results issued by BINDT as meeting the examination requirements of ISO18436.
British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT)
BINDT is an Accredited Certification Body offering personnel quality management systems assessment and certification for condition monitoring and non-destructive testing against criteria set out in International and European Standards through the PCN Certification Scheme.
Of all the certifying bodies within the European Federation of Non-Destructive Testing (EFNDT), BINDT is the only CB offering a suite of three levels in all four Condition Monitoring technologies (Vibration Analysis, Acoustic Emission, Infrared Thermography and Lubrication Management) specified in ISO 18436, offering certification compliant to this standard. Whilst ITC-Europe and ASNT offer an IRT certificate in accordance with EN473 or SNT-TC-1A, respectively, overall, BINDT continues to offer the only comprehensive third-party certification in CM globally.
Becoming a certified practitioner in compliance with ISO 18436 requires three steps:
- Successful completion of the ITC training and ITC training examination (75% or above)
- Applying to undertake an independent BINDT certification examination
- Gaining the minimum experience requirements for the qualification level