Groove detection in aluminum plate using an IR sensor

A low-cost infrared temperature sensor module is developed for the detection of a concealed groove in an aluminum plate. The module consisting of five infrared temperature sensors in a row is used to scan the surface of the sample plate to measure the temperature variation while moving horizontally. A two-dimensional conduction equation is formulated and numerically solved to compare computational outcome with experimental results. The measurement results demonstrate temperature decrease at the position of the groove, which is also shown from the numerical solution of temperature distribution. Though the temperature measurement with the proposed sensor module is not stable near to the top and bottom of the plate, a distinctive temperature variation at the concealed groove shows the application possibility of the module to the detection of defects in a metal plate.