Long-life cooled MWIR cameras launched for 24/7 automation and quality assurance inspection

Flir has launched the Flir A6450 Long-Life Cooled MWIR Cameras, a new thermal imaging solution purpose-built for continuous industrial automation, process control, and non-destructive testing applications.

Designed to overcome long-standing barriers to deploying cooled thermal cameras in production environments, the cameras combine industry-leading long-life cooling, high-speed MWIR performance, and automation-ready integration, enabling manufacturers and system integrators to deploy high-performance thermal imaging in true 24/7 operations.

"Historically, the timing and cost of maintaining cooled thermal cameras limited their use in production line applications," said Matthew Hasty, global vertical director of Automation for Flir. "With the A6450, we've fundamentally changed that equation delivering long-life cooled MWIR performance that manufacturers can confidently deploy across continuous production processes."

At the core of the camera is a revolutionary, HOT MWIR detector paired with an industry-leading linear cooler, delivering up to 27,000 hours of operational life. This extended lifespan dramatically decreases the necessity for annual maintenance, enabling manufacturers to shift from short service intervals to multi-year operational planning. By reducing downtime, service costs, and operational risk, the device transforms cooled MWIR cameras from specialised inspection tools into reliable, long-term automation assets.

The camera is designed for applications where timing is critical. With a 125Hz frame rate, the camera accurately captures fast thermal events and subtle temperature variations on moving products, capabilities essential for non-destructive testing, process monitoring, and inline quality assurance.

High thermal sensitivity allows users to detect early-stage defects, material inconsistencies, or process deviations before they propagate downstream, helping reduce scrap, rework, and unplanned downtime.

Built on proven industry-recognised Flir A6700-Series electronics, the camera supports GigE Vision, GenICam, and other industry-standard protocols, enabling seamless integration into existing automation systems. Customer-driven interfaces, commands, and triggers allow system integrators to deploy the camera quickly without custom development.

For pre-deployment testing and validation, the A6450 offers plug-and-play compatibility with Flir Research Studio, allowing users to test, tune, and validate inspection setups before full system integration.