In automotive testing, high-speed cameras have become an indispensable tool. High-speed cameras are crucial for testing, analyzing, and improving the performance and safety of vehicles.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the significance of high-speed cameras in automotive testing and recommend a high-speed camera suitable for these environments and applications.
Importance of High-Speed Cameras in Automotive Testing
Automotive testing is a comprehensive process that includes a range of assessments from crash simulations to component durability checks. High-speed imaging is critical in this field because it provides detailed visual data that assists automotive research and development.
High-speed cameras are crucial in capturing rapid events that are impossible to observe with the naked eye or standard video equipment. In automotive testing, high-speed cameras are necessary for capturing every millisecond of crash events to help engineers analyze the impact on various vehicle parts and the efficacy of safety features like airbags and seatbelts. It also helps analyze the durability and performance of individual components under stress, such as tires, suspension systems, and engines.
High-speed imaging also assists in aerodynamic analysis, by filming wind tunnel tests, engineers can study the airflow over a vehicle’s body, leading to improvements in fuel efficiency and handling and identifying causes of vibrations and impacts during normal vehicle operation.
Photron’s FASTCAM MH6 High-Speed Camera for Automotive Testing
At Tech Imaging, we offer a range of high-speed cameras that are well-suited for automotive testing applications, with Photron’s FASTCAM MH6 High-Speed Camera being a top recommendation as it’s perfectly suited for space and weight-constrained locations commonly found in both vehicle safety testing and military testing applications. The Photron FASTCAM MH6 camera system provides an impressive mix of resolution, frame rate, light sensitivity, and durability through multiple small and lightweight camera heads with a single control unit.
Specifications and Features of the Photron FASTCAM MH6
The Photron FASTCAM MH6 features six miniature camera heads (each measuring 35mm x 35mm x 36mm and weighing 100g) that can be connected to a single control unit. The system includes thin, flexible cables of various lengths, enabling diverse camera head viewing angles and mounting positions. The camera heads and the control unit are highly durable, having been tested to withstand up to 160G forces.
Each camera head in the Photron FASTCAM MH6 delivers exceptional image quality with 1080 HD resolution at 1,000 frames per second and boasts industry-leading light sensitivity of ISO 5,000 for color and ISO 10,000 for monochrome. The camera heads are compatible with standard 1-inch C-mount ruggedized lenses. The MH6 system supports automated image download to built-in non-volatile memory, with image transfer to a computer facilitated through Gigabit Ethernet and USB3.
Key features include:
- Max Resolution/Max Frame Rate: 1920 x 1080 pixels @ 1,000fps
- Memory: 24GB
- Max Frame Rate: 5000 fps
- Max Shutter Speed: 4μs
- Interface: Gigabit Ethernet
- Bit Depth: 8-bit
- IRIG-B: Yes
- Shutter Type: Global Electronic Shutter
- Light Sensitivity: Designed with high light sensitivity, allowing for clear imaging in various lighting conditions, which is crucial for detailed analysis.
- Durability: Built to withstand harsh testing environments, ensuring reliable performance even under extreme crash testing conditions.
- Compact Design: Multiple small and lightweight camera heads with a single control unit allow easy integration into tight spaces within vehicles and testing rigs.
High-speed cameras are necessary in the automotive industry to improve vehicle safety, performance, and innovation. With comprehensive visuals and data, these cameras enable engineers to make informed decisions, leading to safer and more efficient vehicles. For more recommendations on high-speed cameras that are best suited for automotive testing, reach out to our team online.
Your Premier Source for High-Speed Cameras
If you are looking for custom-engineered high-speed cameras to meet your needs, our Tech Imaging team is here to assist you. To speak to one of our representatives, call (800) 613-8180.