Active Thermography with Automation and AI

Inspecting industrial parts without destroying them is no longer a future concept — it is becoming part of modern manufacturing.

At the recent “Active Thermography with Automation and AI” Workshop by MTIG – Modern Transport Innovation Group, EECi, participants explored how Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) can help industries improve product quality, reliability, and safety without cutting, drilling, or damaging the actual part.

One key technology introduced was Active Thermography — an inspection technique that uses an infrared camera together with an external heat source to stimulate heat transfer on the surface of a component. When defects exist beneath or inside the material, such as voids or internal air gaps, inclusions or foreign materials, or delamination or layer separation, the heat pattern on the surface changes. This allows the system to detect signs of abnormalities without destroying the workpiece.

More importantly, the value of this technology is not only in “seeing heat.” The real opportunity lies in combining inspection data with dedicated software, automation, and AI to move from human-dependent judgment toward a more repeatable, consistent, and data-driven detection system.

However, Active Thermography is only one option within the broader NDT landscape. Different parts require different inspection methods depending on their material, geometry, thickness, defect type, and industrial standard. At EECi’s Large-scale Additive Manufacturing and Non-destructive Testing Pilot Plant, other technologies are also available, including Ultrasonic Testing / Phased Array, which uses high-frequency sound waves to detect internal defects, and Industrial CT Scan, which creates 3D images of internal structures for defect analysis, dimensional inspection, and complex component evaluation.

For companies that are unsure which inspection method is most suitable for their components or production process, EECi provides a platform to explore, test, and validate technology options with researchers and technical experts before making major investments.

This is especially important for industries moving toward advanced manufacturing, where quality is not something to be checked only at the end of production. It must be designed, inspected, and continuously improved from the beginning.

EECi is ready to support Thai industries in accessing advanced manufacturing and inspection technologies — from prototype development and technology validation to joint R&D and industrial-scale applications.

For companies interested in exploring the right technology for their components or manufacturing process, please contact EECi:

📩 info@eeci.or.th

🌐 http://www.eeci.or.th

💬 LINE OA: @eecithailand

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