Raytek, a leading worldwide provider of infrared (IR) thermometry, recently introduced the MI3 Series of infrared temperature measurement sensors.

The MI3, a rugged, IP 65 stainless steel miniature pyrometer with integrated electronics, is said to be the smallest fully functional, stand-alone infrared temperature sensor for fixed installation on the market today.

All sensor-operating parameters are easily accessed and configured through the standard user interface with large backlit LCD display, or with the powerful Raytek DataTemp Multidrop software via the USB 2.0 digital interface.

The MI3 sensor comes with a separate communication module for use with standard industrial outputs, the MI3COMM communications box, which supports up to eight (8) individually addressable MI3 miniature sensor heads.

The digital communication between the sensor and the communication box has several advantages:
• Plug-and play connection of the sensor head – sensors are automatically recognised by the communication box, no need for manual setting of calibration codes.
• The sensors can be easily integrated into any control system via their internal digital bus.
• No cable bending/moving effects allowing continuous reliable measurement in moving installations (robotic arms, linear drives, chains etc).

For multiple sensor applications with USB and RS485, four MI3 sensors can be directly connected to the MI3MCOMM box which is available in a convenient DIN-rail mountable package.

For high-volume OEM applications, the sensing heads allow a direct digital interface to the host machine controller, without the need for a communication box.

The MI3 sensor provides all the functionality of the proven Raytek MI Series with significant new features. These include a broad choice of sensing head temperature ranges (from –40 up to 1,650°C) and spectral responses, a standard USB 2.0 digital interface for easy sensor set-up and configuration, a fully programmable electronics platform, and response times as fast as 20 ms.