What are some common industrial applications for infrared thermometers?

There are literally hundreds of applications in industry for infrared thermometers.  Some uses would not occur to the average person.  Here is a list of some common applications, and a few unusual ones as well!

HVAC- Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technicians are one of the most frequent users of portable infrared thermometers.  It is vital in their job, to take accurate measurements, usually from a distance to gauge the efficiency of the unit by measuring the degree of cooling (or heating) of the air.

Home Inspections- Home inspectors have many uses as listed in the categories above.  They also might use their infrared thermometer to measure hot water temperature, look for insulation leaks etc.  This is becoming on of the most popular applications for pyrometers.

Health Inspectors- Perhaps not an example that would occur to everyone, health inspectors closely monitor many temperature related things in and around food handling and preparation.  Heating bins and surfaces hot enough?  Refrigerators and freezers cold enough to protect food from spoiling?  Restaurant owners, does your health inspector use an infrared thermometer?  If so, getting the same tool he uses is wise to avoid surprises!

Process Controls- This is a very broad category, but the following list details some industries that utilize handheld infrared thermometers for monitoring and maintaining temperature sensitive aspects of their business.  Some examples are:

Measuring the surface temperature of curing concrete to determine if cracking is a danger.

Measuring asphalt prior to pour to ensure smooth application.

Measuring ink temperatures prior to mix for accurate color matching in printing presses.

Monitoring the temperature of lamination materials for proper adhesion

Verifying part temperature following an oven baking operation to ensure proper drying, ductility, curing of paints and coatings etc.

Any application where taking temperature is either impossible through direct contact because of barriers or distance.

Taking temperatures in a hazardous environment where the user can maintain a safe distance by using non contact infrared thermometer technology.