**Update #2:** **[Firmware 2.48](https://github.com/maxritter/diythermocam_firmware/releases/tag/2.48)** is now out and supports the updated **ArduCAM-M-2MP Plus** camera
**Update #1:** **Patrik Thürlemann** has created a nice **3D printed enclosure** for the radiometric version of the device, check it out **[here](https://github.com/maxritter/DIY-Thermocam/tree/master/Enclosure/3D_Print_Radiometric)**.
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The **DIY-Thermocam** is a **low-cost, do-it-yourself** thermal imager, based on the popular **FLIR Lepton** long-wave-infrared array sensor.
The aim of this project is to give **private persons**, **educational institutes** and **companies** access to a **portable**, **affordable** and **customizable** thermal imaging plattform.
There are **various applications** like finding **heat leaks** in the insulation of buildings, the analysis of **electrical** or **mechanical components**, the **detection** of **persons** / animals or even mounting it on a **drone**, together with the additional **video out module**.
Constructed as a **self-assembly solution**, the DIY-Thermocam allows you to take **advantage** of the **versatile possibilities** of thermal imaging and to **save money** at one go.
**Everything**, from **software** to **hardware**, is completely **open-source**! This allows everyone to **modify** or **extend** the functionalities of the device to their **own needs**!
A **[scientific paper](https://github.com/maxritter/DIY-Thermocam/raw/master/Documents/Scientific%20Paper.pdf)** is also available, giving an **overview** about the whole **project** and its **capabilities**.
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**HOW TO MAKE IT**
You can **make** your **own DIY-Thermocam V2** at home **easily**. For the tools, you only need a **simple soldering iron**, some solder tin, a nippers and a screwdriver. The **design** of the **PCB** is very **basic**: No SMD components, only big through-hole parts and modules. The **enclosure** can be assembled easily only with **bolts & nuts**, no glue required.
An **[illustrated assembly guide](https://github.com/maxritter/DIY-Thermocam/raw/master/Documents/AssemblyGuide_05.pdf)** will lead you through the **process** of **constructing** the device, **step-by-step**. You should have soldered at least **one small project before**, but with that experience you **should be fine**.
The DIY-Thermocam works with the **FLIR Lepton2.x** (**80 x 60**) and the **FLIR Lepton3.x** (**160 x 120**) LWIR sensor, including the **radiometric versions** (**Lepton2.5** only at the moment). The **hardware revision** is **detected automatically** by the firmware **on startup** and you can **change** the sensor just with your **fingers**.
The **Lepton2.0** and **Lepton3.0** sensors do **not** have in an **internal calibration**. An **external spot sensor**, the **MLX90614** is used to generate a **transfer function** for raw values to absolute temperatures conversion. When using a **radiometric Lepton** (**Lepton2.5** or **Lepton3.5**), the **spot sensor** is **not required**.
The **[firmware update guide](https://github.com/maxritter/DIY-Thermocam/blob/master/Documents/FirmwareUpdate_08.pdf)** helps you to update your device to the **newest firmware**. In order to understand to **various device functionalities**, have a look at the **[manual](https://github.com/maxritter/DIY-Thermocam/raw/master/Documents/Manual_13.pdf)**.
For going deeper, the **structure of the raw data files** is explained **[here](https://github.com/maxritter/DIY-Thermocam/raw/master/Documents/RawData_07.pdf)**, and the **open USB serial protocol** **[here](https://github.com/maxritter/DIY-Thermocam/raw/master/Documents/SerialProtocol_15.pdf)**.
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**REQUIRED PARTS**
In order to **make your own DIY-Thermocam V2**, please use the **part list below** to acquire all the components **on your own**. **Digikey.com** offers **free international shipment** for all orders **over 100€**, so I recommend buying most of the components from them.
You can find all of the **screws, bolts, nuts & washers** at **[Ettinger](https://www.ettinger.de/en)** and maybe also at a **local construction market** near you. If you do not have a VAT and still want to buy the components from Ettinger, write a mail to [sales@ettinger.de](mailto:sales@ettinger.de) and ask for a quote.
I do **not** offer **pre-assembled** devices and am also **not responsible** for the **quality** and **completeness** of the kit from **GroupGets**.
|
FLIR Lepton (Shuttered) Long-wave-infrared array sensor |
Lepton3.5:
Digikey.com or
GroupGets.com Lepton3.0: Digikey.com or GroupGets.com Lepton2.5: Digikey.com or GroupGets.com Lepton2.0: Digikey.com or GroupGets.com |
|
FLIR Lepton Breakout Board Interface the Lepton over SPI / I2C |
Digikey.com GroupGets.com |
|
MLX90614-BCF Spot sensor for absolute temperature measurement - not required for Lepton2.5 / Lepton3.5 |
Digikey.com As-electronic.net |
|
Teensy 3.6 Cortex M4 Microcontroller |
Digikey.com PJRC.com Flikto.de |
|
SanDisk 8GB microSD card Can be any size, but needs to be Class4 microSD |
Ebay.com Amazon.com |
|
ArduCAM-M-2MP Plus Visual camera module |
Ebay.com Watterott.com |
|
3.2" TT LCD Display Module Configuration: Interface: Pin Header Connection-4-wire-SPI, Power Supply: 5V, Touch Panel: 3.2" Resistive, Font Chip: None |
BuyDisplay.com |
|
3.7V Lithium Polymer Battery Max. dimens.: 60mm (w) x 55mm (l) x 6.5mm (h) |
Ebay.com |
|
Printed Circuit Board 89.4mm (w) x 68.4mm (h), 1.6mm thickness, 2 layers |
OSHPark.com Smart-Prototyping.com Or use the gerber files |
|
Enclosure 2D laser-cut from 3mm black acryl plastic (one side frosted) |
Ponoko.com Formulor.de Or use the design files |
|
TP4057 Charging Module Including charging LED |
Ebay.com Amazon.com |
|
Pololu U3V12F5 5V voltage booster |
Amazon.com Pololu.com |
|
E-Switch R6ABLKBLKFF Power switch |
Digikey.com |
|
RAFI 1.10107.0110104 Push button |
Digikey.com |
|
E-Switch EG1201A USB power switch |
Digikey.com |
|
JST PHR-2 Lipo Connector |
Digikey.com |
|
JST S2B-PH-K-S PCB Lipo Connector |
Digikey.com |
|
Wurth 693063020911 SD slot for the SD card on the PCB |
Digikey.com |
|
MicroSD adapter Short microSD to SD adapter for the internal storage card |
Digikey.com |
|
Display connector 40-pin 2.54mm female header |
Digikey.com |
|
Lepton board connector 8-pin 2.54mm female header |
Digikey.com |
|
Pin header strip 40-pin 2.54mm male header |
Digikey.com (2 pcs) |
|
Keystone 3001 Holder for the coin cell battery |
Digikey.com |
|
CR1220 coin cell battery Battery for the real-time-clock |
Digikey.com |
|
4.7K 1/4W 1% resistor Multi-purpose resistor |
Digikey.com (4 pcs) |
|
10K 1/4W 1% resistor Multi-purpose resistor |
Digikey.com (2 pcs) |
|
Lipo protector Double-sided adhesive tape for the lipo protection on the PCB |
Ebay.com Or use any thick tape |
|
Angled microUSB cable For connection of the Thermocam to the PC and charging of the device |
Ebay.com Or use any USB cable |
|
Mini tripod Used as a stand for the device |
Ebay.com Or use any tripod |
|
Tripod socket | Amazon.com |
 |
Screw M2x10 (Details) | Ettinger.de (6 pcs) |
 |
Spacer M2x3 (Details) | Ettinger.de (6 pcs) |
 |
Spacer M2x3.5 (Details) | Ettinger.de (2 pcs) |
 |
Screw M2x8 (Details) | Ettinger.de (5 pcs) |
 |
Screw M2.5x6 Black (Details ) | Ebay.com (8 pcs) |
 |
Standoff M2.5x12 (Details) | Ettinger.de (4 pcs) |
 |
Standoff M2.5x11 (Details) | Ettinger.de (4 pcs) |
 |
Standoff M2.5x5 (Details) | Ettinger.de (4 pcs) |
 |
Nut M2 (Details) | Ettinger.de (5 pcs) |
 |
Nut M2 Plastic (Details) | Ettinger.de (6 pcs) |
 |
Washer M2 (Details) | Ettinger.de (3 pcs) |
----------
**FEATURES**
- Fast **ARM Cortex M4** processor (**240MHz**), based on the popular, **Arduino**
compatible **Teensy 3.6**
- **160x120 (Lepton3)** or **80x60 (Lepton2)** long-wave infrared array sensor for live
thermographic images
- Frame rate of up to **9 FPS** (US export compliance) over the serial
connection, 5 FPS on the device itself
- **2MP visual camera** to capture optical images, that can be used in a
combined image
- **MLX90614 single point**-infrared sensor for high-precision spot
temperatures (10° FOV)
- **HDMI** or **analog video** output capabilities (640x480 pixel) over
external video output module
- **3 operating modes**: thermal only, thermal + visual, video recording
- **18 different color schemes** including rainbow, ironblack, grayscale,
hot & cold
- 3.2 inch **LCD touch display** with bright colors, wide angle and resistive touch
- **Save thermal** and **visual images** with a resolution of 640x480 pixels
on the device
- **Save** real-time **videos** and interval images with different time-lapse
settings
- **Up to 8GB internal storage**, accessible as an exchangeable SD / microSD
slot
- **2500 mAh lithium polymer battery** for long operation time (4-6 hours)
- **Open-source firmware** written in **Arduino compatible C/C++** code
- Regular **firmware updates** with new features, flashable over a
standalone firmware updater
- **Standalone thermal viewer application** to save high-quality thermal
images & videos on the computer
- Fully **compatible** to the comprehensive **thermal analysis software**
ThermoVision by Joe-C
- Use simple **commands** to receive all thermal & configuration data over
the **USB serial port** with high speed
----------
**FEATURE TABLE**
| Feature | DIY-Thermocam | FLIR E6 |
| Thermal resolution | 80 x 60 or 160 x 120 | 160 x 120 |
| Thermal sensitivity | < 0.05° C (50 mK) | < 0.06° C (60 mK) |
| Thermal temp. range | -10° C - +140° C or -10° C - +450° C (Lepton3.5) | -20° C to 250° C |
| Field-of-view (FOV) | 56 deg HFOV, 71 deg diagonal | 45 deg × 34 deg |
| Display | 3.2" 320x240 , touch input | 3.0" 320x240, no touch input |
| Spot sensor temp. range | -70° C to 380° C (Lepton2.0/3.0 only) | -20° C to 250° C |
| Spot sensor temp. accuracy | 0.5° C over wide range | ±2 ° C or ±2% |
| Temp. measurement mode | every position, multiple positions | spot (center) mode |
| Image modes | IR image, visual image, combined | IR image, visual image. MSX |
| Color schemes | 18 different color schemes | rainbow, iron, grayscale |
| Storage mode | picture and video | picture only |
| Storage capacity | 8 GB internal storage | 500 sets of images |
| File format | standard BMP and raw data | standard JPEG and raw data |
| Operation time | about 4-6 hours | about 4 hours |
| Weight | 255g | 575g |
| Price | ~500€ | 2000€ |
The **latest releases** of device firmware can be found **[here](https://github.com/maxritter/DIY-Thermocam/tree/master/Firmware/Releases)**. For the firmware **SDK**, check out **[this instruction](https://github.com/maxritter/DIY-Thermocam/tree/master/Firmware/Source)**.
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**THERMAL IMAGES**
More thermal images in **full resolution** can be found **[here](https://github.com/maxritter/DIY-Thermocam/tree/master/Images/Thermal)**.
----------
**THERMAL IMAGE COMPARISON**
This is a **comparison** between the **DIY-Thermocam**, the **Seek XR** and a **FLIR E8** thermal imager.
----------
**SOFTWARE**
The standalone PC **[thermal live viewer](https://github.com/maxritter/DIY-Thermocam/tree/master/Software/Thermal%20Live%20Viewer)** software allows you to **capture** HQ **thermal** and **visual images**, as well as **videos** right on the **computer**. Various **settings** can be **changed** over the UI, including a calibration and two **different transfer modes**. The software is written in **Python**, so it can be modified to your own needs and executed on **any OS**. New **firmware updates** can be flashed to the device easily with the **[firmware updater](https://github.com/maxritter/DIY-Thermocam/tree/master/Software/Firmware%20Updater)** application.
There is a powerful **[thermal analysis software](https://github.com/maxritter/DIY-Thermocam/tree/master/Software/Thermal%20Analysis%20Software)** for the PC, called **ThermoVision**. The **image browser** can show all thermal & visual images on the internal storage, when the device is connected over USB. They can then be loaded with one click. The software allows you to **analyze** and **edit** the **thermal raw data files** right from the device, create **combined images** and **stream & record live images** (thermal & visual) from the Thermocam. You can even set **temperature thresholds**, which trigger a specific action like opening a file, saving an image or sending a command to the serial port.
The second possibility to **view** and **edit the raw data** files right on the **PC**, is the **[thermal data viewer](https://github.com/maxritter/DIY-Thermocam/tree/master/Software/Thermal%20Data%20Viewer)**. It allows various functions to alter the thermal range, **add measurement points** as well as various filters. The program is also capable of **converting whole folders** of raw data frames into images (JPG, BMP or PNG) or avi videos. The **live tab** allows you to stream live images from the device and the calibration tab offers functions to edit the **raw-to-absolution temperature conversion**. You can also convert videos or interval pictures with the **[video converter](https://github.com/maxritter/DIY-Thermocam/tree/master/Software/Video%20Converter)** to avi videos.
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**VIDEO OUTPUT MODULE**
If you want to mount the DIY-Thermocam on a **drone** or just wanna **output** the **video signal** to a **TV** screen, consider adding the **external video out module** to your device.
It just needs to be plugged into the **microUSB cable** of the Thermocam and is also supplied with **power** by the **internal battery**.
It is capable of providing a **HDMI signal** or **analog video output** (**PAL & NTSC**) with a resolution of **640x480** pixel.
You need the **following parts**:
| Raspberry Pi Zero | ThePiHut.com |
| Sandisk 8GB microSD | Ebay.com |
| microUSB cable | Ebay.com |
| Enclosure | Amazon.com |
| USB-OTG cable | Ebay.com |
| Mini HDMI adapter | Ebay.com |
| 2-pin female header | Digikey.com |
