FLIR MIX — Multispectral Infrared eXperience (Overview)
FLIR MIX synchronizes high-speed thermal and visible imaging into temporally and spatially aligned datasets—designed for high-speed research, materials testing, and precise multispectral analysis.
Executive Summary
FLIR MIX is a multispectral imaging solution that captures synchronized infrared (thermal) and visible-light imagery, enabling pixel-perfect temporal and spatial alignment between the two modalities. It is offered as starter kits (for X-Series and A-Series cameras) and as a Toolkit for detailed post-processing and research workflows.
Core Benefits
- Temporally synchronized thermal & visible channels for precise event correlation.
- High frame-rate capture for fast transient events (high-speed testing).
- Pixel-perfect alignment reduces manual post-processing and registration errors.
- Integrates with FLIR Research Studio for analysis and export workflows.
Technical Overview
How MIX Works
MIX couples a high-frame-rate thermal camera with a matched visible camera, plus precision mounting, optics, and synchronization electronics. The system records both channels with exact timestamps and geometric calibration so frames can be merged or compared frame-by-frame without spatial or temporal ambiguity.
Key Components
- Thermal imager (X-Series or A-Series depending on kit).
- High-speed visible camera and optics tuned for alignment.
- Mounting hardware and cabling for rigid co-alignment.
- Software support (Research Studio + MIX Toolkit) for capture, alignment, and analysis.
Starter Kits & Performance (Examples)
| Kit | Target Camera | Notable Performance | Common Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| FLIR MIX — X-Series Starter Kit | FLIR X-Series thermal cameras | High-speed capture up to ~1004 FPS (full-speed configurations) | Airbag tests, ballistics, materials failure, high-speed thermal events |
| FLIR MIX — A-Series Starter Kit | FLIR A-Series thermal cameras | High-quality synchronized capture; A-Series kit supports industry R&D workflows (varies by model, e.g., up to ~125 FPS in some configs) | Electronics testing, battery & thermal runaway studies, component level testing |
Exact frame rates and supported resolutions depend on camera model and chosen configuration — verify with product documentation for your selected camera and kit.
MIX Toolkit & Software
The MIX Toolkit (an add-on to FLIR Research Studio) provides frame-by-frame alignment, advanced merging tools, and export options that simplify post-processing of multispectral datasets. This toolkit is intended for researchers who require precise control over registration and analysis workflows.
- Precise spatial registration & temporal alignment tools.
- Export synchronized datasets for analysis and reporting.
- Workflow integrations with research and test environments.
Application Examples & Use Cases
- Aerospace / Ballistics: visualize heat generation during high-speed events with visible context to locate structural responses.
- Automotive / Airbag testing: correlate thermal signatures with deployment mechanics.
- Battery & Electronics R&D: capture thermal runaway or transient heating events with visual confirmation.
- Materials testing & research: study rapid thermal phenomena and their visual causes.
Best Practices
- Use rigid mounting to maintain spatial alignment; avoid flexible couplings for high-speed tests.
- Calibrate optical alignment in your test setup before critical captures.
- Record raw synchronized files and keep metadata (timestamps, lens, distance) for reproducibility.
- Document camera models and kit configurations in reports to preserve data provenance.
Report-Ready Quick Reference
| Field | Suggested Entry |
|---|---|
| Dataset Name | project_testID_date_mixXseries (e.g., MIX_projectA_2025-09-08_XS1) |
| Kit / Cameras | FLIR MIX X-Series Kit — Xxxx camera + visible camera (specify models) |
| Frame Rate | Specify thermal & visible FPS (e.g., thermal 1004 FPS / visible 1004 FPS) |
| Notes | Distance, optics, mounting, environmental conditions, and whether toolkit alignment used |