PI 08M Short-wavelength Thermal Camera for 3D printing, Laser Processing and Additive Manufacturing

• Short-Wave (0.8 µm) Infrared Camera Built for Laser Processing, Laser Welding, and Additive Manufacturing
• Optimized for Nd:YAG (YAG), Fiber, Diode, and CO2 Laser Applications - Reads the Glowing Metal, Not the Beam
• Optional Laser Blocking Filter Rejects the 1064 nm YAG / Fiber Wavelength for Safe, Accurate Measurement
• Wide 575 °C to 1900 °C (1067 °F to 3452 °F) Measurement Range with No Sub-Ranges
• Up to 764 x 480 Pixel Resolution with Frame Rates to 1 kHz for Fast Laser and Melt-Pool Events
• Built-In Line Scanning for Seams, Strips, and Rotating Parts
• Accurately Measures Hot, Reflective Metals and Molten Metal Where Long-Wave Cameras Fail
• Interchangeable Optics with Six Field-of-View Options
• High-Speed Analog and Digital Outputs with 1 ms Response Time for Process Control
• Rugged IP67 / NEMA 4 Aluminum Housing - Designed and Built in Germany, Free PIX Connect Software Included

The PI 08M is a high-speed, short-wavelength thermal imaging camera engineered for the most demanding high-temperature laser processes. Operating in a narrow 0.78 to 0.82 µm (780 to 820 nm) spectral band, it is purpose-built to measure hot, reflective metals during laser material processing, laser welding, and metal additive manufacturing. It measures continuously from 575 °C to 1900 °C (1067 °F to 3452 °F) with no sub-ranges, captures radiometric thermal images up to 764 x 480 pixels, and runs at frame rates up to 1 kHz, making it fast enough to follow a moving weld pool or a rapid laser event.

A Thermal Camera for YAG, Fiber, and Diode Laser Temperature Measurement
Nd:YAG lasers (commonly called YAG lasers) emit at 1064 nm, and fiber lasers emit near 1064 to 1080 nm. Pointing an ordinary thermal camera at a workpiece while one of these lasers is firing floods the sensor with reflected and scattered laser light, corrupting the reading or overwhelming the detector entirely. The PI 08M solves this in two ways. First, its measurement band sits at roughly 0.8 µm, well below the 1064 nm laser line, so the camera is naturally biased toward the thermal glow of the metal rather than the laser wavelength. Second, an optional laser blocking filter is available that rejects the YAG and fiber laser wavelength, so the camera can look directly into the process zone and still return a clean, accurate temperature. The result is dependable, real-time temperature data during YAG, fiber, and diode laser processing, when and where you need it most.

Why Short-Wave Wins on Metals
Conventional long-wave infrared cameras struggle with metals. Bare and molten metal have low, unstable emissivity in the long-wave band, so readings drift and reflections throw them off. The PI 08M measures at a wavelength where most metals emit far more strongly and predictably. Planck's radiation law also favors short wavelengths at high temperatures, which means emissivity uncertainty has much less influence on the result. In practice that translates to better repeatability, smaller reflection errors, and more trustworthy process control when measuring shiny, high-temperature surfaces such as steel, iron, copper, and other alloys.

Fast Enough for Laser and Melt-Pool Monitoring
Laser processes happen quickly, and the PI 08M is built to keep up. It delivers 764 x 480 pixels at 32 Hz for full-resolution detail, 382 x 288 at 80 Hz for fast-moving objects, and a 72 x 56 window at 1 kHz for rapid, transient events such as a melt pool or a pulsed laser interaction. A 764 x 8 sub-image at 1 kHz enables the built-in line scanning function, producing continuous thermal profiles across seams, strips, coils, and rotating parts. Analog and digital outputs respond in as little as 1 ms, so the camera can feed a controller or PLC fast enough to react in-process.

Built for Additive Manufacturing and Metal 3D Printing
The same qualities that make the PI 08M ideal for laser welding make it a natural fit for metal additive manufacturing. It is well suited to directed energy deposition (DED), laser metal deposition (LMD), laser cladding, wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM), and other NIR and CO2 laser based processes where surface and melt-pool temperature drive part quality. By monitoring the thermal signature layer by layer, the PI 08M helps developers and production teams control fusion, reduce defects, and validate repeatable builds.

Typical Applications
Laser welding and laser brazing temperature monitoring; Nd:YAG, fiber, and diode laser material processing; metal additive manufacturing (DED, LMD, laser cladding, WAAM, powder-bed processes); melt-pool and weld-seam monitoring; induction and hardening processes; hot forming, forging, and rolling of metals; and molten metal and foundry measurement. Anywhere a shiny metal glows hot and a laser or high-temperature source is involved, the PI 08M is designed to read it accurately.

Choosing the Right Lens
The PI 08M uses interchangeable optics, with six field-of-view options so you can match the camera to your target size and working distance. Two of the most common configurations are the 27° x 17° lens (561:1 optical resolution) and the 41° x 25° lens (353:1), both focusing as close as 300 mm. Narrower optics concentrate the pixels onto a small area to resolve fine detail at a distance, while wider optics capture more of the scene. Because each lens is calibrated to the camera, the field of view is selected at the time of purchase; confirm your target distance and the smallest feature you need to measure before ordering. The smallest measurable spot is about 0.4 mm, and the smallest detectable spot is about 0.1 mm.

Process Integration and Software
Every camera includes the license-free PIX Connect software, a full thermal-imaging platform for live measurement, analysis, recording, line scanning, alarming, and image merging. A direct analog output (0/4 to 20 mA) and an isolated input are built in, and an optional industrial process interface adds multiple analog and relay outputs with a fail-safe relay for direct connection to a PLC. For custom integration, developer kits and APIs (Connect SDK, EasyAPI, ExpertAPI) provide temperature data straight to your own monitoring or automation application. The camera connects over USB 2.0, with an optional Gigabit Ethernet (PoE) server available for longer runs.

Rugged, Compact, and Made in Germany
The PI 08M packs a high-dynamic CMOS detector into a compact aluminum body measuring 46 x 56 x 88 to 129 mm and weighing 245 to 311 g depending on lens. It is rated IP67 / NEMA 4 against dust and water and tested to IEC 60068 standards for shock and vibration. For hot or dirty installations, an optional cooling jacket extends operation to ambient temperatures up to 315 °C, and air-purge and protective-window accessories keep the optics clean. The camera is designed, manufactured, and calibrated in Germany for demanding industrial use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the PI 08M measure temperature during Nd:YAG (YAG) laser welding?
Yes. Its short-wave 0.8 µm measurement band sits away from the 1064 nm YAG laser line, and an optional laser blocking filter rejects the laser wavelength so the camera can view the process zone directly and still return accurate temperatures.

Does it work with fiber and diode lasers too?
Yes. Fiber lasers emit near 1064 to 1080 nm and are handled the same way as YAG. The PI 08M is well suited to fiber, diode, Nd:YAG, and CO2 laser processing.

Can the PI 08M measure metals?
Yes. It is specifically optimized for hot, reflective metals and molten metal, where its short wavelength delivers far better accuracy and repeatability than long-wave thermal cameras.

What temperature range does it cover?
A single continuous range from 575 °C to 1900 °C (1067 °F to 3452 °F), with no sub-ranges to switch between.

SPECIFICATIONS

Resolution: up to 764 x 480 pixels (at 32 Hz); 382 x 288 at 80 Hz
Detector: high-dynamic CMOS, 15 µm pixel pitch, 14-bit
Spectral Range: 0.78 to 0.82 µm (780 to 820 nm), short-wave
Temperature Range: 575 to 1900 °C (1067 to 3452 °F), no sub-ranges
Accuracy: ±1 % of reading (at 1500 °C); ±1.5 % of reading in 1 kHz mode (at 2000 °C)
Frame Rate: 32 Hz full resolution; 80 Hz subframe; 1 kHz fast subframe and line scan
Optics (FOV): interchangeable, six options, including 27° x 17° (f = 25 mm) and 41° x 25° (f = 16 mm)
Optical Resolution (D:S): 561:1 (27° lens); 353:1 (41° lens)
Minimum Distance to Target: 300 mm
Smallest Detectable Spot (IFOV): 0.1 mm
Smallest Measurable Spot (MFOV, 4 x 4 pixels): 0.4 mm
Emissivity / Transmissivity: adjustable 0.100 to 1.100
Warm-Up Time: 10 min

Interface: USB 2.0; optional Gigabit Ethernet (PoE) server
Compatible Software: PIX Connect, Connect SDK, EasyAPI, ExpertAPI
Direct Output / Input: 1x analog output (0/4 to 20 mA) / 1x input (analog or digital); optically isolated; 1 ms response time
Optional Industrial Process Interface (PIF): 3x analog outputs (0/4 to 20 mA), 3x relay outputs (0 to 30 V), 2x inputs, fail-safe relay
Cable Length: USB: 1 m (standard), 3 m, 5 m, 10 m, 20 m
Image Processing: areas of interest, line scanner, event grabber, merger, alarming, comparison functions, temperature-time diagrams and profiles (via PIX Connect)

Enclosure Size: 46 x 56 x 88 to 129 mm (depending on lens and focus position)
Housing Material: aluminum
Weight: 245 to 311 g depending on lens
Tripod Mount: 1/4-20 UNC
Protection Class: IP67 / NEMA 4
Storage Temperature: -40 to 70 °C
Relative Humidity: 20 to 80 %, non-condensing
Shock: IEC 60068-2-27 (25 G and 50 G)
Vibration: IEC 60068-2-6 (sinusoidal), IEC 60068-2-64 (broadband noise)
EMC: 2014/30/EU
Standards: CE, UKCA, RoHS
Power Supply: USB, max. 2.5 W
Country of Origin: Germany

Scope of Supply / What comes with your order
Infrared camera PI 08M with the lens selected at order · USB cable (1 m) · output/input cable (1 m) incl. terminal block · tripod · rugged IP67 transport case · PIX Connect software package · product manual