Routing

This chapter describes the FLIR Inspection Route solution in general and how to create routes and inspection reports on the Routing page.

Note

The inspection route functionality is available as a plug-in for FLIR Thermal Studio Pro. For information on how to activate the FLIR Route Creator plug-in, see Plug-in activation.

FLIR Inspection Route

FLIR Inspection Route is a solution that streamlines thermal inspections and simplifies data collection and reporting. The solution includes FLIR software and camera support for preparation, inspection, and post-processing.

With the Inspection Route function, the camera guides the operator along a predefined route of inspection points, where images and data are collected in a structured manner. FLIR Inspection Route speeds up post-processing and reporting by ensuring that nothing is missed and that all inspection results are organized right from the start.

The inspection work flow is defined by a Route file, with a high degree of flexibility. It is possible to configure an automated work flow, where the camera automatically sets the status and steps to the next inspection point when an image is saved. The operator can also manually select the status, add comments, and add more images.

The Route file is used as template when starting an inspection in the camera. It is possible to have multiple Route files in camera and the operator can run multiple inspections based on any of the Route files in the camera.

Reference images enable guidance support, increase quality in decision making in the field, and speeds up data collection by defining a baseline for the user based on a set of predefined parameters.

Work flow

The work flow typically involves the following steps:

  1. Prepare one or more Route files.

  2. Add the Route file(s) to the camera memory card.

  3. Perform one or more inspections based on the Route files available on the memory card.

  4. Transfer the inspection results to a computer, using one of the following methods:

    • Upload the results to cloud storage and then automatically sync the files with the computer.

    • Upload the results to cloud storage and then manually download the files to the computer.

    • Transfer and save the results manually using the USB cable or the memory card.

  5. Create an inspection report.

FLIR Inspection Route Solution user manual

The FLIR Inspection Route Solution user manual describes how to configure Route files, perform inspections, transfer inspection results, and create inspection reports using a camera with FLIR Inspection Route enabled, the FLIR Thermal Studio application, and the FLIR Ignite cloud service.

To access the FLIR Inspection Route Solution user manual, go to http://support.flir.com/resources/route.

First generation FLIR Inspection Route

The first generation of the Inspection Route functionality in the camera was based on an inspection route file in .xml format. The new Inspection Route functionality is based on a Route file in .routex format.

The camera still supports the xml based functionality. However, it is not possible to use a mix of .xml and .routex files on the camera memory card.

FLIR Thermal Studio supports both file formats.

User manual

For a description of the xml based FLIR Inspection Route functionality, refer to the user manual for the FLIR Inspection Route Solution, First generation.

To access the user manual, go to http://support.flir.com/resources/route.

Create Route file

You can create a Route file in FLIR Thermal Studio.

General

The Route file specifies the route structure, consisting of multiple levels of locations, assets, and inspection points. The Route file also specifies the statuses that can be set for an inspection point during the inspection and the configuration of the camera behavior.

You can build the route structure manually in FLIR Thermal Studio.

It is also possible to import a structure from an asset management system. The file to import must be an Excel file (.xslx) or a Comma Separated Values file (.csv). After the import, you can make additional changes to the structure and configure the Route file manually.

Import structure

  1. Start FLIR Thermal Studio and select the Routing page.

  2. In the View group on the top toolbar, click Route creator.

  3. On the top toolbar, click Generic route import.

  4. In the Open window, open the file (.xlsx or .csv) from your asset management system.

  5. In the Column mapping window, select how to map the columns in your file to fields in FLIR Thermal Studio.

  6. When you have completed the mapping, click Import. This displays your structure in the Asset list workspace.

  7. To make additional changes to the route structure and configure the Route file, see section Create a Route file.

  8. To save the Route file, click Save on the top toolbar and save as a .routex file.

Note

The column mapping is saved and will apply next time you import a file. To modify the mapping, click Settings on the top toolbar and then click Generic route import.

Create a Route file

  1. Select the Routing page.

  2. In the View group on the top toolbar, click Route creator. This displays the Asset list workspace.

    Note

    If there are already assets in the workspace, click New on the top toolbar to create a new asset list (route).

  3. The Asset list workspace is where you build the route structure.

    1. Click the Add location button to add a location at Level 1.

    Locations:

    1. Click the Add location button to add a location at a level below this location.

    2. Click the Add asset button to add an asset below this location.

    Assets:

    1. Click the Add inspection point button to add an inspection point to this asset.

    Locations, assets, and inspection points:

    1. Click the Move up or Move down button to move the item.

    2. Click the Create duplicate button to duplicate this item.

    3. Click the Remove button to remove this item and all of its dependents.

    Note

    Only clear the Include asset check box if you want to exclude the item when you export the route. You may, for example, want to create a Route file for only a part of the structure and then you clear the check box for the items you want to exclude.

  4. Enter the asset properties that will be displayed in the camera user interface as guidance to the operator:

    1. For all locations, assets, and inspection points, enter a Name.

    2. For the inspection points, you may want to add a Description, for example instructions or reminders.

    3. To add a reference image to an inspection point, click the Add reference image button. For more information, see section Reference images.

  5. To configure the settings that control the behavior of the camera during the inspection, click Route properties on the top toolbar. This opens a new window.

    Route properties:

    • Status list: This setting defines the text and colors of the statuses. You can change the default settings and specify customized statuses for your inspection points, e.g. Broken, Maintenance required, Not inspected.

    • Auto next: This setting defines if the camera after saving an image automatically will set the default status and step to the next inspection point. If most inspection points will have the default status, you will save inspection time by selecting the check box. If you often want to set the status or add comments to the inspection points, it may be more convenient to deselect the check box.

      Note

      To change the default status, select the Enable default status check box and then select the status from the Default status list.

    • Require image: This setting defines if the operator must save an image before it is possible to set the status of an inspection point.

    • Delete empty assets: This setting defines if all empty inspection points (no image and no status) will be removed from the Inspection file when the inspection is finished.

  6. On the top toolbar, click Save and save the Route as a .routex file.

  7. The Route file (.routex) is now ready to be used as template for inspections in the camera.

Create inspection report

When you have completed an inspection in the camera, you can create an inspection report by using the Inspection wizard on the Routing page.

Prepare inspection results

The inspection results, including all inspection data and images, are stored in the Inspection file (.route).

Make sure you have the Inspection file (.route) available on your computer.

Uploaded results

When uploading the inspection results to FLIR Ignite, the camera uploads the Inspection file (.route) to your FLIR Ignite account.

If FLIR Ignite Sync is set up for automatic sync (see section ), the Inspection file (.route) should be in your sync folder on the computer.

To manually transfer the Inspection file (.route) from FLIR Ignite to your computer, do the following:

  1. Sign in to your FLIR Ignite account.

  2. Find the .route file.

  3. Select the .route file by clicking the row.

  4. Click the DOWNLOAD button.

Results on memory card

To transfer the Inspection file (.route) from the camera memory card to your computer, do the following:

  1. Connect the camera to the computer with a USB cable or insert the memory card into the computer.

  2. Go to the folder named Inspections located at the root of the memory card.

  3. Save the Inspection file (.route) to the computer.

Note

In FLIR Thermal Studio, you can also open the Inspection file (.route) directly from the Inspections folder on the camera memory card.

Open inspection results

  1. Start FLIR Thermal Studio and select the Routing page.

  2. On the top toolbar, click Inspection wizard. This opens the Open window.

    Note

    If the wizard is already in progress with another inspection, click Open on the top toolbar to open a new inspection.

  3. In the Open window, find the location for the Inspection file (.route) and open the .route file.

Create an inspection report

  1. Open the inspection results, see section Open inspection results.

  2. In the Inspection wizard group on the top toolbar, click the Select template item. This opens the Available templates window.

  3. In the Available templates window, click a template and then click Select.

    • Inspection default template: Template for inspection reports (with this template, the reference images will not be included in the report).

    • Inspection default ref image: Template for inspection reports with reference images. See also section Report with reference images.

  4. At the lower right corner, click the Next screen arrow.

  5. To review the inspection results, click the inspection points in the Route structure. This displays the reference image (if there is one), the inspection image(s), status, and any comments for the inspection point.

    You can edit the inspection images, change statuses, and add more information to the inspection points. To open the image editor, double-click the image.

  6. You can save the report session as an .aws file. This will allow you to continue working with the report later. On the top toolbar, click Save as and then click Save as inspection.

  7. At the lower right corner, click the Generate report button. This opens the report on the Reporting page.

    Note

    If there is an unsaved report open on the Reporting page, a message will be displayed asking if you would like to save the changes.

  8. On the Reporting page, you can make additional changes to the report using the normal reporting functions.

  9. You can save the report as an .atr file. This will allow you to continue working with the report later. On the top toolbar, click File, then click Save as, and then click Save as report.

  10. You can export the report to, for example, a PDF file. On the top toolbar, click File and then click Export to.

Reference images

Reference images enable guidance support, increase quality in decision making in the field, and speeds up data collection by defining a baseline for the user based on a set of predefined parameters.

With FLIR Thermal Studio, it is possible to convert the images from an inspection to reference images. You can also add reference images manually when you create a Route file.

The camera can be configured to use the same measurement tools, measurement parameters, temperature scale values, and color palette as in the reference images.

Create Route file with reference images from inspection

You can export an inspection to a Route file (.routex) and use the inspection images as reference images in the new Route file.

  1. Create a Route file, see section Create a Route file.

    Note

    Do not add any reference images at this point. It is only possible to have one reference image for each inspection point. If there already is a reference image in the Route file, it will not be possible to replace it with an inspection image.

  2. Perform an inspection with the camera and take reference images for all inspection points.

  3. Make sure you have the inspection results available on your computer, see section Prepare inspection results.

  4. Start FLIR Thermal Studio and select the Routing page. Click Inspection wizard and open the Inspection file (.route). See also section Open inspection results.

  5. At the lower right corner, click the Next screen arrow.

  6. To review the images, click the inspection points in the Route structure.

  7. On the top toolbar, click Save as and then click Export to routex. Save the inspection as a .routex file.

  8. When asked, click Yes to save the inspection images as reference images.

  9. For inspection points with more than one image, select the image you want to use as reference image. Then click Export.

Add reference images manually

You can manually add reference images to a Route file in FLIR Thermal Studio.

  1. Start FLIR Thermal Studio and select the Routing page. Do one of the following:

  2. Select an inspection point. To add a reference image, click the Add reference image button.

  3. To delete the reference image, right-click the image and select Delete.

    To edit the reference image, double-click the image. This opens the image editor.

Report with reference images

With the Inspection default ref image template, the reference images will be included in the report.

You can also add reference images to your own report templates. For details on how to create report templates, refer to the FLIR Thermal Studio user manual.

To add reference images to a report template, do the following:

  1. Start FLIR Thermal Studio and select the Reporting page.

  2. In the File group on the toolbar, click New and then click Generate report using template.

  3. In the Available templates pane, right-click the template you want to edit, and then click Edit. The template is opened.

  4. In the Pages pane, click the report page where you want to add the reference image.

  5. Click Insert image, and then click Thermogram. A placeholder for a thermal image is added to the report page.

  6. In the right pane, scroll down to the Tag field and enter reference_image.