REVIEW: Dianyang Technology CA10 Circuit Board Thermal Analyzer - Repair / R&D

[Fraser]

£683 from the fonefunshop…..

https://www.onbuy.com/gb/ca10-thermal-imaging-camera-for-phone-logic-board-leakage-heat-detection~c9704~p40165361/?exta=gshp&stat=eyJpcCI6IjY4My40OTAwIiwiZHAiOm51bGwsImxpZCI6NTM5MjEyNzcsInMiOm51bGwsInQiOjE2MjYxMTQzMTcsImJtYyI6MH0=&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6NmHBhD2ARIsAI3hrM35VM5YM4Qy8cdHBC37rTAc3ceAf76cMxHkny_NNbgaESuNZTS_KxMaAsy3EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

[TheAmmoniacal]

Any idea how it compares with the two models available on AliExpress? The software looks very good, something I'm very skeptical about with "AliExpress" thermal cameras.

Qianli Toolplus SuperCam X 3D Thermal imager Camera:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002505536488.html

iRepair RC10 Thermal Camera:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001156871176.html

[Fraser]

I have not tested those two cameras but I think the RC10 is lower resolution at 160 x 120 pixels and simple design. The Supercam X is similar to the CA10 but is a simpler mechanical design. Beyond that I cannot comment as I have not had access to these units.

[Fraser]

I have added a couple of new posts to the PCBA thermal analysis thread that may be of interest. Alex of NorthridgeFIX demonstrates the power of the thermal imaging camera when it comes to tracking down failed MLCC’s quickly 

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/thermal-imaging/use-of-a-thermal-camera-for-pcba-thermal-profiling-and-repair/25/

Fraser

[Dianyang]

RC10 didn't upgrade the functions for many years, it has 1080P visible and 160x120 thermal camera with blending technology, the distance between PCBA to the camera is fixed since the blending technology, which means you can not move the PCBA close to the camera to see very detail and clear image.

Super Cam X is new generation camera focus on mobile phone troubleshooting and repair.

Our CA-10 is focused on all size PCBA troubleshooting and repair, also has more R&D features, such as to record a very long time thermal data of the PCBA and analysis, we will upgrade the software in the next month.

If you want to try one sample, you may buy it from our Amazon shop,
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098JSNSC4?ref=myi_title_dp

[Fraser]

For those following this thread, I will be testing the updated software from Dianyang Technology. I understand that his update includes additional functionality for R&D applications of the CA-10 camera. I have no details yet but will update this thread once I have the software and had a chance to look at its feature set. I am very pleased to see that DYT continue to invest time in developing this analysis software. The hardware of the CA-10 is already excellent and additional software development is great to see.

More when I have news

Fraser

[Fraser]

Good news…. I have just completed Beta testing of the latest release of DYT’s thermal analysis software (V1.0.4).

The original software was not buggy so the new release is not about bug fixes, but rather, additional functionality Who does not like an improved software eh ? When I reviewed the V1.0.0 software originally released with the CA-10 I knew that it was likely to be missing some features that were still under development as DYT were very clear that they intended to continue with the development of their analysis software. This is their new ‘baby’ and they are invested in it becoming better and better with each new version release.

As readers of my previous review will know, the software was already very well formed and capable. What it lacked was a sophisticated thermal plotting and recording function for R&D work. It also required Radiometric file saving, but more on that later.

I will be producing a review of the latest analysis software release but, in summary, it now provides a very neat temperature plotting module that can display the temperature of all ROI measurements simultaneously on a very nice graph. There are all manner of settings to control what the plotting module does and this is an excellent enhancement. There is even a picture capture trigger mode where a user sets a maximum temperature threshold and if the Device Under Test exceeds this threshold, a picture of the scene is automatically captured for later analysis. The time interval between measurements is user definable so this plotting mode can operate over long periods of time and could produce time lapse recordings. The mode also includes a video recorder function to capture the graph in real time. Saved files include a CSV data set for further analysis  More about this new temperature plotting module in my review, to follow.

The saving of images that contain Radiometric data is very desirable in a thermal analysis software package. DYT know this but do not want to delay release of their product by waiting for the Radiometric file save feature to be completed by their development team. Not everyone needs that ‘off-line’ analysis feature so I support their approach to ongoing development whilst releasing well formed software revisions at their earliest opportunity. Remember, these are not bug riddled releases, each is designed, tested and only released when they meet the high standards that DYT strive for …..  Microsoft take note ! With this in mind, I can state that DYT have produced the Radiometric file save feature that I hoped would be included in a future release. They are still developing the off-line image analysis interface however as it is a proprietary Radiometric file format. I have no further information on the data file format used and do not know whether DYT will make it public for 3rd party application development. We will have to wait and see. The Radiometric file analysis software will be released when DYT have completed its development. If their current software is anything to go by, we should see a well designed program that supports all the features desirable in such an analysis package It may be a module integrated into the current software or a separate piece of analysis software. I do not have that detail yet but I look forward to its release. I may be wrong but from my communications with DYT the new software release saves images with the Radiometric data included. We just do not have a way to read that radiometric data …. Yet.

There is also an interesting new measurement feature in the pre-release BETA software that I just tested. Support for a USB thermometer with the temperature displayed on the thermal scene display. This will enable monitoring of an area in the scene with a physical contact type temperature sensor as well as the IR non contact measurements. A very nice feature that would be very useful as a thermal camera measurement confidence and Emissivity check  I do not know if this feature is ready for release yet so it may not be in the latest public release version of the software. I will check and I have already asked DYT about the availability of the USB temperature measurement dongle.

More on that when I have news.

The latest software release additional functionality review will follow as soon as I have time to write it 

Fraser

[Fraser]

NorthridgeFIX video showing the power of a thermal imaging camera when it comes to working on modern high density electronics……

https://youtu.be/WxPILuGAYeo

In the video Alex uses good technique to track down a shorted MLCC that is not near to the initial ‘hot spot’. You do need to analyse the result of a thermal camera test on a PCB in terms of what could logically cause the heating of a component. Is it the hot component that has failed internally, or is it a component operating under stress due to a failed component elsewhere on the PCBA.
Note how Alex was not able to use his FLIR E60 close enough to the PCBA to actually identify the tiny MLCC that had failed. The DYT CA10 would easily cope with this scenario both from an overall PCBA view through to a close-up of the MLCC capacitor cluster to identify the failed capacitor. This is where a dedicated PCBA thermal camera exceeds the capabilities of many ‘generic’ use thermal cameras that have very limited close focus capability. Alex had to resort to the old fashioned IPA evaporation technique that does work, but is unnecessary with the CA10 system 

Fraser

[Fraser]

Video review of the CA-10 system by “Voltlog” on YouTube……

https://youtu.be/Nwgz3Hyz1eY

Fraser

[tommythuyen]

I've bought a macro lens for CA10 and have to use a doublesided tape to stick it.
I wish CA10 designed with a magnet lens mount.
😆

[Fraser]

I am a little confused as to why you need a ‘Macro lens’ on your CA-10. The CA-10 has manual focus that is normally capable of providing good focus to a distance of only 10mm from the target. Did your CA-10 not provide such close focus ability ? If not, it is easy to change the focus ring setting o permit closer focus as it just involves loosening of the uses ring assembly where it grips the lens barrel, adjusting the lens barrel position a little and re-tightening the clamping screws.
A ‘Macro lens’ as supplied for the Seek Thermal camera is intended to overcome the ability of that cameras focus system to focus at less than 20cm or so. The CA-10 should not normally suffer such a limitation. It was designed for close focus, unlike the Seek Thermal dongle cameras. Be aware that the ZnSe lens used in such ‘Macro lens’ attachments actually degrades the optical performance of the system and manual focus of the cameras core is preferable, where such is adequate for close-up work. Do you notice improvement in your CA-10’s imaging performance with the ZnSe lens attached?

If you wanted to build a thermal microscope, then there is benefit in fitting an additional lens system on the front of the CA-10 lens, but that is not achieved with the single ZnSe lens element shown in your image.

Fraser

[tommythuyen]

I don't know why my CA-10's resolution is 256 x 196 not the same as specification stated by manufacturer is 260 x 200 ?

[Bill W]

See message 47 here.

" True Resolution : 256 x 192 Pixels"

The published specification is wrong.

[tommythuyen]

I have not try using it with another software. I just test it directly via website: https://webcamtests.com/ 

[Fraser]

Many thanks. I removed my previous post as it contributed nothing to this thread and could be misinterpreted as knocking DYT which is unfair. To confirm, yes the published resolution was in error and I corrected the specification in my review to assist potential purchasers of the system. The CA-10 uses a very nice quality imaging core that is 256 x 192 12um pixels with a 25fps refresh rate 

There is an SDK available from the imaging cores OEM but I have not been able to obtain it. Hence my interest in your experiences using 3rd party software with the CA-10. That said, DYT have put a lot of effort into producing a very useful image analysis package in their PC software so alternative software is not really an issue in this case, unlike with some dongle cameras that have decidedly flakey OEM software applications.

Fraser

[Dianyang]

We've release new CA Series thermal imaging analyzer camera DytSpectrumOWL 2.0 software, it is compatible with new type cameras CA-20 (260x200), CA-30 (384x288), CA-60 (640x480), it can support more new features,

• The new designed hardware with resolution of 640x480, 384x288 and 260x200 resolution, it is very suitable for PCBA R&D analysis, heating material test and heat conduction test etc.;
• Support one click to find the defect PCBA components;
• 16 color palettes, 40 points and 20 ROIs (line, rectangle and polygon) measurement at same time and without record time limitation;
• Electronical zoom for small objects measurement;
• Isotherm for fixed palette, it will fix the color vs. temperature, even there are some high or low temperature objects into the screen, the color will not be changed;
• Record and display measurement frequency up to 20Hz;
• Measurement temperature to 550°C (1022°F) (260x200 supports to 450°C (842°F) );
• The temperature data will be saved as CSV file for future analysis.
• It will support Android phone for simple view in coming soon.

Here is the url of the introduction,

https://youtu.be/xbQt13tXJUU

Hope you will like it, if you are interested with it, please contact me: adel@dianytech.com

[Fraser]

Does this software also work with the CA-10 model please ?

Fraser

[Richard1972]

Can anyone tell me if the CA10 is sold in the UK?
I recently returned a faulty Flir ETS 320, but was not able to buy a new replacement at the same heavily discounted price. I am now looking for something else and wondered if this would be a good alternative, particularly with the huge price difference between this and the flir. Also I came across these images in the thumbnails below on the Dianyang website and wondered if it’s a newer version or older version on the CA10?

[Fraser]

Those are pictures of the CA-10 prototype. The design was changed and improved and the release model is the the one That I reviewed.

I own the FLIR ETS320 but have not used it since getting the DYT CA10 system.

I am not aware of a UK agent for the CA10 yet. Mine came direct from China.

Fraser

[JM1010]

Hesitating between this model, the seek compact pro and Qianli supercam X.

Leaving the stand variable aside, it there a clear winner here (best ability to detect shorts with clarity even for small components such as 0201) or it's pretty much a wash between these models with minor +/- pros/downside that do not matter much in getting the job done.

Thanks for your opinion!

[Fraser]

CA-10 and Supercam X will be very similar in performance but with differences in the softwares capabilities. This should not be underestimated as the software performance is very important for PCB work. The CA-10 has the better software and mounting system.

The SEEK Thermal Pro is showing its age. It always had some image noise issues and, in my experience, the new imaging cores coming out of China from InfiRay outperform the SEEK Thermal cores in terms of noise and temperature accuracy. An example would be the Infiray S0 core that I have tested . That provides 25fps image update as well  The Infiray T2L is a nice dongle camera but it is designed for use with a mobile phone or other Android device. You would lose the advantage of the PCB analysis software and mount design that comes with the CA-10 system. For me, I enjoy using the CA-10. DYT are releasing higher resolution models soon but I have no dates or prices.

Fraser

[JM1010]

Thank you Fraser for the quick response. That's exactly the info I was looking for!
Infiray is interesting but Android is no go as I use an Iphone hence my interest in the Seek pro. The CA10 seems like great tool but it only runs on Windows, a minor annoyance, not a show stopper.
The seek interested me as my needs are really basic (PCB short detection ie good contrast and precision for the high temp areas) and I don't need very sophisticated software (tracking, logging, charting etc) and limiting footprint in my workspace has benefits. In the end I think the choice for me will be between the seek and the CA-10. Thanks again. Merry Christmas!

[Fraser]

You are welcome Have a Merry Christmas

Do look at the UNI-T UTi260B handheld camera as well. No dedicated PCB analysis software though and you will need to add a ZnSe close-up lens to it so not my first choice for PCB work.

Fraser

[tommythuyen]

This device CA-10 is ready to connect to any smartphone like Android & iOS. Just install Therm App and connect it to USB OTG like my video: https://youtu.be/ChsN_09VowQ
i wonder i could save some money if i bought the Infiray T2L and connected it to the DYTSpectrumOwl app on Windows ?! ^_^

[Fraser]

I believe SpectrumOwl will only work with the DYT configured core. I do not know how this is done but DYT are investing heavily in the software so it is understandable that they wish it to only work with their hardware.

Thank you for showing the CA-10 working with the XTherm Application. I had not tried this.


Fraser