OpenThermal

IRCam is an open-source thermal imaging camera designed for makers, students, and developers. It began as a simple idea: to create an affordable, customizable device that makes thermal vision technology accessible to everyone. By combining the MLX90640 thermal sensor with the ESP32-C3 platform, IRCam delivers smooth frame rates, clear thermal images, and built-in WiFi connectivity. With its compact, rechargeable design, it serves both as a practical tool and a flexible platform for learning, experimentation, and further development.

A set of components in the BOM,

One PCB board,

One set of 3D printed enclosure.

Soldering iron, hot air gun, heating platform, solder wire, solder paste, flux, and other soldering tools and consumables.

1. Solder Paste Application

Apply an appropriate amount of solder paste evenly onto the PCB pads. Avoid excessive or insufficient application to ensure reliable solder joints.

2. Component Placement

Use tweezers to accurately place all components onto their corresponding pads. Ensure correct orientation and alignment.

3. Reflow Soldering

Place the PCB on a heating plate and heat it until the solder paste melts and forms proper solder joints. Carefully control the temperature to prevent damage to components.

4. Inspection and Rework

After soldering, inspect for defects such as solder bridges, cold joints, or misalignment. If any issues are found, use a soldering iron and an appropriate amount of solder paste to perform rework.

5. Special Note (MLX90640)

When soldering the MLX90640, do not place it tightly against the PCB to avoid solder bridging.

After completing the hardware soldering, you can proceed with firmware flashing.

1. Install Development Environment

First, install Visual Studio Code (VS Code), then install the ESP-IDF Extension from the Extensions marketplace.

It is recommended to install version v1.xxx, as it typically supports one-click setup. Do not install v2.xxx, as it is prone to installation failures and can be difficult to troubleshoot.

You can find installation tutorials by searching on Google Search.

2. Open Project Folder

After installing the extension, open the project folder from my repository on GitHub link:https://github.com/xzj2004/ircam-OpenThermal.

3. Download Project Dependencies

Follow the steps shown in the reference images to download and configure the project dependencies.

After a successful download, power on the device. You will then see a Wi-Fi network named IRCAM-XXX in the Wi-Fi list on your computer or mobile phone.

Connect to this hotspot, then open a browser and visit ircam.com to access the thermal imaging interface.

Tap Start to begin. You can switch the language from the top-right corner; currently, Chinese and English are supported.

At the bottom of the page, you can switch filters and adjust related thermal imaging parameters.