Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
When the waiting list to borrow a thermal imaging camera became longer than expected, Katie Dumont decided to build her own instead. Using a Seeed Studio MLX90640 thermal sensor, an Arduino UNO R4 Minima and a colour touchscreen, she created a handheld thermal camera capable of revealing heat loss, spotting hot components and visualising temperature differences in real time. Along the way she tested the sensor against ice cubes and boiling water, designed and 3D printed a custom enclosure, and opted for physical buttons over touchscreen controls to make the finished unit tougher and more practical as a workshop tool. With adjustable temperature ranges, colour mapping and plenty of scope for future upgrades, it's a great example of how readily available maker hardware can be turned into a genuinely useful piece of test equipment, and you can find the supporting ECAD and Code on the element14 Community: bit.ly/3SZiuoQ
#thermalimaging #arduino #makerproject #arduinoproject
00:00-Intro
02:48-Testing The Sensor
06:45-Hardware and Code
08:05-Enclosure Design
11:10-Programming
13:12-First Test!
16:23-Wrap Up
============================================================================
Engage with the element14 presents team on the element14 Community - suggest builds, find project files and behind the scenes video: bit.ly/3tmdewv
Visit the element14 Community for more great activities and free hardware:
Tech spotlights: bit.ly/3qPrDhM
RoadTest and Reviews: bit.ly/3pV5Bux
Project14: bit.ly/31wbnJY
When the waiting list to borrow a thermal imaging camera became longer than expected, Katie Dumont decided to build her own instead. Using a Seeed Studio MLX90640 thermal sensor, an Arduino UNO R4 Minima and a colour touchscreen, she created a handheld thermal camera capable of revealing heat loss, spotting hot components and visualising temperature differences in real time. Along the way she tested the sensor against ice cubes and boiling water, designed and 3D printed a custom enclosure, and opted for physical buttons over touchscreen controls to make the finished unit tougher and more practical as a workshop tool. With adjustable temperature ranges, colour mapping and plenty of scope for future upgrades, it's a great example of how readily available maker hardware can be turned into a genuinely useful piece of test equipment, and you can find the supporting ECAD and Code on the element14 Community: bit.ly/3SZiuoQ
#thermalimaging #arduino #makerproject #arduinoproject
00:00-Intro
02:48-Testing The Sensor
06:45-Hardware and Code
08:05-Enclosure Design
11:10-Programming
13:12-First Test!
16:23-Wrap Up
============================================================================
Engage with the element14 presents team on the element14 Community - suggest builds, find project files and behind the scenes video: bit.ly/3tmdewv
Visit the element14 Community for more great activities and free hardware:
Tech spotlights: bit.ly/3qPrDhM
RoadTest and Reviews: bit.ly/3pV5Bux
Project14: bit.ly/31wbnJY
