# MLX90640 Thermal Camera with Image Recording ## Overview Aren't thermal imaging cameras amazing? They can reveal the heat in circuits, engines, plumbing, home insulation, firefighting, medicine, forensics, environmental science, search and rescue, energy monitoring, chemical reactions, detecting wildlife, detecting trespassers. What could you do with one? Find the cold spots in your house? Fine-tune the cooling system in your overclocked game machine? Investigate whether Rover was sitting in your recliner? Too bad the price puts these cameras out of reach... or it used to, until now. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/085/886/medium800thumb/temperature___humidity_ThermalAdabotLoop001_800.jpg?1576571797 Simulated image) The [Adafruit MLX90640 IR Thermal Camera Breakout](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4407) makes low resolution thermal imaging affordable. It can detect a 32 by 24 pixel grid of temperatures within a 55 degree field of view, or a [110 degree field of view](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4469).  With a few extra goodies from Adafruit, you can turn it into your own mini thermal recording camera. Your Feather-based thermal camera will be able to capture and store the images it senses as modified BMP files on flash media. These can be downloaded to a full-sized computer where the temperature data can be visualized and set in motion using open source tools written in the [Processing](https://processing.org) language. And don't miss the 3D printing guide, [PyBadge Thermal Camera Case](https://learn.adafruit.com/pybadge-thermal-camera-case), for a project that will enhance your camera's protection, ergonomics, and style. [Learn Guide: PyBadge Thermal Camera Case](https://learn.adafruit.com/pybadge-thermal-camera-case) ## Parts The project is based on the MLX90640 from [Melexis](https://www.melexis.com/en), a low cost sensor that uses [thermopile](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermopile) technology. ### Adafruit MLX90640 IR Thermal Camera Breakout [Adafruit MLX90640 IR Thermal Camera Breakout](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4407) You can now add affordable heat-vision to your project and with an Adafruit MLX90640 Thermal Camera Breakout. This sensor contains a 24x32 array of IR thermal sensors. When connected to your microcontroller (or Raspberry Pi) it will return an array of 768 individual infrared temperature... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4407) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4407/guides) ![Angled shot of a Adafruit MLX90640 IR Thermal Camera Breakout.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4407-05.jpg) You'll need a board with [Adafruit Arcada](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-pybadge/arcada-libraries) support + a TFT LCD screen and STEMMA connectors. ### Adafruit PyBadge for MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython, or Arduino [Adafruit PyBadge for MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython, or Arduino](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4200) What's the size of a credit card and can run CircuitPython, MakeCode Arcade or Arduino? That's right, its the **Adafruit PyBadge!** We wanted to see how much we could cram into a ​3 3⁄8 × ​2 1⁄8 inch rounded rectangle, to make an all-in-one dev board with... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4200) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4200/guides) ![Angled shot of a Adafruit PyBadge for MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython, or Arduino. ](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4200-01.jpg) ### 4-pin JST PH to JST SH Cable - STEMMA to QT / Qwiic [4-pin JST PH to JST SH Cable - STEMMA to QT / Qwiic](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4424) Are you a maker in the midst of a [**STEMMA**](https://learn.adafruit.com/introducing-adafruit-stemma-qt/what-is-stemma) dilemma? This 200mm long 4-wire cable is a fantastic chimera-cable fitted with **STEMMA QT / Sparkfun Qwiic JST SH** on one end,... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4424) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4424/guides) ![Angled shot of 4-pin JST PH to JST SH Cable. ](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4424-02.jpg) ### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery Ideal For Feathers - 3.7V 400mAh [Lithium Ion Polymer Battery Ideal For Feathers - 3.7V 400mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3898) Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of **400mAh** for a total of about 1.9 Wh. If you need a larger (or smaller!)... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3898) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3898/guides) ![Slim Lithium Ion Polymer Battery 3.7v 400mAh with JST 2-PH connector and short cable](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/3898-05.jpg) ### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B [USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides) ![USB cable - USB A to Micro-B - 3 foot long](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/592-01.jpg) - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/mlx90640-thermal-image-recording/adafruit-assemble.md) ## Featured Products ### Adafruit MLX90640 IR Thermal Camera Breakout [Adafruit MLX90640 IR Thermal Camera Breakout](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4407) You can now add affordable heat-vision to your project and with an Adafruit MLX90640 Thermal Camera Breakout. This sensor contains a 24x32 array of IR thermal sensors. When connected to your microcontroller (or Raspberry Pi) it will return an array of 768 individual infrared temperature... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4407) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4407/guides) ### Adafruit MLX90640 24x32 IR Thermal Camera Breakout [Adafruit MLX90640 24x32 IR Thermal Camera Breakout](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4469) You can now add affordable heat-vision to your project and with an Adafruit MLX90640 Thermal Camera Breakout. This sensor contains a 24x32 array of IR thermal sensors. When connected to your microcontroller (or Raspberry Pi) it will return an array of 768 individual infrared temperature... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4469) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4469/guides) ### Adafruit PyBadge for MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython, or Arduino [Adafruit PyBadge for MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython, or Arduino](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4200) What's the size of a credit card and can run CircuitPython, MakeCode Arcade or Arduino? That's right, its the **Adafruit PyBadge!** We wanted to see how much we could cram into a ​3 3⁄8 × ​2 1⁄8 inch rounded rectangle, to make an all-in-one dev board with... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4200) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4200/guides) ### Adafruit PyGamer Starter Kit [Adafruit PyGamer Starter Kit](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4277) **Please note: you may get a royal blue _or_ purple case with your starter kit (they're both lovely colors)** What fits in your pocket, is fully Open Source, and can run CircuitPython, MakeCode Arcade or Arduino games you write yourself? That's right,... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4277) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4277/guides) ### Adafruit PyGamer for MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython or Arduino [Adafruit PyGamer for MakeCode Arcade, CircuitPython or Arduino](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4242) What fits in your pocket, is fully Open Source, and can run CircuitPython, MakeCode Arcade or Arduino games you write yourself? That's right, it's the **Adafruit PyGamer!** We wanted to make an entry-level gaming handheld for DIY gaming, and maybe a little... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4242) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4242/guides) ### Adafruit EdgeBadge - TensorFlow Lite for Microcontrollers [Adafruit EdgeBadge - TensorFlow Lite for Microcontrollers](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4400) Machine learning has come to the 'edge' - small microcontrollers that can run a very miniature version of TensorFlow Lite to do ML computations.  But you don't need super complex hardware to start developing your own TensorFlow models! We've adapted our popular... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4400) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4400/guides) ### 4-pin JST PH to JST SH Cable - STEMMA to QT / Qwiic [4-pin JST PH to JST SH Cable - STEMMA to QT / Qwiic](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4424) Are you a maker in the midst of a [**STEMMA**](https://learn.adafruit.com/introducing-adafruit-stemma-qt/what-is-stemma) dilemma? This 200mm long 4-wire cable is a fantastic chimera-cable fitted with **STEMMA QT / Sparkfun Qwiic JST SH** on one end,... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4424) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4424/guides) ### Lithium Ion Polymer Battery Ideal For Feathers - 3.7V 400mAh [Lithium Ion Polymer Battery Ideal For Feathers - 3.7V 400mAh](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3898) Lithium-ion polymer (also known as 'lipo' or 'lipoly') batteries are thin, light, and powerful. The output ranges from 4.2V when completely charged to 3.7V. This battery has a capacity of **400mAh** for a total of about 1.9 Wh. If you need a larger (or smaller!)... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/3898) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/3898/guides) ## Related Guides - [Adafruit PyBadge and PyBadge LC](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-pybadge.md) - [Introducing Adafruit PyGamer](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-pygamer.md) - [Adafruit MLX90640 IR Thermal Camera](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-mlx90640-ir-thermal-camera.md) - [Next Level MakeCode Arcade Games](https://learn.adafruit.com/next-level-makecode-arcade-games.md) - [Saving CircuitPython Bitmaps and Screenshots](https://learn.adafruit.com/saving-bitmap-screenshots-in-circuitpython.md) - [Re-MakeCode the Classics: Arkanoid](https://learn.adafruit.com/re-makecode-the-classics-arkanoid.md) - [Making a Name Tag in MakeCode Arcade](https://learn.adafruit.com/making-a-name-tag-in-makecode-arcade.md) - [PyGamer Thermal Camera with AMG8833](https://learn.adafruit.com/pygamer-thermal-camera-amg8833.md) - [PyGamer NeoPixel Controller](https://learn.adafruit.com/pygamer-neopixel-controller.md) - [PyPaint Drawing Program In CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/pypaint.md) - [Wakanda Forever Game](https://learn.adafruit.com/wakanda-forever-game.md) - [Custom Color Palettes for MakeCode Arcade Games](https://learn.adafruit.com/custom-color-palettes-for-makecode-arcade-games.md) - [CircuitPython Turtle Graphics](https://learn.adafruit.com/circuitpython-turtle-graphics.md) - [Bounce - an accelerometer game in Arduino for PyGamer and PyBadge](https://learn.adafruit.com/bounce-an-accelerometer-game-in-arduino-for-pygamer-and-pybadge.md) - [PyGamer 3D Printed Snapfit Case](https://learn.adafruit.com/pygamer-snapfit-case.md) - [NES Emulator for Arcada](https://learn.adafruit.com/nes-emulator-for-arcada.md) - [PYOA for PyGamer/PyBadge - Adding Cursor Support to CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/cursor-for-circuitpython.md) - [JOY of Arcada — USB Game Pad for Adafruit PyGamer and PyBadge](https://learn.adafruit.com/joy-of-arcada-usb-game-pad-for-adafruit-pygamer-pybadge.md)