Why are we excited about becoming the New Zealand distributor for this tool? Simple. Because it can see sound.
For anyone who has spent years tracking down faults with a screwdriver, stethoscope, fuel hose, or a fair bit of guesswork, the FOTRIC TD2e Acoustic Imaging Camera is a seriously handy step forward.
Over the years, we have used the old-school methods to find faulty bearings, noisy water pumps, air leaks, boost leaks, and plenty of hard-to-pinpoint workshop problems. They work, but they can take time. The TD2e gives technicians a faster, clearer way to locate the source of sound and ultrasonic noise by displaying it visually on screen.
I have had the demo tool around home for a while now, pointing it at just about anything that might make a noise. After a few tests in the shed, it confirmed the exact location of a leak in a woodsplitter tyre, the leak point on a compressor hose fitting, and the boost pressure leak on the A3.
That is enough to get our attention.
A faster way to find leaks, noise, and early faults
When you think back to some of the awkward diagnostic jobs that come through a workshop, this is where the FOTRIC TD2e acoustic imaging camera starts to make sense.
It would have been useful on a hard-to-find air conditioning system leak. It would also have helped confirm a questionable brake tester bearing that was replaced “just in case”. Instead of relying only on what you can hear, the TD2e gives you visual confirmation of where the sound is coming from.
For classic car restoration, panel work, and body sealing checks, it could also be paired with an audio signal generator placed inside the vehicle. Walk around the outside with the TD2e and you can look for signs of seal leakage. That sort of test could be useful for vehicles coming out of a panel shop after body work.
What is acoustic imaging?
Acoustic imaging is a way of turning sound into a visual image.
The human ear can typically perceive sound between around 20Hz and 20kHz. However, many hidden faults, including gas leaks, bearing wear, and electrical discharge, can emit higher-frequency ultrasonic sound that cannot be heard by the human ear.
The FOTRIC TD2e helps technicians visualise these sound sources on screen, with a positioning frequency range of 2kHz to 100kHz.
How the FOTRIC TD2e works
The TD2e presents sound on screen as an image, helping technicians locate the source of noise, leaks, and vibration more accurately.
It does this using:
64 MEMS digital microphone array
The TD2e captures sound signals through a 64-channel MEMS digital microphone array, helping improve spatial accuracy and source location.
Beamforming algorithm
The beamforming algorithm focuses on sound coming from specific directions while helping filter out surrounding environmental noise.
Acoustic image overlay
The sound source is displayed as a visual heatmap over the image, making it easier to see where the issue is located.
Low-latency rendering
The TD2e provides a near-instant response, making it suitable for continuous inspection work in busy workshop environments.
Beyond what’s audible: what can the FOTRIC TD2e detect?
The FOTRIC TD2e Acoustic Imaging Camera Kit can detect sound sources that are difficult to hear, hard to access, or easy to miss in a busy workshop or engineering environment.
Using acoustic imaging, it helps technicians visually locate the source of leaks, vibration, abnormal noise, and ultrasonic faults.
Common applications include:
Compressed air system leaks
Vacuum system leaks
Loose joint vibration during operation
Pneumatic valve leakage
Air conditioning system leaks
Tyre air leaks
Bearing noise and early wear
Dash rattles and cabin seal leaks
Boost pressure leaks
Other hard-to-find workshop noises
Compressed air leak detection
Compressed air leaks can be costly and time-consuming to locate. As gas leaks emit high-frequency turbulence noise, the TD2e Kit can quickly detect even small leaks in compressed air lines, fittings, and pipelines.
Instead of relying on sound alone, technicians can visually locate the leak point and take action faster.
Vacuum system leak detection
Vacuum leaks can be subtle and difficult to hear, especially in noisy workshop environments. The TD2e Kit captures subtle leak sounds that human ears may not detect, helping technicians locate the issue without contact, damage, or unnecessary disassembly.
Tyre air leak detection
Tyre leaks can be slow, subtle, and time-consuming to locate. The TD2e Kit can quickly visualise and locate tyre leak points without needing soap spray, helping technicians find the source of the leak faster and with more confidence.
Loose joint vibration during operation
Loose screws, joints, or fittings can create abnormal high-frequency sounds while equipment is operating. The TD2e Kit can detect and visualise these sounds in real time, helping pinpoint the issue without necessarily needing to shut the equipment down first.
Pneumatic valve leakage detection
As pneumatic valves, cylinders, and fittings age, they can generate high-frequency leakage noise. The TD2e Kit captures real-time ultrasonic leakage signals from valve bodies and fittings, providing visual localisation to help identify leak sources quickly.
Automotive workshop applications
For automotive workshops, the TD2e also has practical use across a wide range of diagnostic jobs, including:
Air conditioning leaks
Tyre air leaks
Bearing noise
Boost pressure leaks
Dash rattles
Cabin seal integrity testing
Hard-to-find air, vacuum, and pressure leaks
For vehicle body work, restoration, and seal integrity testing, the TD2e can be paired with an audio signal generator placed inside the vehicle. The camera can then be used outside the vehicle to identify areas where sound is escaping through seals, gaps, or problem areas.
This could be useful for panel shops, restoration work, and vehicle quality checks after body repairs.
Key features of the FOTRIC TD2e Acoustic Imaging Camera Kit
64 MEMS digital microphones
The high-density microphone array helps the TD2e accurately capture and locate sound sources, giving technicians a clearer view of where the issue is coming from.
2kHz to 100kHz positioning frequency range
The TD2e can detect sound sources across a wide positioning frequency range, helping technicians locate faults that may sit beyond normal human hearing.
0.3m to 60m working distance
The camera can be used across a practical 0.3m to 60m working range, from close-up inspections through to larger workshop, field, or plant environments.
5MP industrial-grade digital camera
The TD2e combines acoustic detection with a 5MP camera, displaying the sound source over the live image for clearer fault location.
58° × 45° field of view
The wide acoustic image field of view helps users inspect a useful area while still identifying specific sound sources.
Multiple image modes
The TD2e supports single-source, multi-source, and all-source image modes, helping users adapt the camera to different inspection situations and noise environments.
Noise suppression mode
Noise suppression mode helps reduce environmental interference so the true sound source can be located more clearly.
Micro-detection mode
Micro-detection mode is designed to capture faint sounds, helping reduce the risk of missing subtle faults.
Sound pressure level measurement
By combining acoustic images with dB-level data output, the TD2e makes inspections more intuitive. Technicians can see the sound source and assess sound pressure levels, helping improve confidence during diagnosis.
Built for workshop and field use
The TD2e is rated IP54 and designed for practical workshop and field inspection work. Each battery provides more than three hours of operating time.
What comes in the FOTRIC TD2e kit?
The FOTRIC TD2e Acoustic Imaging Camera Kit available from AECS includes:
FOTRIC TD2e Acoustic Imaging Camera
Two rechargeable lithium batteries
Charging dock
Power adapter
USB Type-C cable
32GB TF card
Tool holster
Quick start guide
Industrial-grade hard carrying case
18-month extended warranty
The battery is also interchangeable with the TK6 Thermal Imaging Camera.
A practical diagnostic tool for modern workshops
The FOTRIC TD2e is not just a clever gadget. It is a practical diagnostic tool for workshops that want to save time, reduce guesswork, and confirm faults with visual evidence.
For automotive workshops, engineering workshops, panel shops, and diagnostic specialists, it offers a faster way to locate leaks, noise, vibration, and ultrasonic faults that may otherwise be difficult to find.
Whether you are chasing compressed air leaks, AC leaks, bearing noise, tyre leaks, dash rattles, boost leaks, or cabin seal issues, the TD2e gives you another way to get to the source of the problem.
View the FOTRIC TD2e Acoustic Imaging Camera Kit
Want to see how the TD2e could help your workshop save time and reduce diagnostic guesswork?
View the FOTRIC TD2e Acoustic Imaging Camera Kit on the AECS website, or contact the team to arrange a demo.
