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Technical Specifications |
Digiray's patented Reverse Geometry X-ray (RGX®) machine is fully digitally controlled for unprecedented versatility in acquiring images. The systems acts like an x-ray TV camera, creating an image by rastering an x-ray beam on the face of the x-ray tube, with the x-rays received by one (or many) small detectors. But unlike a TV camera, the Digiray® system gives the operator complete control over the image area, image resolution, pixel precision and contrast, scan speed, plus many other abilities.
OVERALL FIELD OF VIEW: 10 INCHES OR 3 INCHES
The x-ray tube comes in two basic sizes, 10” diameter and 3” diameter. The full
area is available as the x-ray image’s “field of view”, allowing the
imaging of large and small objects.
AREA MAGNIFICATION: TIMES 1 TO TIMES 100
The computer controls the x-ray raster in both size and position within the available tube
area. This means the Digiray system can image both large areas and micro-focused regions
without any mechanical motion, merely by turning a knob or by pre-programming the
computer. And since the scan area is controlled independently from the acquisition
resolution, there is no sacrifice in image resolution.
CONTRAST RESOLUTION: 0.3% FOR PLASTICS, COMPOSITES and ALUMINUM
The Digiray system can distinguish fine density differences. This is because of the
system’s greatly reduced sensitivity to scattered x-rays. This is a benefit for
viewing light weight structures like composites, for identifying water entrapment in
honeycomb, and for resolving adhesive bonds and discontinuities in computer chips.
CONTRAST CONTROL: SIGNAL GAIN TIMES 1 TO TIMES 1000
The gain and contrast of the image data is adjusted (via a digitally controlled amplifier)
by the user or automatically by the computer (with a single button press). The image data
stream’s wide dynamic range can be optimized for the particular feature’s
density range without adjusting the voltage or current, and can handle both very thick
regions and almost transparent ones.
SPATIAL RESOLUTION: 10 LINE PAIRS/MM FOR 3” FOV (2048 LINES) 10
LINE PAIRS/MM FOR 1.5” FOV (1024 LINES), 4.5 LINE PAIRS/MM FOR 10” FOV (2048
LINES)
The desired spatial resolution can be selected by simply choosing the appropriate FOV zoom
size and the acquisition resolution. The full image may be sampled at one zoom and
resolution, and then specific critical areas may be sampled at a higher zoom and/or
resolution to optimize acquire time. And as long as the sample area is within the
tube’s overall field of view, all adjustments are done electronically with no
mechanical motion.
IMAGE RESOLUTION: 256, 512, 1024, OR 2048 LINES 25 PIX/IN (10” AT 256) TO 2,000 PIX/IN (1” AT 2048) Four basic image resolutions are provided: 256, 512, 1024, and 2048. This is the number of image lines and digitized samples (pixels) per line. This is over the zoom area selected by the user (or by the computer).
SPEED: ¼ SECONDS (512), 1 SECOND (1024), 4 SECONDS (2048)
The user can select the resolution and acquire speed that best suits the needs of the
application. Slower scan rates can be selected to increase signal statistics or to
synchronize with a moving sample.
DETECTOR SIZE: 0.5" - 1.125” DIAMETER, 2" - 4” IN
LENGTH, OR 0.125” DIAMETER (WITH A LIGHT PIPE EXTENDER)
The individual detector is quite small, and can be made smaller by using a flexible light
pipe extender. This allows many detectors to be placed in a small area for stereo or
laminography. The flexible light pipe has the additional special ability of being able to
be inserted inside an obstructed object, allowing an x-ray of a region that is otherwise
inaccessible. This is impossible with a conventional system that has a large x-ray tube
and a large film case or detector array.
OFF-AXIS DETECTOR ALIGNMENT: ± 45 º
The wide allowable detector alignment range allows for great flexibility in detector
placement. This makes setting up the sample and detector simple. This is especially useful
for when the detector is not visible (for example within a fuselage panel).
VOLTAGE RANGE: 50-150 KV (SELECTABLE - exact range depends on model)
OPERATING CURRENT: 0 TO 0.5 MA (SELECTABLE)
FOCAL SPOT SIZE: LESS THAN 25 MICRONS
DETECTOR TYPE: >99% EFFICIENT SODIUM IODIDE SCINTILLATOR
PENETRAMETER RESOLUTION: better than 2-2T FOR ALUMINUM AND PLASTICS
POWER: 120 VOLTS, 60 HZ, 20 AMPS
BASIC SYSTEM - SOFTWARE: Digiray images are fully digital, allowing the user the full power of digital image enhancement, manipulation, storage, and exporting. Basic and extended image enhancements are provided with the standard RGX® system software. Digiray image processing can be used to do all the image analysis and presentation, or in conjunction with 3rd party image processing tools.
Acquire Auto-Sequencing: The acquisition process can be automated with the RGX® Auto-Sequencing feature. This allows the complete computer control of acquire methods, scanning patterns, rotation stages, detector channels, and file I/O. This is particularly useful for unattended CAT scan acquisition, laminography runs, and acquire patterns of, for example, PC boards where the entire board is imaged followed by close-up imaging of each chip. The commands can be saved and retrieved from the disk.
Contrast Manipulation plus Pseudocolor: The gray scale of the image can be easily manipulated to bring out details in great contrast. Special filters can be applied, like (1) contrast and gain, (2) inversion, (3) log or exponential curves, (4) notch and pass filters, (5) color tables, and (6) other custom mappings, all with the speed and simplicity of moving the trackball. The results can be temporary, saved to a gray/color file, or made a permanent part of the image. Details can be easily found and highlighted without the need to re-acquire the image. Added color is especially useful for revealing density changes and contours, allowing for quick comparison across the entire image area. The basic software works with 8-bit image data. A 12-bit option provides finer image detail and increases the ability in extracting hard-to-see features.
Edge Sharpening and Smoothing: Edges can be sharpened or smoothed using a basic convolution filter. Many different enhancement strengths and orientations are provided, as well as the ability to customize and experiment with new convolution values.
Field Flattening: If the desired features are on top of a slowly changing background (like a pipe or a wedge of material) this background can be removed or “flattened out” to reveal the features across the full image at the same contrast. Different strengths and qualifiers as well as the locality can be adjusted for the optimum results.
Histogram Enhancement: The images can be analyzed for their pixel value dispersal. This information can be used to contrast match images taken at different times or circumstances, perform a histogram equalization algorithm to bring out details, or to do studies on material densities.
Other Available Enhancements: Many of the basic image enhancement tools are provided, for example (1) image subtraction, (2) Aspect ratio compensation, (3) rotation, and (4) image re-sizing.
Draw Tools: The basic draw tools are provided to make presentation images and slides of the acquired images. This includes (1) drawing lines, circles, and boxes, (2) filling in and out of circles and boxes, (3) text with multiple fonts and sizes, and (4) various arrows and marks to identify features. Measurements: Feature lengths and areas can be measured and indicated in the image. The user can calibrate scales.
Graphing: Many graphing options are provided to visualize the images data. One type of graph is the pixel intensity profile graph, where the user moves a cross hair across the image and the image pixel values are simultaneously graphed along both vertical and the horizontal cross axes. This can show very quickly the density variations across the object. A second graph is the 3-D density graph, where the density volume is created to show large features. This graph is often colored to show feature differences (like between solder joints on a PC board) or the depth of an area of corrosion.
Slide Shows: Collections of image files can be gathered, previewed as thumb-nail sized images, and shown sequentially in the form of an interactive or free standing slide show. This is ideal for presentations and demonstrations of the acquired images and results. It can also be used to dramatically present laminography or CAT scan imaging series.
Teach and Learn: Repeated key stroke patterns can be memorized and played back as macros to automate and simplify repeated operations.
On-line Help: The online manual is available with a touch of a button. In a context sensitive manner, information about the current activity is available, as well as the full index and table of contents.
RGX® Specifications are subject to change.