From sample to 3D data set in 15 minutes...
Typical reconstruction times for a 1000x1000x1000 volume are 5 - 15 minutes depending on on the speed of the computer. This is a similar time to the time taken to acquire low noise images from all angles.
X-Tek can provide a range of X-ray sources from 160kV microfocal sources with a focal spot size down to one micron, up to 450kV microfocus sources with a focal spot size of around 30 microns, as well as minifocus sources up to 450kV and 8MeV betatrons which have much more penetrating power.
X-Tek's detectors use both low cost CCD cameras through to the highest resolution, multi-mega pixel digital cameras. For real-time applications these cameras are either mounted on an X-ray image intensifier or view a flat fluorescent screen. Amorphous silicon flat panel detectors offer a higher dynamic range as well as higher resolution. Whatever source you choose, the detector will be optimised to show the energy range you are interested in. Specially selected imaging devices allow the collection of soft X-rays thus enabling low absorption materials to be imaged successfully.
Source, detector and high precision sample manipulator are all encased in a lead-lined cabinet which meets international radiation safety regulations and can therefore be operated by non-classified personnel in an ordinary office or laboratory environment. They are all under computer control, as is the image acquisition and subsequent processing. A second PC is offered as an option to allow image acquisition and CT reconstruction to be done simultaneously.
CT is a non-destructive X-ray inspection technique that produces high-resolution 3D maps of samples. After reconstruction the sample can be viewed from any 3D angle, sliced in any direction, accurately measured and even animated in a virtual workspace. This enables detailed analysis of the internal structure of a wide range of components.
The sample is X-rayed from a range of angles over 360 degrees. The X-Tek CT reconstruction engine then uses these X-ray images to calculate the density at all points within the volume to create a 3D model of the component.
The CT extension to X-Tek's real time inspection systems enables complex 3D analysis of the structure of components. You could:
| Applications | Examples |
| Advanced materials research | Analysis of ceramic and metal foam structures |
| Verification of complex structure after manufacture | Electronic package development and failure analysis |
| Dimensional measurement of internal components | Measuring internal wall thicknesses and hole diameters |
| Fault detection (esp. cracks), location and sizing | Porosity and crack detection in castings / ceramics |
| Analysis of the action of complex mechanisms | Studying the action of complex switches |
| Measurement of the distribution of one material in another | Measurement of impurities/inclusions in composite materials |
| Analysis of the structure of biological materials | Studying the internal structure of teeth, bones, insects |
The perfect system for smaller, low and medium density samples. Fitted with high contrast x-ray image intensifier, 100KV 5 micron open type x-ray source and a rugged 1kg precision 4-axis sample manipulator. The Benchtop can comfortably scan samples up to 100mm cube in a real time radiography mode without compromising its 50mm diameter CT capability. With a voxel size in the reconstructed images of down to 5 microns the system identifies cracks, porosity and misalignment in metal, plastic, ceramic and organic samples up to the limit of the 100KV source. The CT workstation can acquire and reconstruct simultaneously so that samples can be interrogated in 3D within a few minutes at low resolution and after around 20 minutes at full resolution. The system can be used manually or easily programmed through the advanced user interface, common to all X-Tek systems, to acquire and compute and archive data repetitively. The Benchtop CT is a versatile dual function system which gives fast high resolution results from a small footprint cabinet.
A mid-sized radiation cabinet with numerous options to configure the system for almost any application. The standard version has an X-Tek 160kV Ultrafocus source enough to penetrate 20mm of steel, with the 225kV option the penetration increases to cover most samples up to the 10kg weight limit of the solid yet precise 5-axis CT manipulator. The standard 150mm image intensifier can be replaced with units of up to 210mm or, for even greater sample coverage, amorphous silicon panels up to 250mm. X-ray detectors with resolution from 10 to 16 bits and from 512x512 to 3.1 megapixels can be chosen to suit the speed and resolution of the application. The HMX is also a no compromise real-time inspection system having both fully programmable and manual operation. In manual mode all 5 axes of the sample manipulator are controlled by precision hall effect joy sticks with proportional speed, the X-ray parameters and image capture / analysis functions have an intuitive software control. For CT or repetitive operation the system can be programmed through the fully integrated user interface or off-line using standard VBA scripts.
Developed together with several technology partners the HMXST CT takes advantage of the latest technology available world-wide to provide unbeatable micro tomography results from a system that is also a research and production inspection tool. The X-ray source options include unique interchangeable sub-micron transmission and high power microfocus up to 225kV. X-ray target materials can be selected by the operator to optimise the X-ray spectrum for different samples, similarly X-ray detectors ranging from digital CCD Intensifier combinations to the latest flat panels can be fitted to suit energy, resolution and speed. The 5-axis CT and radiography sample manipulator has a huge 450 x 460mm travel, enough to scan large castings, circuit boards and electro-mechanical assemblies for real time inspection. At the same time the turntable design incorporates the highest quality bearings and drives, to provide micron level accuracy in a CT scan.
Engineered to withstand years of hard use in tough application areas such as aerospace, automotive and ordnance, the Venlo or "BladeRunner" can cope with samples in excess of 50kg and 600mm diameter. With microfocus X-ray sources from 160 up to 450KV and conventional sources up to 450KV, CT and inspection programs can be undertaken on gearbox castings, turbine blades, rocket motors and engine cylinder blocks with ease. The Venlo can accept the largest detector devices available including large format image intensifiers, amorphous silicon panels, X-Tek large area XV detectors and linear diode arrays up to the limits of the cabinet and manipulator envelope. The fully programmable control system has both cone beam CT and fan beam CT algorithms integrated so that either full 3D for in depth analysis or fast single 2D slices for production inspection can be accomplished.