Radiography has been used in the medical field for many years to perform x-rays on broken bones and to view the internal organs of patients. Today, there is another use for the technology that has become popular. Industrial digital radiography is used in industries across the spectrum for diagnosing, analyzing, and examining things like machine parts and equipment. We have consolidated our own approach to this technology under the name “industrial CT scanning.”
At J. Garant Metrology Center, we have both 2D and 3D x-ray technology that can be used in the industrial CT scanning process. In conjunction with the latest in Computed Tomography, parts can be precisely rotated and adjusted to get the best possible look at what’s going on inside. When it comes to 2D and 3D x-rays there are two different ways they can be taken; as a pan view or cross section slice.
A pan view is one shot that will show everything inside from left to right, as if you were looking straight through the object. Cross sectional industrial digital radiography involves taking multiple shots as the part makes a full 360 degree rotation. You will only be able to see each cross section, but there will be more detail/specific locations to examine.
Industrial radiography uses energy ranging from 10kEv to 3.5MEv. It can be used to inspect parts as small as .5mm in length to parts as big as 660mm in diameter by 1 m in length.
How does it work? Photons are energized through the source, and the results are captured on a digital detector to be looked at after they pass through the object in question. Depending on the density of the object, results will be lighter or darker. X-ray images can be taken at a rate of 30 frames per second.
When it comes to industrial CT scanning, it is important to be aware that each piece or part is different and will require an individual assessment to determine exactly what the best approach to 3D scanning will be. Hopefully you will come away from this article understanding a bit more about how this interesting process works.
