Applications for microfocus X-ray tubes
Computed tomographie (CT)
Microfocus computed tomography (Microfocus CT) is a high resolution test procedure to generate two-dimensional cross sectional images of an object.
The procedure is used for quality management in all fields of industry. The cooperation of high contrast digital detectors and high resolution X-ray tubes allows very short cycle times to achieve three-dimensional test results of high grade products. At high levels of magnification it is possible to analyze details in the size of a few microns only. This requires highly stable X-ray sources with active management of process heat.
Recommended product lines: THE, THE Plus, TC, TCNF, CT, XC
Planare computed tomography (PCT)
Planar computed tomography is a special procedure of computed tomography for the high resolution X-ray inspection of large-scale flat components.
Planar computed tomography is employed for testing of assembled printed circuit boards (PCBs), semiconductor components in power electronics, or assemblies made of compound materials. It allows examination of selected two-dimensional layers to detect cracks, flaws, and delamination.
Recommended product lines: T, TC, SE
Dimentional Measurement (DM) in X-ray images
Dimensional measurement describes the metrological analysis of distances and dimensions inside a volume data set that was acquired by a microfocus CT scan or microfocus PCT scan.
Dimensional measurement is used for first article inspection and quality management in routine testing. It may partly replace coordinate measurement with touch probes or optical sensors. Measurement accuracy may be down to a tenth of the voxel size of the underlying volume data set due to the high number of virtual measuring points. In some cases an accuracy of less than one micron can be achieved.
Recommended product lines: THE, TC, TCHE Plus, TCNF Plus, CT
Highest resolution (HR) X-ray microscopy
Highest resolution X-ray microscopy allows the presentation and analysis of minute details in magnitudes of a few microns down to less than 500 nanometers.
It requires a magnification of more than 1000x and an X-ray tube with a resolution of less than 1 micron. During long exposure time s the X-ray source is stabilized by efficient cooling of tube head and turbo pump.
Recommended product lines: TC, TCHE, TCHE Plus, TCNF, TCNF Plus, XC
Two-dimensional X-ray testing
The two-dimensional X-ray testing allows for the quick and accurate evaluation of hidden details in the magnitude between 10 and 100 microns.
It is an excellent procedure for the screening of high quantities so that it provides the fundament for an efficient quality management. With a potential inspection speed of more than one part per second, two-dimensional X-ray inspection is the fastest procedure of X-ray testing with the lowest costs per unit.
Recommended product lines: T, TC, SE
Inline X-ray inspection (IN)
Inline X-ray inspection describes the integration of X-ray inspection into the production line. Test parts are automatically inspected and separated into groups of good parts and bad parts.
Permanent operations, semi- or fully-automatic loading of the test parts as well as automatic defect recognition (ADR) are essential features of an X-ray system for inline inspection. The X-ray sources in use must be operated with highest stability and accuracy to guarantee a high rate of defect detection.
Recommended product lines: THE, TC, TCHE Plus, TCNF Plus, CT
Radiographic testing (RT)
Radiographic testing is an imaging procedure of non-destructive testing to represent differences in material.
The density of a test object is mapped to an X-ray film using an X-ray source. After development of the X-ray film, differences in material and defects can be identified. Radiographic testing is applied in all areas of industry and specified by numerous codes and standards (e.g. DIN EN ISO 17636-1:2013 on radiographic testing of welds).
Recommended product lines: SE, RA, RAC, RAC Superfocus
Computed radiography (CR)
Computed radiography with imaging plates is a digital imaging procedure, similar to the classical radiographic testing.
Instead of X-ray film, a reusable phosphor imaging plate is used, that is readout by a scanner after exposure. The scanner generates a digital image of the radiographed object. Computed radiography is used in all industries and is specified in numerous standards and codes (e.g. DIN EN 14784-1:2005 and ASTM E 2445:2005 on the classification of systems for industrial computed radiography).
Recommended product lines: SE, RA, RAC, RAC Superfocus
Digital radiography (DR)
Digital radiography is the most recent imaging procedure of industrial radiography. It applies an electronic detector to capture the radiographic image.
Using digital radiography the digital image of a test object is available in real-time and can be evaluated right after the exposure. Digital detectors provide higher dynamics than X-ray film so that exposure times can be decreased. Often the magnification technique is used. Digital radiography of welds is described in the standard DIN EN ISO 17636-2:2013.
Recommended product lines: SE, RA, RAC, RAC Superfocus