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The article presents the discussion on Xnovo Technology ApS, a pioneer in advanced X-ray imaging solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Sweden-based Exciscope AB. Topics include collaboration aims to introduce what is said to be the world's first laboratory-based X-ray tensor tomography technique; and assessing their mechanical performance and for empowering the predictive design of materials.

The article focuses on the 13 International Conference on Industrial Computed Tomography (iCT2024) taking place in Austria, which will cover the latest developments in industrial computed tomography, particularly its applications in non-destructive testing.

The article focuses on Nikon Corporation's introduction of the Tilted CT technique, a pioneering X-ray computed laminography (CL) method that improves voxel resolution for inspecting challenging components, particularly flat, high aspect ratio ones.

The article focuses on the use of 3-Dimensional X-ray scanning and computed tomography (CT) with Artificial Intelligence-powered software for automatic inspection and analysis of anode overhang in lithium-ion battery cells. Topics include the importance of precise and consistent analysis for battery production, the advantages of 3D X-ray CT over traditional 2-Dimensional radiography inspection, and the combination of Nikon's technologies for efficient and reliable inspection.

In order to reduce the security risk of commercial aircraft, passengers are not allowed to take certain items in their carry-on baggage. For this reason, human operators are trained to detect prohibited items using a manually-controlled baggage screening process. In this paper, the use of an automated method based on multiple X-ray views is proposed to recognise certain regular objects with highly-defined shapes and sizes. The method consists of two steps: 'monocular analysis', to obtain possible detections in each view of a sequence, and 'multiple view analysis', to recognise the objects of interest using matching in all views. The search for matching candidates is efficiently performed using a look-up table that is computed offline. In order to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, experimental results on recognising regular objects (clips, springs and razor blades) in pencil cases are shown achieving high precision and recall (Pr = 95.7%, Re = 92.5%) for 120 objects. We believe that it would be possible to design an automated aid in a target detection task using the proposed algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiography is often the method of choice for detecting defects and damage in industrial objects. To optimise the operator's image perception and interpretation, and to improve the detection limit of the technique, the signal-to-noise ratio needs to be minimised. The development of effective image noise removal (denoising) algorithms, with highfrequency spatial signal retention (fine detail features), is an important research area in industrial radiographic testing (RT). In this study, the total variation denoising (TVD) method was used to improve RT defect detection capabilities. The method relies on generating a regularised smoothed image, which is then subtracted from the original image to reconstruct the denoised image. The algorithm was successfully applied to weld RT images. Improved defect detection was achieved whilst preserving the object's edge and fine detail imaging information. For the imaged samples in this study, true positive detection rates of between 88% and 100% were found in the samples for the different defects in TVD-reconstructed images, compared with between 84% and 100% in the original. The results show that the TVDreconstructed images have better contrast and the shapes of the defects are very clear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers brief information on several non-destructive testing equipment and supplies including the XPERT 80 digital cabinet X-ray system from Kubtec, the SB-100P Series UV-A lamp from Spectronics Corp., and the thermoIMAGER TIM 640 thermal imaging camera from Micro-Epsilon UK Ltd.

The use of non-invasive and non-destructive methods is highly relevant for cultural heritage objects in particular, due to their uniqueness and the often high cost of material as well as immaterial value. It is, however, of great importance to gain a simple overview of their material distribution, the manufacturing techniques, the provenance and the current condition (for example the determination of possible damage) by transmission imaging techniques. While X-ray imaging is often sufficient for such investigations, there are numerous cases where the method reaches its limits. Here, the complementarities of neutrons applied in a similar manner can provide new insights into the object studied. The better transmission for metals and the higher contrast for organic materials can already be exploited in the simple neutron radiography mode. More advanced are the neutron tomography methods, which are available at the neutron imaging facilities of the Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI) on a wide dimensional scale range. Virtual slices through the objects at arbitrary positions enable deeper perceptions and also dimensional determinations in full 3D. Further methodical improvements have been developed. Narrowing the neutron energy band allows information on the microcrystalline structure to be obtained directly, and using phase-contrast and dark-field techniques by means of a grating interferometer device enables a deeper understanding of the material compositions and structures. The examples in this paper are chosen to demonstrate the application range of neutron imaging and the performance of the different set-ups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray testing has been developed for the inspection of materials or objects, where the aim is to analyse - non-destructively - those inner parts that are undetectable to the naked eye. Thus, X-ray testing is used to determine whether a test object deviates from a given set of specifications. Typical applications are the inspection of automotive parts, quality control of welds, screening of baggage, analysis of food products and inspection of cargo. In order to achieve efficient and effective X-ray testing, automated and semi-automated systems based on computer vision algorithms are being developed to execute this task. In this paper, we present a general overview of the computer vision approaches that have been used in X-ray testing. In addition, we review some techniques that have been applied in certain relevant applications and introduce a public database of X-ray images that can be used for testing and evaluation of image analysis and computer vision algorithms. Finally, we conclude that there are some areas, such as casting inspection, where automated systems are very effective and other application areas, such as baggage screening, where human inspection is still used. There are certain application areas, such as weld and cargo inspection, where the process is semi-automatic and there is some research in areas, including food analysis, where processes are beginning to be characterised by the use of X-ray imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beam hardening is one of the major artefacts, which arises due to the polychromatic nature of the X-ray source, that reduces the quality of the reconstructed image in X-ray computed tomography. This paper describes the simulation of a tomogram with beam hardening and its correction using linearisation and pre-filtering methods. The simulation studies show that 70% of the maximum energy is required for full object penetration and to obtain minimum beam hardening. Also, the pre-filtering offers better beam hardening correction due to the removal of low-energy photons. The simulation results are found to be in good agreement with the experimental results. After beam hardening correction, 3D visualisation and dimensional analysis of a stator motor core specimen has been demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In various applications of circular cone-beam computed tomography (CT), it is common that the reconstructed object is big and cannot be covered by the field of view (FOV) due to the restriction of the width of the X-ray beam and the size of the detector. Thus, we consider a scanning configuration in which the X-ray beams only cover half of the object and the cone-beam projection data are acquired from an asymmetrically positioned half-sized detector. The acquired cone-beam projection data are truncated at every view angle, which does not satisfy the conventional reconstruction condition that the projection data cannot be transversely truncated. If an explicit data rebinning process is not invoked, this data acquisition configuration will play havoc with many known cone-beam image reconstruction algorithms. In this paper, we apply a recently-developed back projection filtration (BPF) algorithm in circular cone-beam CT and an observation that a correct back projection image can be formed by combining the projection data from different view angles, and then develop an algorithm to reconstruct 3D images for the half-covered scanning configuration. Numerical simulations and real data reconstruction experiments are conducted to validate the proposed reconstruction algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iterative image reconstruction algorithms have many advantages over analytical image reconstruction algorithms in computed tomography. A widely applied iterative algorithm is OSEM (ordered subsets expectation maximisation), which has good reconstructed image quality and costs less in computation time. Compared with the conventional OSEM algorithm, another OS method RAMLA (row action maximum likelihood algorithm) can not only bring about significant acceleration in the iterative reconstruction, but also outperforms the OSEM in its convergence rate. In this paper, an accelerated RAMLA algorithm (ARAMLA) is proposed and applied to X-ray cone-beam CT image reconstruction. By increasing the step size of the correction factor, the ARAMLA algorithm can further speed up the RAMLA algorithm while still retaining its convergence properties. A graphics processing unit (GPU)-based implementation of the ARAMLA is also developed for greatly reducing the computation time per iteration. Experimental results show that to achieve the same image quality as in RAMLA, ARAMLA, with an accelerating factor of 2, requires only about half the number of iterations as RAMLA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers news briefs related to research and development for Great Britain as of 2012. It presents information that QinetiQ Ltd. and Great Britain's Ministry of Defence (MOD) have offered research funding contract for a period 2013-2015 in order to maintain the Great Britain's expertise in defence advanced materials. A high-power pulsed X-ray imaging system has been installed in University College London (UCL) in England. Periodical related information is also presented.

Radiographic inspection is one of the most important non-destructive inspection methods for aircraft wing spar inspection. Traditionally, radiographic inspection is time and manpower consuming. In addition, human inspection of cracks and damage based on film radiography is very subjective, inconsistent and sometimes biased. To improve the speed and efficiency of radiographic inspection, digital X-ray systems are gaining popularity over traditional film-based X-ray. Digital radiography has emerged as a leading technology for aircraft inspection. Therefore, it is desirable to develop a computer-aided system to assist in the interpretation of digital radiographic images to increase the objectivity, accuracy and efficiency of radiographic interpretation. In this paper, a crack detection algorithm using region of interest (ROI) minimisation, thresholding and edge detection techniques is developed for radiographic inspection of an aircraft wing spar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many computed tomography (CT) applications such as industrial non-destructive evaluation, obtaining high-quality CT image reconstruction is always a necessary requirement. In recent years, helical cone-beam CT is widely used because of its faster scanning speed, efficient utilisation of X-ray dose and a favourable manner to scan objects such as humans and pipelines. Exterior CT is prevalent in industrial non-destructive testing of objects such as pipelines because the object is so large that X-rays cannot cover even half of the whole cross-section, and it is of special interest to detect cracks, defects or corrosion in the outer shells of the pipes. The problem is highly ill-posed in that it is barely possible to obtain high-quality image reconstruction from real (noisy) projection data by traditional algorithms. However, over the years, the industrial, medical and some other areas have made high demands on 3D CT technology and the subsequent data evaluation software. So, in this paper, based on 3D total variation minimisation (TVM), projection onto convex sets (POCS) and the 3D Chan-Vese (C-V) active contour model, an iterative reconstruction algorithm for high-quality volume image reconstruction from exterior helical cone-beam scan data is presented. The results of numerical simulation demonstrate that the presented algorithm can obtain high-quality image reconstruction and is robust to noise, which is useful for industrial applications such as NDE of pipelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a fast and adaptive method for weld extraction. Firstly, a fast algorithm was developed to recognise and alarm welds with large surface defects such as burn-through. Then, the upper and lower boundary ranges of the weld in the middle column of the image were estimated based on least-square quadratic curve fitting and a deviation threshold. The weld boundary ranges in the other columns were estimated by the weld edges of the adjacent detected column. Finally, the first-order and second-order differences of the intensity profiles in the estimated boundary range were analysed to judge whether there was a defect near or on the weld edge, and different approaches based on second-order differences analysis were subsequently proposed to extract the weld. Results show that the proposed method is effective to detect and extract different types of weld, with or without defects, in a real-time X-ray weld image. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on machinery testing of high dose rate (HDR) source assembly for brachytherapy through a non-destructive process, three-dimensional (3D) X-ray micro-tomography. It states that the study aims to standardise the welding parameters for the development of the HRD source assembly. It also proves the effectiveness of 3D X-ray micro-tomography for detecting micro-welds defects in HDR source assemblies.

Recently, X-rays have been adopted as the principal non-destructive testing method to identify flaws within an object that are undetectable to the naked eye. Automatic inspection using radiographic images has been made possible by incorporating image processing techniques into the process. In a previous work, we proposed a framework to detect flaws in aluminium castings using multiple views. The process consisted of flaw segmentation, matching and finally tracking the flaws along the image sequence. While the previous approach required effective segmentation and matching algorithms, this investigation focuses on a new detection approach. The proposed method combines, simultaneously, information gathered from multiple views of the scene; this does not require searching for correspondences or matching. By gathering all the projections from a 3D point, obtained from a sliding box in the 3D space, we train a classifier to learn to detect simulated flaws using all the evidence available. This paper describes our proposed method and presents its performance record in flaw detections using various classifiers. Our approach yields promising results: 94% of true positives detected with 95% sensitivity in real flaws. We conclude that simultaneously combining information from different points of view is a robust approach to flaw identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-radiography using the bremsstrahlung of a commercial broad spectrum X-ray source was used to quantify the differences and relationships between complex samples of unknown composition. The samples examined were painted and glazed ceramic mugs. The resulting pseudo-signatures were grey-level transmission spectra which can be usefully compared over a range of acceleration potential settings from 40 to 95 kV, taken at 1 kV intervals. These data are extracted from stacks of registered field-flattened X-ray images. It is shown that it is possible to differentiate between transmission spectra of the samples by concentrating mainly on the paint layers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digital X-ray radiography is becoming more and more popular due to its advantages over conventional film radiography. The selection of the values for the parameters of radiographic techniques, such as kV, mA and exposure time, is very important for image quality. The generation of film radiographic inspection techniques is normally completed by experienced non-destructive testing personnel. With the emergence of digital radiographic detector arrays, there is a need for an X-ray technique generator that can generate optimum techniques and predict the response with these detector arrays. Also, as X-ray images include the thickness information of the material being inspected, it is possible with a technique generator to measure material thickness using digital X-ray radiography. The objective of this paper is to describe software that has been developed to generate radiographic techniques and to measure material thickness. The main capabilities of the software are: The theory that enables the above mentioned functions to be realised will be described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few techniques are available to assess air inclusions in opaque plastic materials. This study showed a remarkable contrast gain for small air voids by synchrotron radiation imaging with refraction mode: comparing an absorption image, a 60-fold gain in contrast was observed for a 66 μm void. Minimally, a 24 μm inclusion was visualised using a detector with 6 μm × 6 μm resolution. The mechanism of contrast gain for small inclusions on refraction images cannot be explained by X-ray absorption, and X-ray refraction was proposed as its cause. In order to analyse the object-size dependency of contrast, the signal intensity profile due to refracted X-rays at the boundary was fitted by an analytical serpentine curve, which is one of the cubic curves. Calculation showed that signal intensity at the centre of an object increased with the decrease of an object size by the overlapping of X-rays refracted to the inside, and that the increase was steep for objects of 100 μm and smaller. As a conclusion, X-ray refraction produced an extremely high contrast gain for small air voids in synchrotron radiation imaging with refraction mode, and consequently, this imaging will be a sensitive technique for non-destructive detection and mapping of minute air inclusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reports on the employment of X-radiography using the bremsstrahlung of a commercial broad-spectrum X-ray source to quantify the differences and relationships between complex materials of unknown composition. The materials examined were metallic powders embedded in a carrier paste. The resulting pseudo-signatures are transmission spectra over a range from 15 to 75 kV taken at 1 kV intervals, which were extracted from stacks of registered, field-flattened images. It is shown that it is possible to quantify differences between transmission spectra in order to differentiate between metallic powders used to impregnate the carrier paste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article evaluates several products including the Hitachi analytical scanning electron microscopes from Hitachi High Technologies America Inc., FAG DTECT X1 condition monitoring systems from FAG Industrial Services and the digital X-ray analysis from Carestream Health Inc.

Wood is the material that has accompanied the whole development of mankind in various applications, for manufacturing tools and weapons, for buildings and constructions and also as fuel. It has various appearances and is subjected to decomposing changes, so there are sufficient arguments for non-destructive testing of wooden objects in the same way as is common practice with other technologically used materials. However, even today wood is rarely tested. Moreover, artefacts of cultural heritage containing wood are rare and delicate, so dismantling these for studying purposes is undesirable. Radiological inspection technologies are the methods of choice to provide a non-destructive insight. Interrogations of a specimen with various kinds of radiation provide different answers about their internal structures. High-quality detailed images are achievable with X-rays or gamma radiation in cases where heavy metals or other dense materials are not involved. Neutrons behave complementarily; they are avidly absorbed by light elements such as hydrogen on the one hand and yet are capable of easily penetrating heavy metals on the other. This provides an alternative for X-ray radiography and tomography when material characteristics are of primary interest rather than structural details, or when shielding with plates or sleeves of heavy metal severely impedes inspections with X-ray or gamma radiation technologies. However, due to the moderating effect of wooden samples it is essential to use fast neutrons for radiography and tomography of voluminous objects. Some typical examples described here will show the difference between neutron and X-ray photon-based radiographic technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray refraction topography techniques are based on ultra-small angle scattering by micro-structural elements causing phase-related effects such as refraction and total reflection at a few minutes of arc as the refractive index of X-rays is nearly unity. The refraction contrast is several times higher than “true absorption” and results in images of cracks, pores and fibre debonding separations below the spatial resolution of the detector. In most cases the investigated inner surface and interface structures correlate to mechanical properties. For the exploration of micro structured materials the refraction technique has been improved by a 3D Synchrotron Refraction Computed Tomography test station. The specimen is placed in an X-ray beam between two single crystals, which suppresses all sample scattering. In addition, an asymmetric cut second crystal can magnify the image up to 50 times revealing nano meter resolution. The technique is an alternative to other attempts on raising the spatial resolution of CT machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article evaluates several products including ISOVOLT Titan E stationary X-ray machine from GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies, the ML-N Macro Lens range from Moritex Europe and the FLIR P660 camera from FLIR Systems Inc.

A robust image processing algorithm has been developed for detection of small and low contrasted defects, adapted to X-ray images of castings having a non-uniform background. The sensitivity to small defects is obtained at the expense of a high false alarm rate. We present in this paper a feature extraction approach to complement the image processing, reducing the false alarms rate, while keeping a high defect detection rate, which is impossible by image processing techniques alone. ROC curves show a very good performance by using a new feature parameter, called ‘Defect Confidence Index’, combining three parameters and taking into account the fact that X-ray grey-levels follow a statistical normal law. Results are shown on a set of 684 images, involving 59 defects, on which we obtained a 100% detection rate without any false alarm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both in radiographic and tomographic mode, conventional X-ray imaging provides information about the examined object which is not sufficient to characterise it precisely. The dual-energy X-ray technique, which works by combining two radiographs acquired at two distinct energies, permits to obtain both density and atomic number, thus information about material composition. Available systems usually perform energetic separation at the source level, but separation at the detector level is also possible for linear detectors, especially those devoted to translating objects control. Dual-energy equations can be easily written and solved for monochromatic energy spectra and perfect detectors, but become complex when considering realistic spectra, detector sensitivity, and system non-linearity. The decomposition onto a material basis, using experimental dual-material calibration, allows an approximated system to be solved, while eliminating the effects of disturbances such as beam hardening. More generally, we analyse the various problems to be solved before benefiting from the dual-energy approach, and propose available solutions. We evaluate the influence of noise on the accuracy of results, which strongly influences the capability to distinguish materials. We review the aspects to be optimised when considering a specific industrial problem. Numerical simulation is an efficient tool for optimal system design. Various industrial applications are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray radiography techniques are widely used for the non-destructive evaluation of composite nozzle liners of rocket motors. In conventional radiography it is difficult to distinguish the images corresponding to excess resin and resin lean regions in the composite, since the variation in the optical density is very small. Also, porous layers and minor delaminations will cast similar images in the radiographic projection. In this work, theoretical modelling is carried out for various defect conditions to study their effects on the X-ray images. The results are useful for characterisation of the defects in the nozzle liners by radiographic nondestructive evaluation. The observations provide very good input for the interpretation of radiographs in silicaphenolic and carbon-phenolic rocket nozzles. The details of the software developed and its application to solve specific problems are discussed. The changes in optical density with respect to the width of the defect, location of the defect and circumferential extension are investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray imaging is a powerful tool for the inspection of industrial castings. The radiograph quality is highly dependent of a large number of inspection parameters: generator settings, object geometrical parameters and detector characteristics. When trying to optimise these parameters, the large dimensionality of the problem makes manual investigation of the solution difficult. Within European project VERDICT, we propose to use simulation to predict the optimal imaging conditions, and thus to help the operator to tune the system prior to the inspection. We use a simulation software tool called ‘Sindbad’. For every particular set of acquisition parameters, a corresponding radiograph is simulated. A main loop scans the whole parameters space to find the optimal parameters set, using a defect detectability criteria as cost function. Detector response is precisely modelled, both for film and flat panel. Different versions of the detectability criteria are discussed, depending on whether detection is performed by numerical processing or human inspection. Experimental validation of our approach is performed using components from aeronautics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Casting is one of the most important processes in the manufacture of parts for various kinds of industries, among which the automotive industry stands out. Like every manufacturing process, there is the possibility of the occurrence of defects in the materials from which the parts are made, as well as of the appearance of faults during their operation. One of the most important tools for verifying the integrity of cast parts is radioscopy. This paper presents pattern recognition methodologies in radioscopic images of cast automotive parts for the detection of defects. Image processing techniques were applied to extract features to be used as input of the pattern classifiers developed by artificial neural networks. To estimate the accuracy of the classifiers, use was made of random selection techniques with sample reposition (Bootstrap technique) and without sample reposition. This work can be considered innovative in that field of research, and the results obtained motivate this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A histogram concavity-based thresholding approach has been used for segmenting porosities, voids and inclusions from digitised radiography images. Studies on small defects in cylindrical tubes and flat plates show that histogram concavity-based thresholding approach yields better results compared to conventional automatic thresholding techniques like Maximum Entropy and Otsu methods, where heterogeneous background present in the image due to the geometry and large X-ray quantum and structural noise gives poor segmentation. The segmentation procedure is optimised by filtering the abrupt noises with low-pass median filtering, followed by grey-level global thresholding. The histogram concavity-based thresholds provided excellent segmentation of pores and voids present in Electrochemical Hydrogen Sensors (ECHS), cast plates used in refineries, micro-pores in tube-to-tubesheet (TTS) welds of steam generator of fast breeder reactor, tungsten inclusion in Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welds, crater crack and external undercut in welds. An accuracy of ± 1-2 pixel sizes (65-130 microns) is obtained for the estimation of defects sizes from the grey-level profiling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents abstracts on mechanical engineering topics which include the common background method for X-ray stress measurement, detection and characterization of magnetic anomalies in gas turbine disks, and investigation of composition, chemical properties and structure of materials by synchrotron radiation (SR).

In this paper, the X-ray non-destructive test method of detecting small defects in precision weldments with complex structure is presented. To resolve the difficulty of small defects segmentation in a variable grey image with low contrast and to hold the shape of defects segmented, image processing based on the Visual Basic program method was adopted. The method of grey stretch was used to enhance the X-ray detection image which has relatively low contrast, then the automatic threshold method was carried out to segment the two high-intensity zones and the neighbourhood zones of raster, and weld zones which contain the small defects were extracted. Unsharp masking (USM) sharpening, high pass and smoothing processes were carried out on the extracted weld zones, and small defects in X-ray detection image of precision weldments were segmented using the method of background subtraction. The experimental results show that comparing with the gradient sharpen and smoothing processing, the original shape of the small defects segmented using the method described in this paper can be held, and the calculation speed of the provided algorithm was improved greatly for the processing that was carried out on the extracted weld zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditionally, the inspection of welding defects through X-rays is being carried out by experienced inspectors having sharp vision and adequate knowledge in identifying the defects. The inspection by human experts may sometimes lead to misinterpretation and found to be time-consuming. Hence, to increase the objectivity, accuracy, consistency and efficiency of radiographic image inspection, fully automated systems have been proposed by many researchers. Further image processing plays a vital role in the process of defect detection and classification in these automated systems. This paper focuses on the survey of existing image processing methods of radiographic testing to recognise and classify the defective patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiography has been used to evaluate the quality of electrolyte casting and the alignment of the reference electrode inside the electrochemical hydrogen meter (ECHM). The defect features from the radiography images have been quantified using image processing tools. The methodologies adopted for extracting the defect features and its quantification from image processing have been discussed. The experimental work described in this paper clearly demonstrates that the radiographic technique is a valuable tool to improve the fabrication process and to ensure defect-free electrolyte and proper electrode alignment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on various reports related to NONdestructive testing and condition monitoring. These include the NONdestructive testing techniques for industrial pipelines, the NONdestructive testing technology of submerged-arc welding linepipe manufacturing for oil and gas transportation, and the development of real-time x-ray accumulated dose detection system.

The mathematical modelling of radiographic images provides valuable input for the prediction of the characteristics of flaws in the test material. It can be used as an effective tool for the interpretation and analysis of radiographic images. in this paper, studies carried out on mathematical modelling of X-ray images for the quantitative evaluation of solid rocket motors is presented. The CAD data is used in the algorithm to simulate the complicated port geometry due to the star configuration. The close similarity of the simulated radiographs with the experimentally obtained radiographic images justifies the use of simulation in X-ray radiographic imaging. A necessary algorithm has also been developed for the simulation of radiographic images with spherical and ellipsoidal defects in the solid rocket motor. Case studies are also presented to emphasise the importance of simulation in radiographic NDE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-destructive tests have been increasingly used as an inspection method to assure the quality and reliability of products and equipment. Among non–destructive testing techniques, ultrasound is one of the most applied in industry, for detecting and sizing up discontinuities in materials, evaluating their properties, measuring thickness, etc. Some difficulties in metallic material inspections by other methods, such as radiography, to detect cracks that are parallel to the X-ray beam, have been eliminated by using the TOFD technique, which sends an ultrasound beam to the interior of the material being inspected but at an angle in relation to its surface. Although TOFD has high speed inspection, high sizing reliability and low rate of incorrect results, the classification of defects through ultrasound signals generated by the TOFD technique is still frequently questioned, because it depends heavily on the knowledge and experience of the operator. The use of computational tools for the pattern recognition, such as the artificial neural networks, has offered a new way to classify the defects detected using this technique. This study shows how to obtain the best hierarchical and non-hierarchical linear discriminators, in order to distinguish the main defects in welded joints detected by the TOFD technique, using the technique of neural networks for its implementation. The results are very promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible risers are flexible pipes used to bring oil from oil wells deep underwater to the surface, where it can be processed by Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) installations. Flexible risers consist of a number of layers of steel and polymer that have a complex structure and some layers are shielded by others, making non-destructive testing particularly difficult. This paper presents some experimental radiography of a sample flexible riser. Both single-wall and double-wall techniques were used with X-rays and gamma rays with both computed radiography imaging plates and an amorphous silicon flat-panel detector. The layer of the riser that is of particular interest is the pressure armour, which is the layer designed to withstand the internal pressure. It is a layer that is particularly difficult to inspect, as it is shielded by a metallic layer on both sides. The resulting images were used to develop an image processing technique designed to detect separations in the pressure armour, which is also presented here. The technique is based on the use of the Hough transform to detect non-structural lines in the image. This technique has been testedon a defect simulated by image processing and an artificial defect introduced to the flexible riser sample. The technique was found to be successful in detecting the artificial defect in a set of images, with only 4% of misclassification, which were all false positive results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD) technique has been widely used for automatic weld inspection. Despite the high speed of inspection, high reliability in sizing and the low rate of false indications, the classification of defects obtained by the TOFD technique is still frequently questioned since it depends mainly on the knowledge and experience of the operator. This dependence on the operator has led to attempts to automatically classify the defects detected during inspection and neural networks are powerful tools that can be used for this objective. The use of non-linear classifiers to improve the performance reached by linear classifiers, presented in previous works, is the main objective of this work. A-scan signals were obtained during the inspection of test samples containing well-controlled weld defect previously characterised by X-rays. After the inspection, the signals were divided into three classes; according to the type of defect found (lack of fusion, lack of penetration and porosity). Another class of signal was acquired from regions with no defects. Non-hierarchical and hierarchical non-linear classifiers, implemented by an artificial neural network, were used in the classification of these signals. The backpropagation learning rule was used to train the neural network. The performance of these two different classifiers was evaluated and compared. The non-linear classifiers had good results in the recognition of welding defect patterns of TOFD signals. The rate of success reached 100% and 98% for training and test respectively, against 99% and 96% for the linear classifiers, which were obtained in the last works[13,14] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to evaluate the sensitivity of defect inspection systems, it is convenient to examine simulated data. This gives the possibility to tune the parameters of the inspection method and to test the performance of the system in cases where the detection is known to be difficult. In this paper, an interactive environment for the simulation of defects in radioscopic images of aluminium castings is presented. The approach simulates only the flaws and not the whole radioscopic image of the object under test. A manifold surface is used to model a flaw with complex geometry, which is projected and superimposed onto real radioscopic images of a homogeneous object according to the exponential attenuation law for X-rays. The new grey value of a pixel, where the 3D flaw is projected, depends only on four parameters: a) the grey value of the original X-ray image without flaw; b) the linear absorption coefficient of the examined material; c) the maximal thickness observable in the radioscopic image; and d) the length of the intersection of the 3D flaw with the modelled X-ray beam, that is projected into the pixel. The approach allows the user the simulation of complex flaws at any position of an aluminium casting. Simulation results of flaws like blow holes and cracks on X-ray images are shown and contrasted with real digital images with real flaws. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a performance evaluation of the Kodak ACR 2000i Computed Radiography (CR) system. This evaluation includes a detailed examination of the exposure response characteristics of the system at X-ray potentials of 70 and 400 kVp. Both response curves exhibit common behaviour. Establishing a specific response level allows exposure curves for the system to be generated and this paper presents such curves from 40 kVp to 450 kVp. Exploration of the dynamic range obtained from these exposure curves indicates that the Imaging Plates (IPs) become increasingly sensitive to scatter as the X-ray potential is increased. Both primary scatter and backscatter are investigated along with measures to reduce the scatter. The response of the CR system is also investigated in relation to the classical methods of determining radiographic quality: spatial resolution and contrast sensitivity. The principal observation is that the Kodak ACR 2000i system has a huge dynamic range, and an almost unfailing ability to provide reasonable results almost regardless of radiographic technique. However, this disguises the fact that like all radiographic systems, there are optimum radiographic parameters and techniques required to obtain the best results. Above all the results in this paper stress the importance of good radiographic practice for CR systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, strong progress has been made in the development of non-invasive measurement equipment and techniques for the in-line determination of raw wool and boneless meat qualities in industrial applications. Wool base is a measure of the matter that comprises the ‘real’ wool, apart from grease, sheep gland excretions (called ‘suint’), water and vegetable matter. In meat we investigate the chemical lean as a percentage, where the remaining percentage is attributed to fat. These qualities are important parameters which determine their commercial return value. The instrumentation is based on dual energy X-ray (DEXA) scanning and detection, where an image of the scanned object is created and subsequently analysed without interrupting the process flow within the factory. In this technique, every pixel of the image provides data for a high and low energy X-ray beam, where both X-ray energies result from single X-ray energy spectrum generation. In wool, we developed a method to determine the wool base in raw wool by evaluating and comparing both energies for every pixel and finding mean properties for the entire fleece. The method is very promising, and we expect industrial applications to be employed in the future. We also developed a method to determine the chemical lean in boneless meat that is packed in standard size meat boxes. This method is successfully installed in industry, scanning nearly continuously several thousand meat boxes each day. Single energy analysis can be successfully employed to scan wool or meat for contamination, which is also briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Features several non-destructive testing products in Great Britain Distinct features of the new 360 kV 5 mA directional X-ray system, SITE-X 360, from Euroteck System UK Ltd.; System requirements of the new high-speed focus and stage control system, SynchroScan, from Syncroscopy company; Description of the L-PAD solid-state detector from Lambda Advanced Technology company.

Christopher Thorn is a wildlife artist and ex-MInstNDT (long since retired from external practice) but still actively engaged in art radiography, specialising in natural history subjects. He encourages others to look at radiography as an art form. His X-ray work has recently featured on BBC TV twice (Springwatch and Autumnwatch) and his X-ray image of a mole paw is to appear in a series of programmes called 'Secrets of Bones' on BBC4, commencing February 2014. One of Chris's X-ray wildlife studies has been judged by a panel, sitting for a significant international image collection, and has won an award to be presented at a ceremony taking place in London this month... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article evaluates the Cheetah and Cougar EVO microfocus X-ray from Yxlon.

The article focuses on achieving the limits of resolution in nanofocus X-ray inspection requires finding the most appropriate combination of X-ray detector and X-ray source. Topics include the combination of Advacam's photon-counting WidePIX detectors with the XWT-190-TCNF nanofocus tube yielded a performance even below the tube's nominal resolution of 0.5 microns, and Advacam develops the WidePIX line of high-resolution detector arrays with 55 micron pixel size using Si or CdTe sensors.

The article offers brief information on several commercial products including the A15 thermal imaging cameras from FLIR Systems Inc., Isovolt Lynx X-Rays machines from GE Measurement & Control company and Ultraviolet radiation blacklights from UV Light Technology Ltd.

A 3000-year-old sword with a broken blade of the Schalenknauf-type, that has been found in a Late Bronze Age grave near St. Pölten, Lower Austria, was analysed using different methods to get information about the manufacture and usage of Bronze Age swords. Among the methods used were X-ray, micro-X-ray computer tomography, EPMA, metallographic and surface analysis. The micro-X-ray computer tomography was done at the University of Applied Sciences in Wels, Upper Austria; it was the first time this method was ever applied on Bronze Age weaponry in Austria. It was possible to detect the cause of the breakage, assess the quality of the casting and locate the pouring gate. Furthermore, a detailed description of the casting method, the construction of the haft and the casting mould could be made. The break of the blade and the absence of other visible destruction marks (which are often found on intentionally destroyed swords) are arguments that support the theory of the use of the sword as a weapon. As the metallographic examination of the blade sample shows, the sword blade was annealed and cold-worked. Afterwards the blade was sharpened. A high percentage of European research on Bronze Age swords still considers them as unused or unusable weapons; this denies thousands of years of continuous development towards ultimate effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]