X-ray Imaging Equipment developing story and their technical advantages and disadvantages

X-ray Imaging Equipment developing story and their technical advantages and disadvantages

Currently, there are three main types of X-ray non-destructive testing equipment on the market: computed radiography (CR), digital radiography (DR), and traditional X-ray film imaging technology. Each of them has its own merits, but with the development of technology, DR systems are gradually becoming mainstream.

Below, we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages and differences of these three technologies in detail.

Overview of Technical Principles

1. X-ray DR Imaging System DR, or Digital Radiography System is a technology that directly converts X-rays into digital signals. It uses a flat panel detector (such as CCD, amorphous silicon, amorphous selenium, etc.) as the receiving end, and when X-rays are irradiated on the detector, the crystal circuit on the detector will quickly convert X-ray photons into digital current, and then produce a clear digital image. This changeover process is fast and efficient, which greatly improves the inspection efficiency.

2. CR Imaging System CR, or Computed Radiography is an indirect conversion technique. It uses an image plate as an X-ray detector, and when the image plate is irradiated with X-rays, it fluoresces and stores latent images formed by changes in X-ray intensity. After that, through the laser excitation of the scanner, the latent image signal is converted into visible light, which is then processed by the optoelectronic system and finally formed into an image on the computer. However, the X-ray energy loss is large during this process, and the latent image signal will decay over time, affecting the image quality.

3. X-ray Film Imaging Technology is a traditional imaging method. When an X-ray hits the film emulsion layer, the silver halide crystals in the emulsion layer react chemically and coalesce to form an image. The more light there is, the tighter the crystals coalesce, and the clearer the image will be. However, this method is dependent on the quality and exposure conditions of the film, and the subsequent processing steps are cumbersome.

Comparison of technical advantages and disadvantages

1. Exposure Latitude DR and CR have a wide exposure latitude due to the use of digital technology, which can achieve good image quality under different conditions. Film imaging technology, on the other hand, requires higher exposure conditions and has a relatively narrow tolerance.

2. Image resolution CR system: Due to structural limitations, phosphorus particles in the image wrench will cause X-ray scattering and reduce image resolution. In addition, the excitation light from the scanner is scattered, further blurring the image. DR system: no optical blur, image clarity is mainly determined by pixel size. Its high spatial resolution and rich image post-processing functions enable the DR system to obtain more satisfactory diagnostic results. Film imaging: High-quality film can achieve very high resolution, but the processing process is complex and costly.

3. Exposure dose The DR system can directly obtain digital image data, and the exposure dose is relatively low. However, the CR system has a high exposure dose requirement due to the need to read the latent image signal and the signal attenuation. Film imaging techniques also require higher exposure doses to obtain clear images.

4. Noise There are multiple noise sources in the CR system, which affect the image quality. The DR system reduces structure-borne noise by automatically recovering the detector array, resulting in a higher signal-to-noise ratio.

5. Workflow CR system: The image generation process is complex and time-consuming. DR system: The image can be obtained in a short time after exposure, and the work efficiency is high. Film imaging: It needs to go through multiple steps such as development and fixing to form a visible image.

6. Network integration DR system directly converts digital images and supports DICOM3.0 standard protocol, which has stronger network integration characteristics. The CR system can also be networked, but it is relatively weak. Film imaging technology does not allow for direct network integration.

7. Defect judgment The evaluation of film imaging technology relies on manual judgment, which is highly subjective and labor-intensive. Although DR and CR systems can assist in automatic judgment, they are not yet fully mature. However, in some industries, such as PCB board inspection, automatic judgment systems have been used.

8. Image Storage Traditional film storage, management, and perishability. The DR and CR systems use the massive storage function of the computer to achieve digital management, which greatly facilitates the preservation and query of images.

9. Equipment Costs In terms of equipment costs, for large enterprises, the initial investment in a digital imaging system (such as a DR system) does require a significant expense. However, this cost will gradually become advantageous over time. Typically, within a short period of one to two years, companies can recoup this investment by saving money on film and increasing production efficiency. In the long run, the total cost of a digital imaging system is much lower than the cost of using film imaging technology on an ongoing basis. This is because digital imaging technology reduces the consumption of consumables such as film and processing fluids, while also reducing the cost of storage, management, and transportation.

10. Environmental Advantages In terms of environmental protection, CR and DR systems have significant advantages over traditional X-ray film imaging techniques. The film processing process not only produces a large amount of industrial wastewater, but also may contain harmful substances such as heavy metals, which can cause pollution to the environment. Digital imaging technology completely avoids this problem, as it does not require film development and therefore does not produce harmful wastewater, which is good for environmental protection and sustainable development. With the increasing attention to environmental protection issues around the world, this advantage of digital imaging technology will become more and more prominent.

Conclusion In summary, from the perspective of adapting to the modern production environment and long-term development, digital imaging technology (especially DR system) has many advantages over traditional film imaging technology. Although film imaging may still have certain advantages in some aspects (such as subjective evaluation of image quality), its imaging speed, work efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental performance are far from meeting the needs of modern production. With the continuous development and popularization of high technology, digital imaging technology is gradually replacing film imaging technology and becoming the mainstream in the field of industrial non-destructive testing. In the field where DR systems can be applied, the market prospects for CR and X-ray film imaging technologies are relatively unclear, and they may gradually fade out of the market in the future.