Importance of Flexibility In X-Ray CT Systems

Flexibility can be defined as the capability to change and to adapt to a challenging environment. Since X-ray CT, as a non-destructive technology, has been accessible for industrials in flaw detection, failure analysis, and measurement, there are many R&D, quality, or production departments in the industrial sector for which adaptation as quickly and easily as possible to any changes is essential. Due to its simplicity, X-ray CT is ideal for fast, high-resolution imaging and microtomography of materials research samples, industrial components and small biological specimens.

Being Able To Adapt Whatever The Sample To Scan

Frequent changes in customer desire and rapid changes in various technologies have led to a shorter product life cycle. Manufacturers are pushed to respond to such changes in order to stay competitive. Flexibility of the measuring technologies involved in the production process is a key feature in order to face such challenges.

Therefore, a flexible X-ray CT system will allow scanning the widest range of shapes and sizes of any standard system. It’s a multi-scale tool, that can be used to scan complete samples as well as zooming on the microstructure to get a more localized visualization. The biggest benefit of flexible X-ray CT systems is accompanying companies become more efficient and thus improve their products.

For instance, if something within the production/R&D process changes, the CT system can easily be configurated to keep production flowing to reduce delays and obstacles. This helps to create faster production times and, as a result, increased customer service and satisfaction.

What Does It Mean For a CT System To Be Flexible?

A flexible X-ray CT system must have a powerful and innovative design with high-performance imaging elements along with an open and accurate mechanic, made up of multiple motion axes. The X-ray system openness allows the zoom and the power to be adapted to the type of sample, materials, and size of the part.

CT systems’ flexibility means they can adapt the scanning setup to the sample thanks to the openness of the CT system. The system can scan very close to the X-ray source or very close to the detector with thus can either have a very high resolution but a reduced measuring volume, or vice versa.

A flexible X-ray CT system can digitize items as small as 5 mm with a resolution of 5 µm when scanning near the source. This is of interest when scanning a small sample at high resolution to get as many details as possible. On the contrary, when scanning near to the detector, systems should have a bigger volume that allows digitizing larger parts in size. This can be achieved with a 100 µm resolution, which is adequate for detecting and measuring small features.

X-Ray CT Systems’ Flexibility Benefits

–   Cover multiple applications with one single equipment

–    Help to achieve ROI on the system

–    Increase the capacity to produce a broad range of scans whatever the parts

–    One step ahead: X-ray CT helps to adapt to any change in production

–    Improved competitiveness

–    Reduce the costs of operation because their ability to adapt to changes helps to prevent defective products as well as wasted time and resources.

The advanced and innovative design of RX Solutions’ CT systems helps to achieve such goal. The product portfolio is made of flexible CT systems equipped with both sealed and/or open X-ray tubes coupled with flat panels detectors or high-resolution cameras. Thanks to the multiple configurations, motion axes available coupled with a performing software, RX Solutions CT systems are able to adapt to all your needs.

RX Solutions X-ray CT systems are integrated with full-featured “X-Act” software, a proprietary offering, streamlines acquisition, reconstruction, and is enhanced by advanced corrective algorithms, capable of automated workflow: scanning, reconstruction, and inspection