DIGITAL IMAGING TECHNIQUES

Digital Imaging Techniques

Digital imaging techniques

AGFA can trace its NDT roots back to 1939 with the introduction of its first radiographic film product and since then has been a leading supplier of radiographic film to the NDT community. It is only in recent times (August 1999), when we acquired the American company RADView, that we were able to offer digital solutions. The acquisition of Krautkramer followed, allowing us to pursue the ultrasonic market and offering a more comprehensive choice from a world market leader. Offers of intent to Seifert & Pantak followed, offering an even wider choice. (Pauwels 2000)

As an aside, but as a further insight into our quest for solutions and new techniques in rapidly evolving technologies is our most recent acquisition of Talk Technology, North America's leading supplier of voice enabled clinical workflow and reporting solutions for healthcare. In short voice recognition.

Digital Solutions For Ndt

But I digress. Back to digital radiography and where does it fit into today's NDT environment. For over 60 years, x-ray film has been the standard for industrial radiography because of its functional utility and perceived high image quality. It has performed the functions of capture, display, storage and communication of the image data. Until now, all efforts to integrate NDT film radiography into the digital environment have been compromises requiring both intermediate conversion steps and additional work by the technician or technologist. (Pauwels 2000)

Only recently has it become technically possible and economically viable to use electronic technologies to supplant film for 3 of its 4 functions - image display, storage and communication.

Applications For Digital

In the US for example there are about 12 AGFA DR systems in foundries which cast aluminum and steel parts. Because of current limitations in ASTM codes for final inspections they are mainly utilised in in-process inspections of wax or rough metal works although at least two units are used in electronics and plastics inspection. Major efforts are being focused on updating the relevant codes so that we can extend digital technology into final inspection. (Willems 2000)

In Alaska, our biggest CR installation, is being used for erosion/corrosion work and is producing several hundred images per day whilst another installation involves a nuclear power station doing similar inspection.

So you can see, we are not talking today about the future, we are talking now.

This will mean the benefit of;

Direct Radiography for film replacement

Computed radiography for foundry control

Film digitisation for information enhancement

New technologies (high resolution DR, tabletop CR)

These combined with x-ray to digital conversion sensors; display facilities; for resolution and calibration and the ability to archive and retrieve easily only means that you will be able to optimise your techniques and improve process validation, workflow analysis and data management. These leading to bottom line savings based on;

The elimination of x-ray bottlenecks

Improving product quality and consistency

Identifying product defects upstream

Reducing consumable costs

Improving information flow

Let's have a look at a very simple study of " Flow Accelerated Corrosion (FAC) Monitoring" using ...