X-ray inspection system

A method for computerized measuring and testing of a part, comprising the steps of:

• providing a directed beam of X-ray radiation;
• positioning a part in the X-ray radiation beam;
• moving the part in a plane perpendicular to said X-ray beam such that a predetermined area of the part is exposed to the X-ray beam radiation;
• measuring the radiation passing through the predetermined area of the part;
• converting the measured radiation to digital data;
• transmitting said digital data to a computer processing unit;
• converting in the computer processing unit the digital data to pixel iamge data;
• generating a first planar image of the part from the pixel image data, said first image representing an image of the part perpendicular to the X-ray radiation beam;
• analyzing the first image for identifying probable flaws in the part;
• positioning the part in the X-ray beam such that each of the probable flaws is aligned with the beam;
• rotating the part about an axis normal to the X-ray beam for generating a tomographic image of the part in a plane of the beam for each of the probable flaws;
• and
• analyzing the tomographic image for identifying flaws in the part.

A method of computerized measuring and testing of a part, comprising the steps of:

• providing a source of a directed beam of X-ray radiation;
• providing a linear array detector having a plurality of radiation detecting elements for receiving X-ray radiation;
• positioning a part in the x-ray radiation beam between the source and the detector such that some of the radiation received by predetermined elements of the detector is not intercepted by the part;
• and
• normalizing data generated by the detector in response to radiation passing through the part by adjusting the data as a function of intensity of the X-ray radiation beam as determined by radiation received by the predetermined elements of the detector.

A computer based system for non-destructive measuring and testing of a manufactured part by X-ray analysis comprising:

• a loading station for loading a part into a part holding mechanism, said mechanism being adapted to hold the part in a predetermined orientation;
• conveyor means for transporting the part from the loading station to an inspection station;
• an X-ray source for generating a high intensity X-ray radiation beam;
• a linear array X-ray detector for converting received X-ray radiation into electrical signals representative thereof;
• means in said inspection station for grasping said part holding mechanism and for positioning the part in an X-ray radiation path between the X-ray source and the X-ray detector;
• means coupled to said grasping means for effecting relative motion between the part and said X-ray radiation beam;
• and
• means for converting said electrical signals to data suitable for two dimensional representation such that the part can be measured and defects recognized from the representation.

In a computer based system for non-destructive measuring and testing of manufactured parts, having an X-ray source for providing a directed beam of X-ray radiation, a linear array X-ray detector for converting received X-ray radiation into electrical signals thereof, the method comprising the steps of:

• a. loading a part in a gripper such that only a base poriton of said part is held by opposing jaws of the gripper;
• b. transporting the gripper with the part on a transporter into a part receiving station;
• c. acquiring the gripper with a manipulator, the manipulator automatically centering and aligning the gripper along a projected central axis of the manipulator;
• and
• d. operating the manipulator for positioning the part in a predetermined orientation in a path of X-ray radiation from the X-ray source.

In a computer based system for nondestructive measuring and testing of manufactured parts, an X-ray source for providing a directed beam of X-ray radiation, a linear array X-ray detector for converting received X-ray radiation into electrical signals representative thereof, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing control signals for positioning a part in each of a plurality of predetermined positions adjacent an X-ray source;
• energizing the X-ray source for generating radiation in coordination with said positioning means for effecting exposure of said part to X-ray radiation at each of said predetermined positions;
• generating signals responsive to each of said plurality of predetermined positions for effecting sampling of said X-ray radiation beam detected by the detector;
• and
• changing a sequence of inspection operations in response to data from a computer wherein the sequence of operations includes at least one of the steps of:
• (1) moving the part in a linear pattern through the X-ray beam;
• and
• (2) rotating the part in the X-ray beam while maintaining the part at a selected linear position.

A method for computerized measuring and testing of a manufactured part, comprising the steps of:

• providing a beam of X-ray radiation;
• positioning a part in the X-ray radiation beam;
• moving the part linearly within said X-ray beam so that a predetermined area of the part is exposed to the X-ray beam radiation;
• measuring the intensity of radiation passing through the part;
• converting the measured intensity to an image of the part;
• identifying areas deserving of detailed analysis from the image of the part;
• positioning the part such that an area deserving of detailed analysis is located in the X-ray radiation beam;
• rotating the part about an axis normal to the plane of the X-ray beam so as to form an image of the part along a plane passing through each area deserving of detailed analysis;
• measuring the radiation passing through the area;
• converting the measured radiation to visual data;
• transmitting said digital data to a computer processing unit;
• converting in the computer processing unit the digital data to pixel image data;
• and
• generating a planar image of the area deserving analysis from the pixel image data.