A detection system serves for X-ray inspection of an object. An imaging optical arrangement serves to image the object in an object plane illuminated by X-rays generated by an X-ray source. The imaging optical arrangement comprises an imaging optics to image a transfer field in a field plane into a detection field in a detection plane. A detection array is arranged at the detection field. An object mount holds the object to be imaged and is movable relative to the light source via an object displacement drive along at least one lateral object displacement direction in the object plane. A shield stop with a transmissive shield stop aperture is arranged in an arrangement plane in a light path and is movable via a shield stop displacement drive in the arrangement plane. A control device has a drive control unit, which is in signal connection with the shield stop displacement drive and with the object displacement drive for synchronizing a movement of the shield stop displacement drive and the object displacement drive. The result is an optimization of an X-ray illumination of the object to achieve a high-resolution object imaging.

A detection system serves for X-ray inspection of an object. An imaging optical arrangement serves to image the object in an object plane illuminated by X-rays generated by an X-ray source. The imaging optical arrangement comprises an imaging optics to image a transfer field in a field plane into a detection field in a detection plane. A detection array is arranged at the detection field. An object mount holds the object to be imaged and is movable relative to the light source via an object displacement drive along at least one lateral object displacement direction in the object plane. A shield stop with a transmissive shield stop aperture is arranged in an arrangement plane in a light path and is movable via a shield stop displacement drive in the arrangement plane. A control device has a drive control unit, which is in signal connection with the shield stop displacement drive and with the object displacement drive for synchronizing a movement of the shield stop displacement drive and the object displacement drive. The result is an optimization of an X-ray illumination of the object to achieve a high-resolution object imaging.

A radiation imaging system includes a radiation imaging apparatus and an imaging control apparatus, the radiation imaging apparatus includes a dose detection pixel that detects a dose of radiation irradiated from a radiation source, and the imaging control apparatus controls the radiation imaging apparatus. Before radiation imaging, the imaging control apparatus specifies a position of the dose detection pixel in a region of interest for calculating a dose indicator value of a radiation image, determines a threshold according to the position of the dose detection pixel, and transmits the position of the dose detection pixel and the threshold to the radiation imaging apparatus. The radiation imaging apparatus makes a setting of the position of the dose detection pixel in the region of interest and the threshold transmitted from the imaging control apparatus, and performs imaging based on the setting.

A computer-implemented method of automated X-ray inspection during the production of printed circuit board, PCB, assemblies. The method includes capturing an X-ray image of a PCB assembly, determining a first error indicator based on image processing of the captured X-ray image, determining, in case the first error indicator indicates the PCB assembly as faulty, a second error indicator based on the captured X-ray image using a trained adaptive algorithm, and outputting the second error indicator as a result of the inspection.

The present disclosure provide pipe scanning systems suitable for performing integrity and reliability inspection of pipelines, including insulated and non-insulated pipelines. The pipe scanning system may include a track disposed about a surface of the pipeline (e.g., on top of the insulation for insulated pipelines or on top of the pipe for non-insulated pipelines) and a scanning device mounted on the track via a drive carriage. The drive carriage includes components to facilitate movement of the drive carriage and the scanning device along the track such that the scanning device travels about the circumference of the pipeline. The scanning device includes an x-ray emitter and a digital x-ray detector that may capture media content indicative of a scanned section of the pipeline (e.g., a 360° circumferential scan), and the media content may be analyzed to detect the presence of one or more defects, such as corrosion under insulation (CUI).

The present disclosure provide pipe scanning systems suitable for performing integrity and reliability inspection of pipelines, including insulated and non-insulated pipelines. The pipe scanning system may include a track disposed about a surface of the pipeline (e.g., on top of the insulation for insulated pipelines or on top of the pipe for non-insulated pipelines) and a scanning device mounted on the track via a drive carriage. The drive carriage includes components to facilitate movement of the drive carriage and the scanning device along the track such that the scanning device travels about the circumference of the pipeline. The scanning device includes an x-ray emitter and a digital x-ray detector that may capture media content indicative of a scanned section of the pipeline (e.g., a 360° circumferential scan), and the media content may be analyzed to detect the presence of one or more defects, such as corrosion under insulation (CUI).

A flexible and/or deformable mechanical element may comprise one or more radiographic markers. The one or more radiographic markers may have a radiopacity greater than a radiopacity of a parent material forming a body of the mechanical element. A radiographic image of a portion of an assembly into which the mechanical element has been installed may include a representation of the one or more radiographic markers that indicates a condition of the mechanical element.

A flexible and/or deformable mechanical element may comprise one or more radiographic markers. The one or more radiographic markers may have a radiopacity greater than a radiopacity of a parent material forming a body of the mechanical element. A radiographic image of a portion of an assembly into which the mechanical element has been installed may include a representation of the one or more radiographic markers that indicates a condition of the mechanical element.

A radiography system for use on a pipe traversing robot, including a mechanism configured to automatically adjust the position(s) of a radiation source and/or an imager thereof based on a diameter of the pipe. Another radiography system including a computer vision system configured to process radiography imagery to define a measured interface between the pipe and insulation surrounding the pipe, and a control system configured to automatically adjust a position(s) of a radiation source and/or an imager thereof based on a location of or non-presence of the measured interface in the radiography imagery. A computer vision system for detecting potential anomalies in a pipe's surface. A fail safe mechanism configured to prevent a robot from falling off a pipe while allowing the robot to traverse obstacles extending from or tangential to the pipe. A robot having one or more fail safe mechanisms configured to be selectably extended and retracted.

A radiography system for use on a pipe traversing robot, including a mechanism configured to automatically adjust the position(s) of a radiation source and/or an imager thereof based on a diameter of the pipe. Another radiography system including a computer vision system configured to process radiography imagery to define a measured interface between the pipe and insulation surrounding the pipe, and a control system configured to automatically adjust a position(s) of a radiation source and/or an imager thereof based on a location of or non-presence of the measured interface in the radiography imagery. A computer vision system for detecting potential anomalies in a pipe's surface. A fail safe mechanism configured to prevent a robot from falling off a pipe while allowing the robot to traverse obstacles extending from or tangential to the pipe. A robot having one or more fail safe mechanisms configured to be selectably extended and retracted.