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.

The subject invention pertains to a suction-controllable triaxial test system and a method for studying the micro-hydro-mechanical behavior of unsaturated soils through the visualization of the in-situ evolution of three-dimensional (3D) microstructure upon triaxial loading in a ((p-u.sub.a), q, s) space. The triaxial apparatus can be small enough to be operated within a micro-focus or nano-focus X-ray CT scanner. Internal characteristics and 3D movements of soil particles and the water and air in soil pores can be visualized during in-situ controllable hydro-mechanical loading processes without disturbing the soil sample. The evolution of 3D micro-structure of unsaturated soil samples of varying matric suction can be directly related with their element-scale behavior for conducting cross-scale fundamental studies.

The subject invention pertains to a suction-controllable triaxial test system and a method for studying the micro-hydro-mechanical behavior of unsaturated soils through the visualization of the in-situ evolution of three-dimensional (3D) microstructure upon triaxial loading in a ((p-u.sub.a), q, s) space. The triaxial apparatus can be small enough to be operated within a micro-focus or nano-focus X-ray CT scanner. Internal characteristics and 3D movements of soil particles and the water and air in soil pores can be visualized during in-situ controllable hydro-mechanical loading processes without disturbing the soil sample. The evolution of 3D micro-structure of unsaturated soil samples of varying matric suction can be directly related with their element-scale behavior for conducting cross-scale fundamental studies.

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.

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.