computed radiography key elements for consideration · pdf filecomputed radiography key...
TRANSCRIPT
COMPUTED RADIOGRAPHY KEY ELEMENTS for CONSIDERATION
AWS FABTECH Atlanta - 2010 Terry Plasek
Fujifilm NDT Systems
MANAGEMENT
$
THE BOTTOM LINE
• COST CONTAINMENT • COST REDUCTION • IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY • NEW TECHNOLOGY
• COMPETITIVE EDGE • WINNING • BE PROFITABLE
THAT’S WHY WE’RE HERE!
The Role Of:
RADIOGRAPHY
HAS ALWAYS BEEN EXPENSIVE: • FILM • CHEMISTRY • TIME • STAFF • HAZMAT
TIMES ARE CHANGING!
X-Ray Film Prices Have Been And Will Continue to Increase
One Solution is the Conversion to Computed Radiography
Radiographic Film:
Medical Imaging Is the Market Driver for New Technologies
Research Money
Fujifilm Research Budget
Entire USA Market
Fujifilm Investment: 12 Times the Total USA NDT FILM Market Potential
Just The Facts Please
Let’s Take a Look at: • Myths • Wrong Assumptions • Actual Facts
MYTH 1: “It’s a Digital System”…………….Yes, BUT It is “CR” Not to be Confused with Other Systems
MYTH 2: “It’s Medical”…………………. Very Wrong it is an NDT System MYTH 3: “They are all the same”……… IN “CR” NAME ONLY
MYTHS and DISPELLING THEM
ASSUMPTIONS
ASSUMPTION 1 All CR Systems are the Same…………Wrong Assumption
ASSUMPTION 2 Smaller Laser Spots are Better………..Misconception
ASSUMPTION 3 Lowest Price Will Do………………….. Lowest Cost Does
Computed Radiography is the Oldest and Most Proven Digital Imaging RT Technology. It Is Still Evolving, and is a “True Film Replacement”
Fact 1
CR is a constantly Evolving Technology, based on Market Demands for Image Quality And System performance.
Fact 2
NDT CR” Systems are NOT Medical Imagers. They Utilize Specific Imaging Plates NDT Software
NDT Electronics NDT Capacity for Higher Dose
Fact 3
There is NO ONE PARTICULAR ELEMENT of a “CR SYSTEM” which Guarantees “ FILM QUALITY IMAGERY”. All SYSTEM ELEMENTS MUST FUNCTION IN UNISON. There are 4 Basic Elements, Integrated by One KEY CATALYST.
Fact 4
KEY ELEMENTS “CR” Has Always Consisted of Four Major Elements
1 2 3 4
Imaging Plates “IP’s”
Reader Unit “RU”
Software Workstation
FMSU CONFIDENTIAL - 13 September 2006
The Catalyst
The Well Trained Radiographic Inspector is the True Key to Successful Implementation of Digital NDT RT Technology.
THE CONVERSION:
Film Radiography Computed Radiography
ONE PITFALL
All NDT X-Ray Films Provided By All Manufacturers Are of Excellent Quality. Historically:" Buy the Ones Which Offer the “BEST PRICE”
THE ASSUMPTION
Film Radiography Computed Radiography
The “Best Priced” CR System is the Same as ALL Others
NOT THE CASE ALL CR SYSTEMS ARE NOT THE SAME
EARLY CR APPLICATIONS
• Profile Exams • Corrosion/Erosion
Important Tests, However for Code Work X-Ray Film Was Still Being Used Most CR Systems can Comply
THE LANDSCAPE HAS CHANGED
TODAY’S REQUIREMENTS
A Variety of Applications Requiring TRUE FILM REPLACEMENT
THE MANAGERIAL ROLE
The primary role of the Manager is to assure that Any decision made with regards to “CR” will make the Company, or Department more Profitable, with Improved Productivity, using Leading Edge Technology, resulting In a “LEG UP” on any Competition.
Management Concerns: • Code Approvals • ASTM Documents • ASME Documents • Ultimate Customer Approval and Acceptance • The TRUE COST not the PRICE
FILM QUALITY IMAGES & RESULTS
FMSU CONFIDENTIAL - 13 September 2006
THE ELEMENTS OF THE IMAGE ITSELF 1 2 3
Spatial Resolution
Contrast Resolution
Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR)
TO ACHIEVE FILM QUALITY We Must Examine:
FMSU CONFIDENTIAL - 13 September 2006
Spatial Resolution
TO ACHIEVE FILM QUALITY We Will Address
How Is IT Achieved?
What Key Elements are Needed?
• Imaging Plate Cross Section
X-Ray Thicker Phosphor Coatings in IP’s:
• Higher “QDE” • More Internal Scatter
Element 1 The Imaging Plate
There are Currently FIVE Types of Imaging Plates Available
• 4 X-Ray, Gamma, Linac Various Grain Size Various Speed
• 1 Neutron
FMSU CONFIDENTIAL - 13 September 2006
Element 2 The “CR” Reader
The Reader Excites the IP with Laser Light, Extracts The Latent Image, Erases the IP, Converts “A” to “D”
FMSU CONFIDENTIAL - 13 September 2006
Element 2 The “CR” Reader
The Laser --------------------------
25 Micron 50 Micron 100 Micron XXX Micron
Is the Size Of the Laser NOT The System Resolution
Systems with Selectable Laser Spot Size: Done with Software
FMSU CONFIDENTIAL - 13 September 2006
Element 2 The “CR” Reader
Laser Spot Size
Pixel Dimension 1
Sampling Rate
Pixel Size File Size 14” x 17”
50 Micron 0.002”
50 Micron 0.002”
20 Pixels/mm 0.002” x 0.002”
135 MB
64 MP
100 Micron 0.004”
100 Micron 0.004”
10 Pixels/mm 0.004” x 0.004”
35 MB
16MP 200 Micron 0.008”
200 Micron 0.008”
5 Pixels/mm
0.008” x 0.008”
15 MB
8 MP
THE CORRECT PROCESS
FMSU CONFIDENTIAL - 13 September 2006
Element 2 The “CR” Reader Conversion to DIGITAL
Pixels are “THREE DIMENSIONAL
FMSU CONFIDENTIAL - 13 September 2006
Element 2 The “CR” Reader
THE PROCESS: Which Determines Image Quality
Laser Scanning “X’ Direction: Main Scan
Pixel Sampling Along Main Scan Direction
Laser Indexing (Translational Movement)
…………………… …………………… ……………………
Imaging Plate
PIXEL HEIGHT
PIXEL WIDTH
NEXT LINE
FMSU CONFIDENTIAL - 13 September 2006
Element 2 The “CR” Reader
The Laser Spot Size Determines ONLY One Dimension Of The Pixel Size
FMSU CONFIDENTIAL - 13 September 2006
Element 2 The “CR” Reader
The Sampling Rate Along that Line Determines The Second Dimension of the PIXEL
……………..
ONLY ONE LINE!
FMSU CONFIDENTIAL - 13 September 2006
Element 2 The “CR” Reader
Translational Movement is as Critical
INDEXING
LINE TO LINE
FMSU CONFIDENTIAL - 13 September 2006
Element 2 The “CR” Reader
The Translation Along the Axis 90 Degrees to the Laser Scan Direction is Equally as Critical.
UNIFORM PIXEL MATRIX!
“CR” E2444-05 Stability Document ASTM: That is WHY the ASTM Gage Exists
Laser Jitter
Transport Slippage Sharp Edge (Spatial Check)
Exposure Homogeneity
Linearity Check
Element 3 Software
There are Two Software Activities Associated with A “Production” CR System.
System Controller Software
Workstation or Imaging Software
Element 3 Software
System Controller Software
• Controls the System • User Interface • Demographics Entry • Applies Pre-Processes • Enables QA Functions • Directs Exporting Images • Re-Processes Raw Data • Data Entry
Element 3 Software
System Controller Software
This Terminal Allows Inspection Personnel to Easily Use The System. It is Menu Driven.
Element 3 Software : System Controller
Close up: Vendor Supplied or User Generated
The Purpose of the Menu is an Assurance that all Images of any Particular Study Have Been CONSISTANT and Not ARBITRARY
Element 3 Software
System Controller Software
• Controls the System • User Interface • Demographics Entry
• Applies Pre-Processes • Enables QA Functions • Directs Exporting Images • Re-Processes Raw Data • Data Entry • Demographics entry
Besides Applying those Gray Scale and Edge Treatment Values Associated with the “READ” Menu.
HISTOGRAM NORMALIZATION Exposure Data Recognizer
Exposure Data Recognition Immediately Starts Correcting The Image by generating a Histogram Analysis of the Image Data and extracts only the information needed for output, securing the Gray Scale data, and creating an Optimized FILM QUALITY Image,
Element 3 Software
Some Images are Displayed in a linear Fashion, where Gray scales are Displayed as a direct Function of Dose, displaying Both Underexposed And “D-Max” Pixel values.
Element 3 Software
Optimum Image Quality is Obtained when Information is Displayed in the form of the Sensitometry Curves as achieved in Film Radiography…..when TRUE FILM REPLACEMENT is required.
The image cannot be displayed. Your computer may not have enough memory to open the image, or the image may have been corrupted. Restart your computer, and then open the file again. If the red x still appears, you may have to delete the image and then insert it again.
Element 3 Software
EXPOSURE FEEDBACK
As there is no way to determine Film Density, there has to be a Method to assist in establishing Correct Exposure Parameters.
One method is to Display the “Dose” of Radiation Impinged On the Imaging Plate Itself,
• Linear • Feedback to Erasure Process
Element 3 Software
If the Correct Menu and Functions are Used: Inspector Intervention Should be Limited to Simple Zooming, Scrolling, and Slight Window And Leveling.
WITHOUT These Automated Features the CR Process Can be very SLOW. Adjusting Each Image is Simply Not COST EFFECTIVE. CR Becomes a Lab Tool, Not an Inspection System
Element 4 The Workstation
Most Utilize Flat Panel Displays
2 Mega-Pixel 3 mega-Pixel 4 Mega-Pixel 5 Mega-Pixel ETC. Etc.
Select the Display That Meets your Needs. A Higher Resolution Display Is Worthless When Viewing A Lower Resolution Image
Element 4 The Workstation
Most Utilize Flat Panel Displays
2 Mega-Pixel 3 mega-Pixel 4 Mega-Pixel 5 Mega-Pixel ETC. Etc.
All Workstations Should have Networking Capability and Image Storage Options of Resident and remote Storage
Computed Radiography Approvals
• E 2007-08 Standard Guide for CR • E 2033-99 Standard Practice for CR • E 2445-05 Qualification and Long Term Stability Document • E 2422-05 Digital Reference Images (Al) • E2446-05 Classification of Computed Radiography Systems • E 2339-08 DICONDE A version of DICOM--- Modified for NDT Use
ASTM:
Computed Radiography Approvals
• ASME ASME Section V Article 2 Mandatory Appendix VIII
Radiography Using Phosphor Imaging Plate
THE KEY ELEMENTS
ACTION PLAN AS MANAGEMENT
• CUTOMER REQUIREMENTS • PURCHASE SPECIFICATIONS
CUSTOMERS HAVE ALWAYS REQUIRED THE SUBMITTAL OF AN RT TECHNIQUE:
• RADIATION ENERGY • GEOMETRY • PENETAMETER SENSITIVITY • FILM TYPE* • PROCESSING PARAMETERS
THE KEY ELEMENTS
*As There is no Film: • Imaging Plate Type • System Classification (ASTM) • Algorithms: • Contrast, an Absolute Value • Gray Scale (Absolute Value Range) • Curve Applied, Absolute Value • Edge Treatment Brightness, Absolute Value • Edge Treatment Width, Absolute Value • Level and Degree of Histogram Normalization • Dose value
Simply Adjusting the Contrast and Gray Level on Each Obtained Image Without Displaying and Documenting Absolute Values Will Not Be Acceptable.
THE KEY ELEMENTS
Simply Adjusting the Contrast and Gray Level on Each Obtained Image Without Displaying and Documenting Absolute Values Will Not Be Acceptable.
Every Image has to be Traceable with Regards to the Algorithms Applied, in Defined Quantitative Values.
The Days of Manually Adjusting Each Image to the Preference of the Interpreter are Gone. Each Image Has to be Permanently Stored, as Interpreted with A Traceable Record of the Method of Which the Image was Generated, in a DICONDE (DICOM) Format, with True Backwards and Forward Compatibility.
THE KEY ELEMENTS • PURCHASE SPECIFICATIONS
• Type of Imaging Plate Speed, Grain Size, Sizes • Type of Imaging Plate Transport • Method of Demographics Entry • Method of Applying “Read Software” • Type of Erasure Sub-System • Method of Determining Adequate Erasure • Method of Avoiding Latent Image and • Double Exposure • Dust and Artifact Control Methods • Ease of Operation • Speed of System (Images per Hour)
THE KEY ELEMENTS • PURCHASE SPECIFICATIONS
• Type of Laser • Laser Sampling Rate • Laser Jitter • Transport Slippage • TRUE SYSTEM SPATIAL RESOLUTION Not JUST LASER SPOT SIZE • ASTM Classification • Method of Applying Software • Software Quantitative Values • Storage and Retrieval of Software Values • Ability to Re-Process Image Files W/O Re-shot • Method of Determining Correct Exposure
A NEW AGE
We Have Entered A New Age of More Demanding Customer Requirements.
CR and Digital RT Are a Part of Those Requirements
Thank You
Fujifilm NDT Systems