The Magazine of Industrial X-Ray
COMET SPIRIT
COMET COMMITMENT
Artistic x-rays
#1 | 2013
Customer solutions through partnership
CONTENTS
COMET SPIRIT 04 In discussions with COMET: “Innovation is a way of safeguarding our future.” COMET INSIDE 08 Security Inspection: Screening systems must be ready to go anywhere. COMET INSIDE NDT: CT know-how in practice for research and testing.
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COMET INSIDE 12 Thickness gauging: Innovative solutions through a long-standing partnership. COMET INSIDE Sorting: Recycling in its purest form.
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COMET PRODUCTS & NEWS 16 XRS modules: Customized x-ray sources XRS-600, XRS-75 and XRS 225 VF. COMET COMMITMENT X-Ray artist Nick Veasey: The inner beauty of things.
The Magazine of Industrial X-Ray
COMET SPIRIT
COMET COMMITMENT
Artistic x-rays
#1 | 2013
Customer solutions through partnership
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COMET connected Our customer magazine “X-Ray insight” is also available for download as pdf on our website: www.comet-xray.com
Questions, feedback, suggestions? Please write us: magazine@comet-xray.com
Imprint Issuer: COMET AG, Flamatt (Switzerland). Project management: Flavia Nicolai, VP Business&Marketing Communications Industrial X-Ray. Production and editing: Denon Publizistik AG, Rapperswil-Jona (Switzerland). Photos: Nick Veasey (cover, pages 18 and 19), Gaëtan Bally (pages 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 20), American Science and Engineering Inc. © 2012 (pages 8 and 9), Empa (pages 10 and 11), IMS Messsysteme GmbH (pages 12 and 13), istockphotos (pages 14 and 15), Markus Beyeler (pages 16 and 17). Translation and proofreading: Apostroph AG, Lucerne (Switzerland). Lithography: Küenzi & Partner/mediacheck, Langnau a. A. (Switzerland). Printed by: Rub Media AG, Wabern (Switzerland). Print run: 1000 copies.
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EDITORIAL
Dear reader,
Charles Flükiger, President Industrial X-Ray & e-beam Technologies.
Comprehension, curiosity and inspiration are three qualities we foster at COMET Industrial X-Ray – and one key requirement for each of these factors is dialog. Only by engaging in discussion with you, our customers, can we comprehend the challenges you are faced with in everyday life, and your processes. Likewise, we can only ask you the right questions with a view to offering you the best possible support if we are curious. Finally, the inspiration to develop innovative new solutions for you is only possible through close cooperation with our dedicated employees. We intend to maintain and reinforce this dialog in future. It therefore gives me great pleasure to introduce the first issue of our customer magazine “X-Ray insight”, which will give you key insider knowledge on COMET. In particular, dialog means letting our customers do the talking – especially in “X-Ray insight”. In this first issue, you can find out more about the markets thickness gauging, security and sorting. This shows just how broad the range of x-ray applications is. We also take a look behind the scenes at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), who run a competence center for industrial x-rays and CT. Another key intention of “X-Ray insight” is to make you part of the concepts, working life and commitment seen every day at COMET Industrial X-Ray. On page 4 you will find an interview highlighting what drives us, what innovation means to us and how this benefits you as our customer. You can also find more information on selected products on pages 16 and 17. Constructive criticism is helpful and praise makes our job worthwhile: that goes for everyday working life and this magazine in particular. We therefore look forward to receiving any feedback you may have on this first issue of “X-Ray insight”, whether by e-mail or in person. I hope I have aroused your interest in the new “X-Ray insight” magazine and wish you an inspiring read!
Charles Flükiger 03
COMET SPIRIT
Charles Flükiger (left) and Stephan Haferl: Customer orientation is an integral part of the COMET spirit – and a team effort on all counts.
In discussions with COMET
“Innovation is a way of safeguarding our future“ Regular dialog with customers, a focus on fulfilling individual requirements and development of the technology range: this is the heart of the COMET spirit. We speak to Charles Flükiger, President of Industrial X-Ray & e-beam Technologies, and Stephan Haferl, General Manager of Industrial X-Ray.
How would you define an innovation? Stephan Haferl: An innovation is a development with the potential to advance people or society in leaps and bounds, such as the discovery of the light bulb. Another modern example is the way our lifestyle has been changed by mobile communication – and will continue to be 04
changed in future. In my opinion, innovation and x-rays go hand in hand – after all, x-ray technology allows us to see what is hidden beneath the surface. X-rays give us non-destructive access to areas that would otherwise remain invisible to the naked eye. Technology and products have changed considerably over the past 100 years, continuously and rapidly in many
COMET SPIRIT
cases, and that’s an indicator of continual innovation. Who decides whether something is an innovation? Charles Flükiger: The market decides – an innovation must be perceived as such by the customer. Our customers must be able to say that they haven’t seen anything like it before, or that the new product gives them real added value and helps them to carry out their work much more effectively. Although x-ray technology is already a century old, it is our goal to meet these challenges. Haferl: The best examples of this are our 600 and 800 kV ‘high energy’ x-ray sources. These are market innovations which open up new opportunities for us. Flükiger: Another example is found in the ‘high power’ segment, where customers can x-ray twice the number of test objects per unit of time thanks to doubled output levels. With precise radiographic sharpness, they can also identify significantly more material faults than before. This is not continuous improvement; it is a tangible and significant leap forward. What do you mean by a “significant leap”? Flükiger: The rule of thumb in the industry is that output can be increased by 50 kV every five years, so the next logical step up from a 450 kV tube would be one with an output of 500 kV. Despite this, we have
challenged the rule by developing an 800 kV high-energy source and commercial-
“We are addressing the trend towards increasingly complex components, some of which have a 600 kV high-energy x-ray source.” Stephan Haferl ized one with an output of 600 kV. As a result, our customers are able to x-ray complex objects such as entire product pallets or turbine engines and carry out spatial 3D imaging in the testing process in combination with computed tomography. They can also use x-ray sources as a substitute for isotopes, a method that has disadvantages in handling and disposal. Do big gambles always pay off, or do you sometimes have to be satisfied with small advances? Haferl: Big gambles do not always pay off and cannot be planned for – but nothing ventured, nothing gained! Our ultimate goal is to create sustainable benefits for customers through our services. A significant part of our everyday work therefore involves maintaining our existing services and continuously developing our product
More about COMET COMET Industrial X-Ray develops and manufactures metal/ceramic x-ray sources, and the related modules, for the nondestructive examination of materials and components in the automotive, aviation pipeline and steel industries, and also for the stationary and mobile inspection of checkedin luggage and cargo at airports and borders. COMET is constantly working to improve and simplify x-ray technology and is a trusted engineering partner to well-known companies. COMET’s innovative technology has become the basis for an unprecedented combination of performance and compactness that offers customers a new realm of possibilities in the development of their end systems. Learn more: www.comet-xray.com
The multi-faceted innovation process would be impossible without highly motivated employees.
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COMET SPIRIT
Stephan Haferl: “Our goal is to deliver quality first. We are working on solutions that make our customers successful and prepare them for the future in the best possible way.”
range. After all, we must not lose sight of the fact that we have a wide range of products with high quality standards that also require our attention. Innovations are a way of safeguarding our future. How do you ensure COMET innovations are popular on the market and meet customer requirements? Haferl: We are in close contact with our customers and we are always keen to hear from them on a regular basis. Our team is usually on hand when we hold discussions at customer companies. Aside from the needs our customers tell us about, we pay attention to wishes they express indi-
“We are playing an active part in shaping the future of x-ray technology and demonstrating where it will be used in 10 years.“ Charles Flükiger rectly so that we can fully understand how to help them improve their processes and products even further. Flükiger: Alongside this focus on marketoriented innovations, we have the internal goal of testing our boundaries and exploring new areas. We want to play an active part in shaping the future of x-ray technology and demonstrating how and where it will be used in 10 to 20 years’ time. With 06
this in mind, we carefully monitor the big trends in various industrial segments and areas of application and use these to develop the products of tomorrow. Trends such as the miniaturization of complex structures, efficient and safe processes, the resource-efficient use of materials and 3D digital inline testing methods already form part of our current thought and development processes. Haferl: We want to set benchmarks and our goal is to deliver ‘quality first’ at all times. If a new area of application opens up, we want to be the first solution provider or cooperation partner ready to break new ground for the customer. We develop solutions that make our customers successful and prepare them for the future in the best possible way. Would you agree that innovation only blooms under the right conditions? Flükiger: That’s true, the innovation process is extremely multi-faceted and impossible to master without highly motivated employees. We are absolutely convinced that innovation requires the right mix of creative freedom for employees and clearly defined processes – plus that little bit of luck from time to time. We support the entire process by deliberately putting together teams with a balance of skills, ages and cultural backgrounds. Different ways of thinking and working, the willingness to take risks and experience – these aspects complement each other and produce exceptional results that homogeneous teams simply cannot achieve. The most important point is that an innovation
COMET SPIRIT
Charles Flükiger: “Innovation demands the right mix of creative freedom for employees and clearly defined processes.”
not only requires good ideas, but also people who can implement them. Experience has shown that one person rarely has both abilities in equal measure. How does Industrial X-Ray foster this culture? Haferl: The management team is responsible for creating the conditions and innovation philosophy within the company. Innovations are not created overnight, they can take months or even years. Researchers often find themselves on a rollercoaster of emotions. Sometimes advances are made in leaps and bounds, other times things grind to a complete halt. Sometimes researchers also have to make do with troubleshooting activities from our everyday work. This is still valuable, though, and may help us to make the next big step in another area. Flükiger: It is critical, therefore, that R&D strategy remains stable over the long term. What’s next for Industrial X-Ray? Haferl: Trends continue to move towards energy efficiency and resource-efficient production. This means using fewer materials, and different ones in some cases. X-ray is the standout base technology for the environmentally friendly designs of the future. We are opening doors in this area as we can see inside materials without destroying them. The best example of this is in Formula 1, where a racing car may be five times more powerful than a normal car while only being one-third the weight. The boundaries can only be
pushed thanks to the absolute reliability of the materials used – everything is checked 100%. In future, the same will apply to many areas of our society. Flükiger: In imaging technology, there is a clear trend towards improved image resolution at even higher speeds. The key words here are inline digital, 3D and automatic fault detection. However, we also
“When talking to customers, we have a keen ear for the desires they express indirectly.” Stephan Haferl believe that x-ray technology will be of increasing importance in other fields of application, including thickness measurements, checking objects for dimensional accuracy, food inspection and sorting. Which products will support these trends? Flükiger: Intelligent x-ray sources that work inline and enable highly efficient processes at customer companies in an environmentally friendly manner are required. We are convinced that the full spectrum of power outputs from 0 up to 1000 kV will be needed. Alongside the tendency towards lighter and thinner materials, there is also the trend towards xraying objects of increasing size, as in cargo applications. 07
COMET INSIDE
Security Inspection
Screening systems must be ready to go anywhere Top image quality, quick reaction times and continual change are part of the daily routine at American Science and Engineering, Inc. (AS&E), a world-leading manufacturer of cargo, parcel and personnel screening systems. Innovative and exible partners are of great importance to the US-based company, both during development and in the supply chain.
The Z Backscatter Van is the most maneuverable, versatile, and successful cargo and vehicle screening system on the market.
COMET INSIDE
Making effective highthroughput screening possible, the AS&E systems scan cars, trucks, vans, and their cargo to reveal explosives, drugs, alcohol, and other contraband. Its Z Backscatter imaging provides photo-like images from the top and sides simultaneously.
Safety is one of the basic needs in our society. The screening of baggage and passengers is essential to ensure safe travel for millions of people. Trucks are thoroughly x-rayed at customs checkpoints to detect smuggled goods. As mobile vans are driven past parked vehicles, the results of the screening are analyzed in real time on monitors inside. American Science and Engineering, Inc. (AS&E) from the USA is just one of the customers that places its trust in COMET x-ray sources to manufacture x-ray equipment for screening baggage and passengers at international airports, customs authorities, ports, government agencies and ministries in major countries. Established cooperation with the COMET engineering team “We are constantly faced with new challenges from our customers,” says Jim Lafferty, Vice President of Quality and Operations Engineering at AS&E. “Our screening systems are used in places that can be subjected to extraordinary environmental influences.” Customers have strict demands when it comes to quality and safety – not only in terms of the reliability of our products, improved image quality and customized features and options, but also the response and delivery times. “If a government issues new safety directives, then everything has to move quickly,” emphasizes Jim Lafferty. Timeto-market cycles are continually being shortened, so AS&E must depend on suppliers who offer fast reaction times and flexibility at the development stage and in supply chain processes. No wonder Jim Lafferty is delighted that COMET was able to help in optimizing the delivery of x-ray tubes through the kanban system for justin-time production at AS&E. “When we
need new x-ray sources, they are here in next to no time.” “We have enjoyed an extremely strong partnership with COMET for many years,” reveals Jim Lafferty. “We always felt that the COMET engineering team was ready and able to provide solutions to our problems. Whatever we needed in terms of technical support, they always supplied the perfect solution.” Aside from x-ray components used in highprecision scanners for freight and shipping containers, AS&E also places its trust in COMET products for one of its unique selling points – namely the 225 kV x-ray source installed in the Z Backscatter Van (ZBV). Mobile systems of this type – used for detecting car bombs and other anti-terrorism operations – are only available from AS&E. At the start of October 2012, AS&E announced the receipt of an IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery/ Indefinite Quantity) Contract for SmartCheck® Next Generation Advanced Imaging Technology from the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Thanks to its innovative technology, the SmartCheck Personnel Screening System is able to do more than a metal detector: it locates both metallic and non-metallic objects, meaning drugs and plastic or liquid explosives are detected in addition to guns and knives. An x-ray source from COMET is an important element in the SmartCheck System. “We sat down with the COMET team very early in the development process and told them what we wanted. COMET then enhanced one of their existing products and tailored it perfectly to the requirements of our new personnel screening system.” As part of this contract, AS&E received its first delivery order for three SmartCheck systems to be tested at TSA facilities.
More about AS&E American Science and Engineering Inc. (AS&E) is a world-leading supplier of innovative x-ray inspection systems with over 50 years’ experience in developing advanced xray security systems. The company’s technologies offer superior x-ray threat detection. AS&E’s complete range of products includes cargo inspection systems for port and border security, baggage screening systems for facility and aviation security, and personnel and passenger screening systems. AS&E systems protect highthreat facilities and help combat terrorism, trade fraud, drug smuggling, weapon smuggling, illegal immigration and people smuggling. Its headquarters are in Billerica, MA (USA). Learn more: www.as-e.com
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COMET INSIDE
NDT (non-destructive testing)
CT know-how in practice for research and testing Industrial computer tomography (CT) is much more than a method for non-destructive material testing, as a look behind the scenes at the Empa research institute confirms. Trends are clearly moving towards micro-CT and CT testing for complex and high-density components.
Many interesting areas of application have opened up as a result of modern, high-performance computers and the possibility of 3D image processing for data collected using computer tomography. The same can be said for Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, which is closely connected to the Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology in Zurich (ETHZ) and Lausanne (EPFL). Aside from non-destructive Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, sadipscing testing, Empa primarily uses industrial CT elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmodsystems for dimensional measurements, tempor invidunt ut labore et est Lorem the shape of complex compocapturing ipsum dolor sit amet. nents, analyzing the structure of materials and examining changes of state. Empa not only carries out CT services and testing orders for industrial customers, but also focuses on applied research – such as 10
that carried out by Alexander Flisch, CT Test Engineer in the Electronics/Metrology/ Reliability department. Empa uses a wide range of x-ray CT systems for both research and testing orders, some of which are equipped with two 450 kV high-energy x-ray sources from COMET. The results and findings are used to optimize products and processes by customers in the foundry industry (aluminum and steel) as well as the plastics technology, automotive, electrical engineering and electronics, medical technology and aerospace industries. CT diversity: NDT, specimen tests and reverse engineering Some of these customers – mainly companies in the electronics industry that produce microcomponents – are members of the Empa Reliability Centre. “We examine
Alexander Flisch from the Electronics/Metrology/Reliability department at Empa uses four CT systems, including this 2D CT system with a 450 kV x-ray tube.
COMET INSIDE
How does discharging alter the internal structure of a battery? Computer tomography can explain changes within a test object when in use.
the reliability and safety of products with the help of CT and carry out research to find the causes of defective components or electronic malfunctions,” explains Alexander Flisch. “After finding the cause, such as defective soldering points or material faults, the production process or material composition can be optimized accordingly.” In addition to non-destructive testing, Empa is regularly consulted regarding specimen tests for cast parts. “Thanks to the detailed, high-resolution 3D images, we can compare actual and target values precisely,” explains the researcher. “Often we’re dealing with aluminum and injection molded parts produced in large quantities. Any deviations would quickly result in a lot of scrap parts during production, so it is extremely important to measure the accuracy of the first test specimen – the most effective way being the use of CT as measuring technology.” Reverse engineering is another application where CT is used. In one case, a manufacturer of racing engines for motorbikes had a second-hand engine but no design drawings for the successful model. Alexander Flisch first made a CT analysis of the old engine. The collected CT data (external and internal geometry) was then imported into a CAD system to develop the engine, after which an exact 3D cast of the engine was created in layers. The project achieved the desired success – the manufacturer’s motorbikes came out on top in several World Cup races.
Empa is also working continually on a wide range of research projects. Among others, 2013 has started with a new project dedicated to the development of new plastic composites. In this project, an analysis is made of the fiber distribution of plastic composites and how this affects the material properties. “CT is a very important instrument in this structural analysis,” says Alexander Flisch. Industrial CT has potential for the future Empa has been using industrial computer tomography devices for over 20 years. Over the past few years, two clear trends have become apparent. “On the one hand, there is a trend towards ever smaller structures. For example, we use micro-CT with an extremely high resolution when testing electronic microcomponents and analyzing the structure of materials and fiber composites. There is huge demand for these services at the moment. The call for nano-CT is already becoming apparent in some areas. Secondly, manufacturers are always looking to test bigger and more complex components, such as turbine blades and large-scale cast steel parts. We also need high-energy x-ray sources for these applications.” Alexander Flisch is convinced that computer tomography will be used more frequently for inline testing in the future. “At the moment, CT is a relatively time-consuming process. If it becomes possible to carry out CT testing faster without image quality suffering, then more doors will open.”
More about Empa The Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) is an interdisciplinary research and services institution for material sciences and technology development. Empa‘s research and development activities, which are focused on the requirements of industry and the needs of society, combine application-oriented research with its practical implementation while linking science to industry and society. The Electronics/Metrology/Reliability department has extensive expertise in the field and is equipped with modern, high-performance equipment for monitoring, investigating and characterizing materials, devices and systems. It also develops measurement and test procedures on a nanoscopic, microscopic and macroscopic scale. Learn more: www.empa.ch
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COMET INSIDE
Thickness gauging
Innovative solutions through a long-standing partnership Thanks to innovative x-ray sources, x-ray technology in thickness gauging is becoming an ever more attractive alternative to isotopes. For many years, IMS Messsysteme GmbH has relied on COMET x-ray tubes for numerous applications in the steel, aluminum and metal industries. With temperatures of 1,000 degrees, stubborn dirt and large production volumes, production conditions in steel or aluminum rolling mills are extremely demanding. Moreover, the increased strength and Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, sadipscing improved forming characteristics of induselitr, sed diam nonumy eirmodtrial materials have led to the production tempor invidunt ut labore et est of Lorem ever thinner products – and thus to the ipsum dolor sit amet. need for greater accuracy and diminishing dimensional tolerances. The demands on modern, high-technology measurement systems for inline production are therefore extremely high: not 12
only do they have to withstand intense heat and deliver exact precision, they must also ensure maximum stability, reliability and availability. “A production line at a standstill quickly generates high downtime costs,” says Rainer Fackert, Managing Director of IMS Messsysteme GmbH in Heiligenhaus, Germany. “In a high-speed production process, an assembly line runs at 20 meters per second. Our customers demand perfect quality and cannot afford any downtimes. That’s why we are not prepared to compromise when it comes to choosing our suppliers.”
COMET INSIDE
For many years, IMS Messsysteme GmbH has been one of the leading manufacturers of multi-functional x-ray and isotopebased measurement systems for the metal, aluminum and steel industries. As the Managing Director emphasizes, extensive experience gives IMS a competitive advantage. “We are constantly working to enhance our systems. We enjoy a good reputation as a reliable partner for our customers, guarantee high quality standards and focus on stable partnerships with leading firms in the sector. Among other things, the technical evaluation of our systems has improved thanks to ’COMET Inside’.” Positive reaction to 600 kV high-energy x-ray source The partnership with COMET began in the mid-1990s. “We wanted to increase the service life of our systems, so we looked for a way of replacing fragile glass x-ray tubes with more robust metal and ceramic tubes. We chose COMET – a decision that has been absolutely justified,” says Rainer Fackert. He is convinced that x-ray technology is an attractive alternative to isotopes and sees its potential for growth. The reaction of IMS to the development of an innovative 600 kV high-energy x-ray source by COMET was accordingly positive. “We can now replace isotopes in new applications, such as pipeline inspections. Although x-ray systems are more expensive than isotopes, they have the advantage that the tubes are easier to produce.
Dose stability can be improved, plus they are safer, more environmentally friendly and easier to dispose of. X-ray sources can also be switched off when not in use.” The partnership between the two companies has grown closer and evolved over the past 20 years. “We are a well-coordinated team and trust each other implicitly. In particular, we value the continuity in customer support that COMET offers,” reveals Rainer Fackert. “Our partnership means reliable production processes for our customers.” Challenges are tackled together IMS also relies on this established, close partnership in its manufacturing offensive in the USA, where it is setting up a company to produce simple measuring systems. The goal is to increase the company’s market share for measuring systems in the low-energy sector significantly (IMS already dominates the sector in high-energy devices). One important element in this market expansion will be an innovative, maintenance-free x-ray source: based on a 75 kV x-ray source, this was developed in accordance with COMET’s Customer Solution Engineering approach. “We are both breaking new ground here and will meet the challenge together,” confirms Rainer Fackert. “We stated what we needed for the product at the engineering meetings and we were surprised by COMET’s creative new approach, which meets our needs extremely well.”
Temperatures of 1,000 degrees: measuring systems in steel rolling mills must meet the highest quality standards despite extreme production conditions.
More about IMS Messsysteme GmbH IMS Messsysteme GmbH was founded in 1980. Based in Heiligenhaus (near the German city of Düsseldorf), the company has more than 350 employees across five continents. In addition to market expansion in the USA (see main text), the company continues to focus on key markets in China, India and the booming Korean market, all of which are driving the demand for steel. There are some 3,000 steelworks in China which are responsible for half the global production of crude steel. IMS is the market leader in Asia. Learn more: www.ims-gmbh.de
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COMET INSIDE
Sorting
Recycling in its purest form Sorting is a growth market. Recycling companies are increasingly relying on x-ray technology to sort valuable materials from those of lesser value efficiently. Above all, sensor-based sorting systems help to separate metals and plastics precisely.
The recycling industry is booming, and not just because of the growing mountains of waste produced by our consumer society. There are many other reasons why recycling has become a growth market, including greater environmental awareness, the productive use of resources, energy-saving and resourceefficient production, rising raw material prices linked to material shortages, high demand for precious and high-purity secondary raw materials and more stringent
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official guidelines and environmental protection regulations. The recycling industry stands at the very start of the value chain. “Our goal is to sort the wheat from the chaff, or in our case the valuable materials from those of lesser value,” says Hansueli Bühlmann, co-owner of Bühlmann Recycling AG in Switzerland alongside Martin Ritschard. “It is important that we sort materials precisely, as we can only resell them on the market if they are of the very highest purity.”
COMET INSIDE
Whether for sorting plastic and iron or preliminary sorting in mining – x-ray technology has great potential in the sorting market.
In addition to stationary devices, Bühlmann uses portable x-ray machines in his work. When purchasing recycling materials, for example, these enable him quickly to check whether the metal alloy content corresponds to the information from the seller – and to decide whether the materials are worth buying. Using x-ray technology to sort metals and plastics… Bühlmann relies on innovative and efficient systems to automate sorting processes at his recycling centers in French-speaking Switzerland. “For us, the throughput is all-important,” he reveals. High-tech systems using different sensorbased technologies are playing an important role in the sustainable and responsible handling of resources. This applies especially to a range of metals – for example, heavy metals and aluminum need to be sorted even more accurately when processing domestic waste, electrical waste or scrapped cars. Thanks to x-ray technology, different alloys such as copper, iron, zinc, stainless steel, brass and aluminum can be detected more precisely. Bühlmann emphasizes the potential of x-ray technology in the sorting business. He is currently looking into purchasing a new system that will help to analyze and sort a variety of plastic types, and will be deployed wherever infrared technology reaches its limitations. “Being able to identify and sort several plastic types in one run – not just one type – is important,” explains Bühlmann. Different x-ray detectors, each of which can be set to detect a specific material composition, make this possible. …and for mining precious stones Mining is another area of application where x-ray technology is used. In fact,
x-rays can answer the industry’s biggest question with absolute certainty: Is it worth crushing a rock into smaller pieces to find the precious metal or precious stones inside? It goes without saying that the sorting systems used in recycling centers and mines are subjected to tough environmental conditions – particularly dirt and dust. Despite this, to achieve the required levels of quality and efficiency they have to work perfectly, without any downtimes and at high capacity. It is thus critical that the materials and components are reliable, durable and maintenance-free – and that applies in particular to the x-ray sources. The machines also have to be easy to operate. “These qualities allow us to achieve rapid, reliable output – which is the defining factor in the recycling industry,” emphasizes Bühlmann.
More about Bühlmann Recycling Bühlmann Recycling AG and its subsidiary mht recycling are among the most innovative recycling companies in Switzerland. Under the ownership of Hansueli Bühlmann and Martin Ritschard, the family-run company has continually invested in machinery and infrastructure over the past few years. As a result, the company now has one of the most innovative and state-of-the art systems anywhere in Switzerland; and in turn, the company is making a name for itself on the international stage. Foundries from all over the world are placing their trust in Bühlmann Recycling AG as producers of a wide range of secondary raw materials.
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COMET PRODUCTS & NEWS
XRS modules
Customized x-ray sources COMET designs and manufactures complete x-ray sources in custom configurations. We offer complete solutions with tubes ranging from 75kV to 600kV, a perfectly matched generator, cables, cooler and hoses. XRS-600 for highest penetration High-density materials require high kV to penetrate the material and enough dose to obtain the necessary contrast for failure detection. Here COMET’s x-ray tube MXR600HP/11 ist the best available solution on the market. A small focal spot with high dose combined with the high voltage of 600 kV. Typical application: Inspection of turbine blades The quality specifications set for turbine blades and stators are very demanding. This applies not only for usage in the aviation industry but for power-plant operation as well. At the same time, the complexity of turbine blades is being driven ahead due to factors involving weight reduction and optimizing efficiency. Detecting incompletenesses resulting from the casting process, measuring wall thicknesses or controlling the position of cooling bores are typical tasks for x-ray inspection during production. Learn more about XRS-600: www.comet-xray.com/XRS-600
Features and benefits – Stepless control of kV and mA – Easy to install, easy to operate – Suitable for factory floor application – Higher penetration, shorter exposure times – Higher resolution by using HP technology – Arc resistant design increases efficiency – Arc suppression minimizes the number of restarts
Assortment XRS-75 Key customer benefit Great for applications which require high power at low tube voltage. Typical applications XRS-75 – Non-destructive testing: Composite materials and light metal – Food inspection: Detection of metal, bones, contamination – Sorting: Paper, glass, light metals, light ores and gemstones – Therapy: Skin cancer Learn more about XRS-75: www.comet-xray.com/XRS-75 16
COMET PRODUCTS & NEWS
GLOBAL X-RAY-EVENTS 2013 Mar 26-28 Russian Society for NDT and Technical Diagnostic – RSNTTD Moscow, Russia Apr 09-11 Aerospace Testing 2013 Hamburg, Germany May 6–8 DGZfP-Jahrestagung Dresden, Germany
XRS-225 VF x-ray source May 13–14 NDT of Composites Washington, USA May 14–18 Control 2013 Stuttgart, Germany Jul 22–24 Digital Imaging XVI, Foxwoods Digital Conference Mashantucket/Conn., USA Oct 30–Nov 1 Quality Control Show Shanghai, China Nov 4–7 Fall Conference 2013, ASNT Las Vegas, USA Nov 13–15 4th international Symposium on NDT in Aerospace Augsburg, Germany
Improved radiographic sharpness and flexibility As materials continue to become ever lighter and more complex, sustained cost pressure also means that manufacturers have to sort out defective components very early in the production process. COMET’s response to these trends and the corresponding rise in customer demands has been to develop the innovative XRS-225 VF x-ray source. There is no other source with sealed metal/ceramic tubes and comparable functionality on the market. The key innovative features of Variofocus are continuous adjustment of the focal spot (between 0.25 mm and 0.8 mm) and the circular, homogeneous spot configuration with enhanced performance. The circular focal spot has the advantage of uniform resolution in all directions. The use of x-ray tubes with variable focal spot adjustment demands the extremely precise technical synchronization of all components in the x-ray source. This prompted the development of a new type of generator that enables the focal spot to be set and automatically adjusts the power according to the focal spot size.
Features – Focal spot adaptable to aplication – High stable kV with low ripple – PC-controlled via RS-232 – Integrated I/O for external safety signals – Four pre-set focal spot sizes optimized according to power Customer benefits – Higher throughput than micro-focus sources – Focal spot same resolution in all directions – Low maintenance thanks to sealed tube technology Typical applications – 2D imaging with FP – Computer tomography – Film replacement – High resolution at medium magnification
Learn more about XRS-225VF: www.comet-xray.com/XRS-225VF 17
COMET COMMITMENT
Nick Veasey
The inner beauty of things In a world dominated by superficiality, where we are bombarded by beauty ideals from advertising hoardings and where looks are everything, Nick Veasey dares to take a deeper look at the objects around us. In his work, the British artist and photographer scratches beneath the surface to show us the true nature of things.
A Boeing 777, a bus, a Mini Cooper, iPods, pens, watches, flowers and plants – the central objects in Nick Veasey’s artwork don’t seem particularly exciting on the surface. The way in which they are presented in the artist’s images, however, is nothing short of spectacular. After all, the Briton does not work with a normal camera – his tool of choice is an industrial x-ray source. His ‘studio’ is a room in a decommissioned military facility just outside London with walls clad completely in concrete and lead. In these unusual surroundings, Nick Veasey creates something extraordinary: the surface of everyday objects becomes transparent and their secret inner workings are laid bare. Nick Veasey, x-ray artist
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The artist himself never fails to be fascinated by the discovery of new things and the possibilities offered by x-ray technology. “Every image is a surprise to me too,” he comments. The x-ray images reveal objects in their full glory – exactly as they are actually made. “I love looking out at the world from the inside. Even as a child I would turn over branches and stones to see if any insects were underneath.” X-ray sources elevated his inquisitive na-
ture into the professional realm, with the result of new and ever more fascinating images. “Ideal conditions in which to explore my curiosity and passion to the full” In 2010, he reached a point where his xray tubes were too limited to achieve the performance and output he was looking for. Fortunately, COMET was on hand to help. “I was already aware of the excellent reputation of COMET x-ray sources,” says the artist. With a 225 kV XRS x-ray source, COMET was proud to support the unique artistic work of Nick Veasey. “We are linked by a passion for x-rays. The COMET team has shown me the range of possibilities offered by the new units.” Veasey can now create images that are more precise and show the inner workings and beauty of objects in much greater detail. “I’ve finally established the ideal conditions in which to explore my curiosity and passion to the full.” For technical reasons, his images are always as big as the object itself. This means that Veasey often has to split up the image into several parts, as in the case of his Mini, bus and Boeing 777 (the ‘people’ in
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Under the surface of a Boeing 777, a computer mouse, a Mini Cooper and flowers – Nick Veasey presents everyday objects in a whole new dimension.
the images are actually a single skeleton repositioned multiple times). Hundreds of individual photos are then reduced in size on a computer before being painstakingly assembled into a full-scale image. Exhibitions in renowned art galleries Nick Veasey’s work has been exhibited in renowned art galleries such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Tai-
pei. However, his favorite photo remains a mystery. “My favorite project is always the next one – I’m most interested in what lies ahead, not what I have already created.” Nick Veasey sees himself as a man on a mission: his goal is to create a major legacy for x-ray images in order to show people the beauty of the world in which we live. “I think we have all become a little too distracted to notice that beauty,” he concludes. 19
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