Abstract: A method of radiographic inspection of an object includes the steps of: providing a radiation source and a radiation detector located on opposite sides of the object; positioning the radiation detector to receive radiation transmitted through the object from the radiation source; radiographically imaging an region of interest of the object with the radiation source and the radiation detector, using an set of initial imaging parameters, to produce a test image; obtaining at least one quality measurement of the test image; comparing the quality measurement to predetermined image quality limits; and in response to the quality measurement exceeding the predetermined image quality limits, changing at least one of the initial imaging parameters to generate a new set of image parameters. The process may be repeated iteratively until a final set of imaging parameters is obtained.

Abstract: A method of computed tomographic inspection which uses a Euclidian reference ply model having a corresponding Non-Euclidian ply model which includes reference model plies to extract intensity data from Euclidian slice data (typically having a pixel format) derived from multiple slice X-ray scans using an X-ray scanning system such as the CT system. The multiple slice data is analyzed to determine intensity values for points corresponding to a subject ply of a corresponding reference model ply. The reference model may be a predetermined model such as a mathematically described CAD model file or based on such a CAD model. A preferred method of the present invention includes a transformation of the CAD model data to register the CAD model data to multiple slice data of a standardized object to generate the reference model. Intensity values preferably gray scale pixel values are assigned to points on the reference ply model from the slice data and displayed as a Non-Euclidian image on a monitor.

Abstract: An X-ray inspection system for manually or automatically performing digital fluoroscopy inspections and/or computed tomography inspections by X-ray examination of manufactured parts incorporates a computer system which automatically analyzes the inspected parts for flaws. The system includes apparatus for automatically positioning the parts in an X-ray machine for obtaining fluoroscopy and tomography views of the part and for acquiring data from the inspections at production rates. The system automatically identifies the location of rejectable flaws in the parts during the fluoroscopy scanning and subsequently identifies those locations for obtaining tomography scans, if the identified flaw location is questionable. The system can automatically reject parts containing flaws identified during the fluoroscopy inspections. This system operates in a real-time environment by providing analysis of one part while a subsequent part is being subjected to X-ray examination.