Abstract: Inspection systems with rho-theata x-ray source motion for inspection of populated printed circuit boards and the like. The inspection systems include a transport system for transporting articles to be inspected into and out of the inspection system. An x-ray source is mounted on a first radial translation system adjacent one side of the article to be inspected for translation along an axis parallel to the article to be inspected. The first translation system is rotatably mounted about an axis perpendicular to the article to be inspected so that the x-ray source may be positioned and moved anywhere within an area by proper coordination of the angle of rotation of the rotary transport system and the translational position of the first translational system. The exemplary embodiment disclosed also includes a second translational system supported on the first translational system for movement of the x-ray source in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary transport system.