Abstract: A system for detecting missing or crossed cords in cord reinforced tire fabric. The entire width of the fabric as it is being made is scanned by a highly collimated X-ray source and a sensor. A change in the amount of X-ray radiation penetrating the fabric indicates the presence of the cords. A counter which counts at a fixed rate is gated on during the time that a cord's presence is detected. The total count in a small section of the fabric, called a slice, is proportional to the number of strands in the slice. Since the counting rate is relatively high with respect to the scan time, the system can easily detect missing or overlapping cords.