Ten (10) Purchase Considerations
When Shopping for an
X-Ray Inspection System

Just what is really necessary, practical and useful; when purchasing an x-ray inspection system?

1		Why X-Ray?: X-Ray inspection provides quality assurance capabilities not found in alternative test technologies. This is due to the lack of test access inherent in new SMT package technologies (eg. BGA, CSP, Flip-Chip, etc.). Therefore, having x-ray inspection has become a compelling competitive advantage.

2		X-Ray Tube Resolution: Nanofocus spot size rapidly grows to microfocus size as the power is increased to penetrate materials of relative density and/or thickness. In addition, systems are nearly equal in resolution below 40X magnification. Therefore, the extra cost of a nanofocus x-ray source is not necessary or even practical in many inspection applications.

3		Sample Rotation: An off axis viewing angle between 0 to 40 degrees is ideal to reveal electrical solder connection shape, size faults, etc. This is especially important with double-sided boards, where top and bottom side components may obscure clear viewing of object details.

4		Magnification vs. Field-of-View (FOV): The goal should be to obtain a good balance between sufficient magnification (inspection detail) and sufficient FOV (to view as much of the inspection area at one time to facilitate fast inspection).

5		X-Ray Tube: The most expensive component of nearly all x-ray inspection systems. Therefore, proper system operation, service and warrantee are extremely important.

6		X-Ray Tubes (open vs. sealed): There are basically two types by design “sealed” and “open”:

		Sealed-Tube Design: A “sealed-tube x-ray source” (no-maintenance tube) is one in which the interior components are sealed in a vacuum. A sealed-tube can be placed in stand-by on mode and used immediately upon system startup. Sealed-tubes are notable for long service life. However, if a sealed-tube fails it must be returned to the factory for repairs (if repairable) or replaced.

		Open-Tube Design: An “open-tube x-ray source” requires a vacuum to be created by performing a two-stage pumping process every time the system is switched on. Even in stand-by these systems require some warm-up time before use. The “open-tube x-ray source” filaments and targets can be replaced on site, but as a rule they require such servicing several times more often than sealed-tubes.

7		Image Processing Software: For all x-ray systems, image processing software has a direct impact on speed, accuracy and repeatable analysis results. Typical software packages include basic image quality enhancement tools such as: image averaging and visual improvement filters. By way of this collective “image processing,” visual detail is improved thereby making it easier for an operator to quickly evaluate overall quality and identify subtle anomalies. Other software tools such as data collection, measurement and analysis reporting tools provide interactive diagnostics that further isolate, quantify and document faults for corrective action.

8		X-Ray Systems & Software Usefulness: What the end-user needs and will use are the minimal tools necessary to get the job done quickly, easily and efficiently,” regardless of the application. Some features are not essentially useful or considered necessary, but can increase unit cost considerably.

9		How are Most X-Ray Systems Being Used Today? In short: pop in a board; fly it around under live x-rays using a large field-of-view to see as much of the board as possible at one time. Yes, even many of the “fully-automated” systems costing upwards of $250K+ are being used in this way — which brings us to the “value” proposition.

10		Value: Buyers have become educated frugal shoppers more than ever before. This is not as much of a philosophical shift as it is a bottom-line driven requirement to remain competitively and economically efficient. In short, buy what you need and what you will actually use for the right price while being mindful of operational simplicity to facilitate ease-of-use and long-term low-cost ownership. Formula: Application relevance (solution) + performance (overall application usefulness) vs. cost (+ROI/Life-cycle usefulness) = Value.

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Ten (10) Purchase Considerations When Shopping for an X-Ray Inspection System

Ten (10) Purchase Considerations
When Shopping for an
X-Ray Inspection System