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November 2015
AFRICAN FUSION
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A resolution calculation of 152.4 µmmeets the requirement of being below 160 µm.
in an object under examination.
Second, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) can
be measured in a given region of interest in a
digital image to represent how well a system
is able to display or discern object features
against random background noise. And
finally, clear guidance is given on when and
what image quality indicators (IQIs) are to be
used to verify the quality and acceptability
of an image.
These image quality measures and well-
defined procedures make digital radiography
a standardised methodology – and move it
beyond the ‘art’ and guesswork it once was.
Market overview
Frost & Sullivan research finds that the global
industrial digital X-ray inspection systems
market generated between US$350-million
and $400-million in 2014. Within this, the com-
puted tomography (CT) segment accounted
for the maximum revenue, followed by DR and then CR. All
these three market segments are experiencing incremental
change in product development and end-user adoption.
An increase in end-user productivity is the key driver across
all product segments in the industrial digital radiographymar-
ket. With operational costs increasing and a lack of qualified
NDT technicians, especially in digital radiography, products
that can simplify the workflow and offer easy-to-use instru-
ments without compromising the quality of inspection will
experience the greatest success.
Conclusion
Over the past five years, the industrial digital radiography
market has experienced significant development and change,
which is driving greater adoption of this technology over
film-based radiography. While the advantages are apparent,
the evolution of standards, training, and products has taken
longer than expected, inhibiting its adoption.
Now, the technology has matured, with products be-
ing competitively priced and offering productivity gains. In
addition, the process is a greener alternative to film-based
radiography. Conservative industries such as aerospace, oil
and gas, and power generation, which initially resisted the
transition from film to digital radiography, are now more
accommodating and are, in fact, driving the adoption of
this technology.
Although, film radiography continues to be the preferred
choice in emerging economieswhere the operational costs are
lower than in developed economies, it is expected that, over
the next three to five years, the evolution of digital technology
will render film-based radiography unattractive.
Mega trends, such as the Industrial Internet of Things,
Big Data, and Industry 4.0, demand the adoption of smart
digital solutions that will progressively phase out radiography
on film.
Growth opportunities in the industrial digital radiography
market are nowavailable to South Africa’s NDT service provid-
ers. Carestream, together with GammaTec NDT Supplies, are
fully committed and prepared to assist in training the industry
in this technique in order tomake the transition from conven-
tional films to digital radiography easier.
Reference
1 Nikhil Jain , Frost And Sullivan report.
2 BS EN ISO 17636-2:2013, Non-destructive testing of welds —
Radiographic testing.
3 Steven A. Mango , Qualification of a Computed Radiography
System’s Exposure Range for Optimum Image Quality.