Automating High-Precision X-Ray and Neutron Imaging Applications with Robotics

Journal Article · Tue Mar 28 00:00:00 EDT 2017 · IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/TASE.2017.2675709· OSTI ID:1364540

Hashem, Joseph Anthony ^[1]; Pryor, Mitch ^[2]; Landsberger, Sheldon ^[2]; Hunter, James F.  ^[1]; Janecky, David Richard  ^[1]

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1. Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
2. Univ. of Texas, Austin, TX (United States). Nuclear and Radiation Teaching Lab., Dept. of Mechanical Engineering

Los Alamos National Laboratory and the University of Texas at Austin recently implemented a robotically controlled nondestructive testing (NDT) system for X-ray and neutron imaging. This system is intended to address the need for accurate measurements for a variety of parts and, be able to track measurement geometry at every imaging location, and is designed for high-throughput applications. This system was deployed in a beam port at a nuclear research reactor and in an operational inspection X-ray bay. The nuclear research reactor system consisted of a precision industrial seven-axis robot, 1.1-MW TRIGA research reactor, and a scintillator-mirror-camera-based imaging system. The X-ray bay system incorporated the same robot, a 225-keV microfocus X-ray source, and a custom flat panel digital detector. The robotic positioning arm is programmable and allows imaging in multiple configurations, including planar, cylindrical, as well as other user defined geometries that provide enhanced engineering evaluation capability. The imaging acquisition device is coupled with the robot for automated image acquisition. The robot can achieve target positional repeatability within 17 μm in the 3-D space. Flexible automation with nondestructive imaging saves costs, reduces dosage, adds imaging techniques, and achieves better quality results in less time. Specifics regarding the robotic system and imaging acquisition and evaluation processes are presented. In conclusion, this paper reviews the comprehensive testing and system evaluation to affirm the feasibility of robotic NDT, presents the system configuration, and reviews results for both X-ray and neutron radiography imaging applications.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC52-06NA25396
• OSTI ID: 1364540
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-16-24156
• Journal Information: IEEE Transactions on Automation Science and Engineering, Vol. 15, Issue 2; ISSN 1545-5955
• Publisher: IEEE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
autonomous system
calibration
collision avoidance
computed tomography (CT)
flexible automation
helical scanning
motion control
nondestructive testing (NDT)
path planning
precision movement
radiation damage
radiography
software communication