Automated X-ray inspection

For the on-chip bus, see Advanced Microcontroller Bus Architecture § Advanced eXtensible Interface (AXI).
X-ray of an electronic circuit board (zoom series into an old token ring network adapter board).

Automated X-ray inspection (AXI) is a technology based on the same principles as automated optical inspection (AOI). It uses X-rays as its source, instead of visible light, to automatically inspect features, which are typically hidden from view.

Automated X-ray inspection is used in a wide range of industries and applications, predominantly with two major goals:

  1. Process optimization, i.e. the results of the inspection are used to optimize following processing steps,
  2. Anomaly detection, i.e. the result of the inspection serve as a criterion to reject a part (for scrap or re-work).

Whilst AOI is mainly associated with electronics manufacturing (due to widespread use in PCB manufacturing), AXI has a much wider range of applications. It ranges from the quality check of alloy wheels[1] to the detection of bone fragments[2] in processed meat. Wherever large numbers of very similar items are produced according to a defined standard, automatic inspection using advanced image processing and pattern recognition software (Computer vision) has become a useful tool to ensure quality and improve yield in processing and manufacturing.[3]

  1. ^ "Automated Radioscopic Inspection of Aluminum Die Castings", Domingo Mery, Departamento de Ciencia de la Computación Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Av. Vicuña Mackena 4860(183) Santiago de Chile http://www.ndt.net/article/v12n12/mery.pdf
  2. ^ Thickness-compensated X-ray imaging detection of bone fragments in deboned poultry—model analysis Y Tao, JG Ibarra - Transactions of the ASAE, 200 - elibrary.asabe.org http://elibrary.asabe.org/abstract.asp?aid=2725
  3. ^ "Application and Technology of X-ray Inspection in Processing and Manufacturing Industry". www.x-rayinspection.us. Retrieved 2016-03-08.