GE’s X-Cube Now Offers CT Add-On Capability

Allows Both 2D and 3D Radioscopic Inspection
Ahrensburg, Germany —December 1, 2009.

The versatility of the compact, X-Cube radioscopic inspection system from GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies has now been further increased with the introduction of a CT (computed tomography) add-on feature. Incorporating phoenix|x-ray technology, the enhanced X-cube system can offer both conventional 2D and CT, 3D inspection to provide extremely comprehensive data acquisition and display in applications ranging from production engineering to the metals industry and especially the castings sector.

“The new X-Cube Add-on will be of particular interest to companies which are new to computed tomography and those who wish to make an investment in the technology, says Andreas Beyer, product manager, X-ray machines at GE, “It retains the flexibility of the established X-Cube machine but now adds, literally, an extra dimension, to allow users to obtain significantly more volumetric information of critical components and castings.”

The volumetric data obtained from a CT scan provides a much greater depth of information than a 2D inspection. However, this information takes considerably longer to acquire. Consequently, the new system has been designed to work such that the majority of the operational time is dedicated to fast and intuitive, conventional radioscopic inspection, with around one-fifth of the operational time being used for volumetric CT, wherever this is necessary.

The new system uses the same X-ray equipment and manipulation components as the standard X-Cube, although additional fixtures can be supplied to improve image acquisition. Providing resolution of down to 100 µm voxel, X-Cube CT Add-on employs the 3D|arv program to manage automated image acquisition, reconstruction and visualization of inspection data and the software optimizes image quality.

About GE Measurement and Control Solutions
GE Measurement & Control Solutions is a leading innovator in advanced, sensor-based measurement, non-destructive testing (NDT) and inspection and condition monitoring, delivering accuracy, productivity and safety to a wide range of industries, including oil & gas, power generation, aerospace, transportation and healthcare. It has over 40 facilities in 25 countries and is part of GE Energy Services, which provides cleaner, smarter, more efficient solutions for its customers.