High resolution cabinet X-Ray machine for sale located in UK

[Fraser]

I promised to let forum members know if a decent high resolution X-Ray machine became available via my friends in the used technology supply business.

I have bought two Faxitron MX-20 systems from these guys in the past and both have been truly amazing bits of kit. Being a cabinet X-Ray machine, that uses low energy X-Ray's with sensitive high resolution imaging arrays, these are safer than any open site type X-Ray. You do still need to be sensible with them though. A decent Low X-Ray Energy dosimeter is a must for your own safety.

Chris of Lab-Tech phoned me this morning and offered me another high resolution cabinet X-Ray machine. It is not a Faxitron this time, but a very similar KUBTEC XPERT 40. She is a real beauty. The unit is supplied with the original computer, installed software and the software installation disks. I believe it even comes with the manual.

KUBTEC web page for the unit

http://kubtec.com/xpert-40-digital-specimen-radiography-system/

Chris is a really nice and honourable chap so I would not hesitate to do business with him. He gave me the heads up on the machine in case I wanted another, but finances do not permit such a purchase now. It is a significant sum of money at £3000 + £60 postage in the UK...... But it was originally installed in 2008 and is worth every penny in my opinion. A really nice X-Ray machine. If I had the money I would have bought it.

The auction is here and you can contact Chris via his business details on the web page.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/152011785452?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

An important detail about the machine is the X-Ray tube type. This unit uses a Microfocus tube with a spot size of less than 50um. The high resolution imaging array appears to be 100mm X 100mm. The perfect size for electronics as many machines have the smaller 50mm X 50mm size fitted for biopsy work. The 100x100 X-Ray array type cameras sell for £25K new !

As stated, I do know Chris and have bought many items from him. I am not on commission or receiving any kick backs for highlighting this auction though.

If you really need or want a decent low X-Ray energy high resolution X-Ray machine, give this one serious consideration. I would even consider a Bank loan to buy it if I did not already own two Faxitrons !

If any of you do buy this machine, I will be very envious of you

Fraser
UK

[TopLoser]

Very close to me so a bit of haggling and deal done it's in the back of my car!

Guess I'd better get some crap sold to pay for it and make room for it...

[Alex]

So you are the guy that snatched it right out of my hands! 

Alex

[Fraser]

Excellent news !

I am so pleased that it has gone to a good home Did you tell Chis you were from the EEVBlog forum ? He is a nice guy and I believe he would give discount to forum members.

That machine is a real beauty. It can generate up to 50 kVp and 1mA tube current. Very nice. I liked the neat cart that it was on and it looked a very professional setup. The 100mm X 100mm imaging array is a good find as well. Not that common and a £25K option on the Faxitron units.

It is running with a standard Dell PC as well so you should have no problem maintaining the computer side of things.

I would be interested in seeing pictures of the Test Phantom that Chris mentioned. I presume this checks the correct calibration of the system.

Do let us know how you get on with it. If I had not retired, I would have bought it myself. You are a lucky chap.

I spent the day stripping down my Todd Research BASIX 30 mail scanner today. It is now separated into piles of steel casing panels, lead sheets and electronics. All off to the metal merchant tomorrow. I will be glad to see the back of that heavy thing. I have salvaged the mini PC, camera, lead glass plate and X-Ray tube from it. Getting into the tube head was hard going with the Dremel circular saw.

Enjoy your new toy and if I can be of any assistance, please let me know.

Fraser

[Alex]

Fraser, did you mean 1mA?

It would be good to know how to access the exposure counter on the Kubtec units.

Alex

[Fraser]

Hi Alex,

Yes sorry, memory fade. I should have said 1mA and not 3mA. I have corrected my post.

Fraser

[TopLoser]

I called Chris to chat about VAT issues and we got on really well, he's a great enthusiastic guy we have lots of shared interests and experiences. And we both sell stuff to the same customers as well, and not just you!

It's a very complete and excellent condition package, loads of documentation and original installation disks. All looks to be very well designed top quality gear. Very heavy too!

As soon as I called him he said 'Do you know Fraser?'...!

Sorry to steal it from under somebodys nose but I collected and paid cash within a couple of hours of speaking to the seller, that always makes for an easy deal.

[TopLoser]

Well the thing is finally out of my car, it weighs 140Kg and getting it out of a small hatchback on my own was a bit of a drama!

Quick plug in and chuck a Raspberry Pi in the oven to check it out. Needs a lot of oomph to punch through the 2 solid power planes but it manages it.

Full size 100mm x 100mm images at:
30KV (500uA, 750uA, 1000uA)
40KV (500uA, 750uA, 1000uA)
50KV (500uA, 750uA, 1000uA)

then 3 zoomed in at:
50KV (500uA, 750uA, 1000uA)


30KV 500uA


30KV 750uA


30KV 1000uA


40KV 500uA


40KV 750uA


40KV 1000uA


50KV 500uA


50KV 750uA


50KV 1000uA


50KV 500uA


50KV 750uA


50KV 1000uA

[Fraser]

Very Nice 

Fraser

[TopLoser]

Well it works! Reveals a lot more detail if you fiddle about with the contrast and brightness controls.

Having fish for dinner later, just gave it quick check for bones!

[trevwhite]

Well that is very very cool!

[trevwhite]

I had heard this is how you check bga style parts for solder bridges during in production. I bet there must be some production companies out there that would love that thing.

[Fraser]

@ Trevwhite,

Production companies tend to use higher powered Microfocus X-Ray machines. These can usually produce at least 160kVp for good penetration.
When inspecting BGA soldering quality they need to see through the solder balls for density, occlusions and poor shape. Lower power X-Ray energy is limited to showing the alignment and presence of solder balls only.

I have used large production type Microfocus X-Ray machines and they are very capable.  They provide superb resolution and excellent magnification.

Fraser

[EEVblog]

I would have bought that, if it wasn't illegal to import into Australia 

[mikeselectricstuff]

I would have bought that, if it wasn't illegal to import into Australia 

How does any X-ray kit get into Oz then?
Or do you just mean illegal for you to import without license etc.?

[mikeselectricstuff]

The 50kV makes a big difference over the 35kV of my Faxitron. Maybe I should try some tweaks (despite the supposed 35kv limit of the detector - I'm sure they put some margin in....)

[KE5FX]

I believe I've read somewhere (maybe from Fraser?) that the MX20 can be "overclocked" to 40 kV.  But the tube current limit of 300 uA seems like it will be a bigger problem. 

From my research, the tube in the MX20 is a TFX-8050, rated for a maximum target voltage of 50 kV and maximum target current of 1 mA.  There is also a maximum tube power spec of 8 watts, but the MX20 already exceeds that at 35 kV/300 uA so I'm not sure how big a deal it is.  (Edit: the TFX-8050 spec sheet clarifies the power rating as 1W per micrometer of focal spot size, and the MX20 is rated for a "nominal" spot size less than 20 micrometers.  So that explains that... or does it?  How do they adjust the spot size?)

[jeremy]

Very jealous right now. Based on those images, I think this thread needs a [NSFW] tag...

[EEVblog]

I would have bought that, if it wasn't illegal to import into Australia 

How does any X-ray kit get into Oz then?
Or do you just mean illegal for you to import without license etc.?

I believe you need a license to operate one in Oz.
And it's illegal to sell one I believe, hence the complete lack of them on the market. They have to be "disposed of" or on-sold to someone with a license.
You can buy the toy dental ones on ebay though.

[Fraser]

To clarify, I have not detailed upgrading the drive to the X-Ray tube to 40kVp on a Faxitron MX-20. Doing such invalidates the equipments safety certification so I could not recommend such action.

Whilst the tube can take the increase in kVp you do need to start thinking about the X-Ray containment as you increase the tube voltage. Yes the X-Ray energy will penetrate the DUT better, but it may also start to leak past the X-Ray containment measures as well. To be honest 50kVp would likely still be OK in the well designed Faxitron cabinet, but a thorough X-Ray survey of an upgraded unit would still be sensible.

Once you get very far into the Hard X-Ray energy range you start to see lead shielding being employed. The Faxitron is relatively light because it uses only steel and stainless steel for X-Ray containment. No lead is needed at 35kVp.

I need to get myself a dead R-Pi and do some penetration comparisons using my 'new' MX-20 and its more advanced imaging array. Anyone got one I can borrow for some penetration tests? Be warned, lots of soft X-Ray exposure could harm parts of it, so best if it's already dead. The same model as Toploser used would be needed for direct comparisons of performance. Which R-Pi model did you use Toploser ?

Fraser

[TopLoser]

There's a lot of lead shielding used in this thing. It's quite challenging to move about.

I used a Pi 3 Fraser, I'll send it to you.

[Fraser]

@Toploser,

Thanks for offering to loan me the R-Pi. That will be most excellent.

I will need the R-Pi for about a week if that is OK. I have storage boxes piled in front of my MX-20's at the moment as I am still mid way through the tidy up process.

Many thanks

Fraser

[mikeselectricstuff]

This is what mine will do witha a Pi 3 - actually a lot better than other PCBs I've looked at, probably due to thin copper layers. 

[trevwhite]

Really like these pictures, thanks for the uploads everyone.

[KE5FX]

This is what mine will do witha a Pi 3 - actually a lot better than other PCBs I've looked at, probably due to thin copper layers.

Very inteesting -- that's from an MX20 at 35 kV/300 uA?  It's pretty close to the quality of the XPERT 40's shot at 50 kV/500 uA.   Is the sensor alone enough to account for the difference?