x-rays for looking inside electronic devices?

[engineheat]

Hi,

I wonder if there are businesses that offer x-ray services to look into a manufactured product, like electronic devices without having to open and disturb the device?

Thanks

[tautech]

Hunt out some earlier threads from Fraser, he's done heaps of this.
He uses mainly dental units.

[oPossum]

[Someone]

I wonder if there are businesses that offer x-ray services to look into a manufactured product, like electronic devices without having to open and disturb the device?

Yes, they exist.

I wonder if you can form a better question?

[james_s]

I've done it many times, using dental and veterinary equipment. The machines can be found surprisingly cheaply, expired film is also cheap and usually fine. It can be developed with ordinary photographic chemicals and can be handled under a red safelight.

[MosherIV]

I am pretty sure many electronics board assembly companies may have x-ray equipment.
It is needed to inspect bga soldering.

If you can hire them to build boards, I am sure you will be able to hire them to x-ray things for you.

[james_s]

I should have mentioned, while it's easy to do, it's also something that has the potential to be dangerous enough that you should absolutely not try it yourself unless you are really confident that you know what you're doing.

Legality aside, even a tiny little dental head has the potential to cause seriously nasty radiation burns, cancer or death if used carelessly.

[Sal Ammoniac]

Do you need a license to own an X-ray machine in the U.S.?

[james_s]

To own? No. To operate it you don't technically need to be licensed yourself but it has to be an approved installation.

[SerieZ]

Most serious PCB Assembly Factories have one.
As Pointed out earlier to inspect BGA and other Components Soldering Joints which are hidden under the Component.
Also sometimes they are used to try to find Problems and fix the more expensive Boards.
I dont think a Chinese Company assembling cheap Boards would have such Luxury...

Never heard of a Company offering just X-Ray services... I would not be surprised if it exists tho. Sounds so specialized tho it has to be expensive...