Should your manufacturing operations invest in X-Ray thickness gauging (or XTG) technology? Here’s what you need to know:
What is X-Ray Thickness Gauging?
What exactly is x-ray thickness gauging? This process is a non-destructive method of measuring the thickness of materials using x-ray technology. It works by passing x-rays through materials, revealing their internal structure and, therefore, their thickness. This is important since manual measurement is not as accurate as x-rays can be, offering greater precision.
How is X-Ray Thickness Gauging Used?
Just as a standard x-ray test is done by focusing x-ray-emitting radiation toward a specific target, so is thickness gauging performed by directing this radiation at a material being evaluated. On the opposite side of the material from the emitter is a detector. This captures the x-rays and converts them into electronic signals, which are then used to calculate the exact thickness of the material being measured.
This might not sound precise, but the processes used to measure material thickness have plenty of additional safeguards in place to ensure accuracy. These include algorithms that factor in variations in material density, beam divergence, and more. This ensures that every measurement is as precise as possible and is reliable for the many applications this process might be used for.
What is the Importance of X-Ray Thickness Gauging?
Speaking of applications for thickness gauging, what are those applications? Why is this process important? You have already read that it ensures accuracy and improves precision, which can be used in manufacturing. But what are some specific applications of this technology?
• Metals. Regardless of composition, metals are easily measured by XTG. This includes metal coatings, which can be nearly impossible to ensure uniformity.
• Films and plastics. No film is too thin to be properly measured using x-ray technology.
• Textiles. Textiles can be some of the thinnest manufactured products, and variations in their thickness can cause issues in constructing garments, linens, and more. Measuring with XTG assures uniformity.
• Coatings and laminates. Ensuring uniform coverage of coatings and laminates can be tricky, especially given how thin these coatings often are. The precision of XTG is crucial to doing so accurately.
There are so many reasons to put XTG to work in your operation. For more information, contact Micro X-Ray Inc., a well known equipment distributor and learn more about how this technology can make manufacturing easier and more accurate for you.