Pacific NDT’s Bendable digital X-ray detectors offer several advantages, particularly in industrial and non-destructive testing (NDT) applications, where imaging complex structures is essential. Here are some key benefits:

1. Enhanced Flexibility for Complex Geometries: Pacific Bendable detectors (410C & 417C) can conform to irregular or curved surfaces, making it easier to capture clear, detailed images of objects with challenging geometries, such as pipelines, turbines, and pressure vessels. This flexibility reduces the need for multiple images or adjustments, improving efficiency.
2. Improved Access in Confined Spaces: In industries like aerospace, oil & gas, and power generation, many components are difficult to reach or are in tight spaces. PiX Bendable detectors can navigate these areas more effectively than rigid detectors, enabling high-quality imaging without requiring complex setups.
3. Reduced Need for Image Stitching: Since bendable detectors can wrap around or conform to an object, they often cover more surface area in a single shot. This minimizes the need for multiple images and stitching, saving time and reducing potential artifacts.
4. Lower Radiation Exposure Requirements: Because they can achieve better contact with the surface being imaged, bendable detectors often require less radiation to obtain a clear image, enhancing safety for operators and reducing wear on the equipment.
5. Efficiency in Inspection and Maintenance: The flexibility of PiX bendable detectors allows for quicker setup and image acquisition, translating into reduced downtime during inspections. This efficiency is critical for industries with tight maintenance schedules or high safety standards, such as nuclear energy and infrastructure.

Pacific NDT’s Curved digital detectors improve imaging quality by closely matching the natural curvature of certain objects or structures, which brings several specific benefits:

1. Reduced Geometric Distortion: Flat detectors can introduce geometric distortions when capturing curved or spherical objects, as parts of the image near the edges may become stretched or misaligned. Pacific NDT’s Curved detectors conform to the object’s shape, allowing for more accurate and proportionate images, particularly useful in capturing circular or rounded surfaces like pipes or turbine blades.
2. Enhanced Edge Resolution: With a curved detector, each part of the imaging area maintains a consistent distance to the X-ray source and the object. This helps in achieving uniform focus and resolution across the entire image, including the edges, where flat detectors might otherwise lose clarity.
3. Improved Signal Uniformity: In a flat detector, X-rays must travel varying distances to reach different parts of the detector, which can result in uneven signal intensity and brightness. PiX Curved detectors, however, keep a more consistent X-ray path, enhancing image uniformity and reducing the need for correction or image processing.
4. Reduced Parallax Error: Parallax errors occur when there is a mismatch between the object and the detector’s plane, which can cause parts of the image to appear shifted or misaligned. Pacific NDT’s Curved detectors reduce parallax by aligning more closely with the object’s shape, improving image accuracy and enabling better detection of subtle defects.
5. More Efficient X-ray Capture: Because curved detectors align more naturally with the object being imaged, they often capture more of the X-ray photons emitted. This increases the signal-to-noise ratio, producing clearer images with less “noise,” which is crucial in identifying small cracks, voids, or other imperfections.

Flexible digital radiography (DR) panels bring significant advantages, especially for complex or irregularly shaped objects. Many of its advantages are mentioned in the FAQs above. However, they aren’t necessarily suitable for all imaging applications. Here’s a breakdown of where they might be less ideal:

Applications Where Flexible DR Panels May Not Be Ideal

1. High-Resolution, Flat Object Imaging: For applications that require ultra-high resolution and where the object is flat and stable (like some industrial parts), rigid detectors might provide better stability and are less likely to flex under their own weight, ensuring consistent resolution across the image.
2. Long Exposure or High Radiation Environments: Flexible panels might not always be optimized for environments requiring prolonged exposure to high radiation, as their materials might be more prone to wear under intense conditions. Rigid detectors are sometimes more durable in these high-demand scenarios.
3. Heavy-Load Environments: In settings where the panel may need to support significant weight or withstand physical pressure (for instance, if the detector needs to be placed underneath heavy objects), rigid DR panels may offer more resilience and support. Having said that, all our NDT detectors are fully ruggedized including the bendable detectors.

Pacific NDT currently offers turnkey bendable digital detectors in two sizes—4″x10″ and 4″x17″—to meet diverse application needs in the non-destructive testing (NDT) and security sectors. Research is underway to develop additional custom sizes, and we look forward to introducing more options to the market in the near future.