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Nondestructive Testing Game-Changer: Bendable X-ray Detector Nears Completion
2023-10-24
- Non-Destructive Radiographic Inspection Evolves into Mainstream Market with Vieworks 'Bendable Detector' Technology
- Shortened inspection time compared to analog film, easier image post-processing, clearer images
The industrial detector market is undergoing a seismic shift as bendable technology becomes a reality. Vieworks announced today that it is actively pursuing new markets by introducing a prototype of its recently developed bendable x-ray detector at the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT 2023).
By presenting the bendable X-ray detector to the medium-sized and smaller pipe inspection market (water pipes, oil pipes, etc.), which has been difficult to target with existing flat panel detectors, Vieworks is focusing on developing the market in North America and Europe, where the plant industry is growing. The company aims to diversify its non-destructive testing product lineup and expand its reach as precision inspection becomes increasingly important in industries such as oil, gas, and shipyard.
The strengths of Vieworks' bendable detectors include high image quality, usabiliity, and durability. It is the world's first bendable X-ray detector to implement a 99 micrometer pixel size to improve image quality, and it meets the Class-B standard, which is the highest level in the resolution evaluation of ISO 17636-2, the international standard for non-destructive testing of weldments. The curvature of the detector can be freely changed to meet various pipe inspection standards, and it is IP67 rated for water and dust resistance.
Non-destructive testing (NDT) is an inspection that detects internal defects in pipelines such as oil and gas pipelines and airframe components of aviation and ships while maintaining their original shape. Among the various inspection methods, radiographic testing (RT) accounts for the mainstream (23.77%) of the global non-destructive testing market, and there is a trend to shift from analog film methods to digital x-ray detectors (DR), which are easier to use and more efficient.
Unlike analog film inspection, bendable detectors allow for immediate inspection images to be viewed, reducing inspection time. Clear images can be obtained with a low X-ray dose, and post-processing of the images, such as contrast adjustment and magnification, is possible digitally. Since no physical storage space is required as with analog film, image data can be easily stored and accessed.
The global non-destructive testing equipment market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% to reach $11.7 billion in 2025, and Viewworks is seeing strong growth in related businesses. Viewworks' sales of industrial x-ray detectors increased from KRW 1 billion in 2018 to KRW 13.7 billion in 2022.
A Vieworks representative said. "The radiographic nondestructive testing market has been dominated by the use of analog film due to technical limitations, but the superior results of bendable detectors in real-world field tests are setting a new standard for the industry. We expect this new technology to mark a new milestone in the evolution of the nondestructive testing market."
For furthur information about Vieworks Bendable Detector, click here
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