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NDTMA 2015 Annual Conference
Conversion to Digital Radiography from

Film Radiography
Steve Mango
Worldwide Technical Manager
Carestream NDT
Rochester, NY
Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Overview:
•  Overview of digital
•  Basic computed radiography (CR)
•  Basic digital radiography (DDA)
•  Image quality measures
•  ASTM standards
•  Digital radiography system qualification
•  Customer acceptance of digital
•  Audit criteria

What is Digital Radiography?

•  Sources, shielding, image: same as film
•  Detector: different type for both CR & DR (film is a detector
also)
•  Everything after exposure to image formation is different
from film
•  Need computer and monitor
•  Image is an array of rows and columns of pixels
•  Each pixel has a value proportional to dose, which
eventually produces an analog “gray value” (brightness) on
a display monitor
Digital radiography is a way for you to improve your throughput and
reduce consumable expenditures while improving the end customer
image experience.

What is a Digital Image?
Digital Image Analog Image

Digital Conversion
•  Other industries have converted
(for example; photography)
•  Medical and dental radiography
have converted
•  NDT is the last to go, still
primarily film
•  It’s not a matter of “if”; it is a
matter of “when”
Reduce consumables, reduce re-‐work, eliminate chemical disposal

charges, eliminate film storage costs, improve image evalua?on , share
and store files electronically.

What’s so Great about Digital?

The user can;
•  adjust brightness
•  adjust contrast
•  apply magnification
•  apply image processing
apply measurements, do calculations,
and obtain statistics
•  apply annotations
•  include stamps
Saves inspector ?me and consumable cost while improving produc?vity.

What do your people need to learn to

be prepared for digital?
•  Digital Imaging Fundamentals – it not the same as film!
•  ASTM Standards pertaining to Digital
•  Digital System Qualification
•  Digital System Performance Baselining & Monitoring
•  Image Quality Measures
•  Computer Literacy
•  A Totally New User Interface!

Varied requirements for digital certification

•  ASNT training requirements
•  Level I: 24 total hours, 16 hours hands-on
•  Level II: 24 total hours, 16 hours hands-on
•  NAS410 training requirements
•  NAS410 Level I: 16 total hours, 8 hours
hands on
•  NAS410 Level II: 40 total hours, 8 hours
hands-on
The Industry has standardized on training
•  MAI training
curricularequirements
for the transition to digital radiography
with
•  MAI common
Level guidelines
I: 8 hours from FWGIDR,
formal training plus 20 DWGNDT,
and OJT
hours MAI.
•  MAI Level II: 40 hours formal training plus
120 hours OJT

Kinds of Radiography
•  Radiographic Testing (RT) film

•  Computed Radiography (CR)
•  Digital Radiography (DR)
•  Digital Detector Array (DDA)
•  Linear Detector Array (LDA)
•  Computed Tomography (CT)

Computed Radiography

Computed Radiography
•  Invented in 1975 by George Lucky at
Kodak
•  First commercialized in the mid 1980’s
•  Digital image from “film like” plates
•  Work flow is more like film
•  Imaging plates are flexible like film
•  Dynamic range is “four decades”
•  (i.e., 1X to 10,000X)

Components of Computed Radiography

•  Imaging Plate (IP) – photostimulable phosphor
•  Laser scanner or reader
•  Computer, Software, and Monitor (image
viewing)

Computed Radiography Imaging Process

Detector Stimulating Laser
(PMT)
Galvo-driven
scanning mirror
Filter
(Fast scan)
Translation
stage
"Slow scan"
*
Clock/sync
Display
Computer
A/D
convert Hard-copy
output
Storage device

Computed Radiography: Imaging Plate

Imaging Plates

Imaging plate selection

Imaging plate payback compared to film

•  One 14 X 17” plate typically costs about the same as one
box (100 sheets) of film
•  Imaging plates wear out over time
•  Film wears out too over time
•  Proper care and handling of IPs is required to achieve
favorable payback!
Imaging plates are a reusable media compared to film which is only used
once. With proper handling of the imaging plates they can easily be used
hundreds (or thousands) of ?mes. The longer they last, the faster the
payback.

Comparison of CR to Film

Digital Radiography/DDAs

Digital Radiography
•  Invented in the early 1960’s, the worlds first digital
radiograph was via fluoroscopy
•  Image is immediate
•  The detector is an electronic device
•  Workflow is less like film, more like a digital camera
•  DDA is rigid, not flexible
•  Highest sensitivity
•  Has excellent image quality due to frame averaging

Digital Radiography System
DR System DR Flat Panel Detector

(DDA)

Components of Digital Radiography
•  Radiation source
•  Object manipulator (for different exposure positions)
•  Digital Detector Array, DDA
•  Analog to Digital Converter
•  Computer, Software & Monitor

Digital Radiography Imaging Process

Digital Radiography Detectors - Indirect

•  Contain a thin film transistor photodiode array pixel grid
•  Converts radiation to light
•  Scintillators typically utilize Gadolinium Oxysulfide
Terbium doped particle phosphors
•  Scintillators can utilize Cesium Iodide Thallium doped
needle phosphors
•  Light is converted to electronic signal by the panel
•  amorphous silicon, α-Si
•  Analog to Digital conversion produces pixel value

Digital Radiography Detector Handling

•  DR detector contains sensitive electronics
•  Semi portable
•  Drop shock adversely affects detector
•  Temperature and moisture dependent
•  Radiation damage increases with kV; generally above
200kV
•  Periodic detector maintenance required
DR panels contain very sensi?ve electronics. In a sta?c environment,

where the panel is not moved, the risk is reduced. However, panels can
damage easily. Replacement panel costs run about $75K.

Calibration and Corrections

Raw images obtained from a DDA must be calibrated (corrected)
to create an ideal image.
These corrections consist of:
•  Offset (dark image) – the noise level in the absence of

radiation is characterized and subtracted from raw images.
•  Gain – the individual pixel to pixel non uniformity (gain) is
normalized (x-ray on) and applied to the raw images.
•  Bad pixel correction – underperforming pixels are
characterized, mapped, and corrected in the raw image.

Calibration frequency
•  Offset is the most frequently required calibration. This can
be performed as often as every image. As such, these are
not normally saved.
•  Gain calibrations last much longer. They are required for
different energy and geometry conditions. They may need
to be done if the scintillator develops irregularities due to
burn in. These calibrations are saved, and are recalled as
required.
•  Bad pixel mapping is provided by the manufacturer, and
is required very infrequently. As the DDA develops bad
pixels with age and/or use, an updated bad pixel map may
be required.

DDA Calibration Example
Uncalibrated Calibrated

Digital Radiography Bad Pixels

Comparison of DR to Film

Image Quality Measures

Digital Image quality measures

•  With film, inspectors only had to understand film density
•  With digital radiography inspectors need to understand terms
such as;
•  pixel value, digital detector response (PV, DDR)
•  digital driving level (DDL)
•  contrast to noise ratio (CNR)
•  signal to noise ratio (SNR)
•  interpolated basic spatial resolution (iSRb)
•  equivalent penetrameter sensitivity (EPS)
•  An understanding of digital image quality measures is required
to qualify a system, gain customer approval, and produce
optimum images

Exposure Linearity
Equal increments of Log

Exposure (doubling mAs)
should yield a straight line
response of pixel values in a
12-bit Log system

Dynamic Range or Latitude

Digital Latitude
Film Latitude
Pixel Digital
value or
density
Film
Exposure
CR has a huge dynamic range rela?ve to film. It’s easy to get a good shot
the first ?me. Fewer reshoots, no double loading!

Pixel Value (Pixel Intensity, DDR)
•  Proportional to Dose!
•  Can not be treated the same as optical film density
•  The numerical representation of the pixel intensity depends
on the chosen scale (i.e., log vs linear)
•  Bit depth determines total range of pixel values
•  Example 12 bit log = 2^12 = 4096, values 0 to 4095
•  Example 16 bit linear = 2^16 = 65536, values 0 to
65535
•  Pixel values are converted to analog brightness for viewing

Pixel Value Adjustment

•  “Gray scale” (display) value is the
number assigned to pixel value
•  Window & level change the display
values, not the underlying pixel
values
•  Display value is the “digital driving
level” DDL
•  DDL is the shade of gray on the
monitor
•  Monitor bit depth determines # of
possible gray levels (8-bit = 256
levels)

Contrast
•  Pixel value difference between parts of
image
•  Radiographic contrast
•  Subject contrast: atomic no. (Z),
density, thickness
•  KV, filter, scatter
•  Detector sensitivity
•  Contrast enhancement with processing
•  Use step wedge to define contrast
(image sensitivity) and latitude

Contrast Sensitivity
•  Minimum percent change in an object which produces a
perceptible change in the image
•  Computed Radiography – lower contrast sensitivity
•  Digital Radiography – higher contrast sensitivity

Contrast to Noise Ratio (CNR)

•  Difference between pixel values of
adjacent areas
•  Divided by standard deviation of pixel
value
•  (N2 – N1)/ σ
•  N = pixel value
•  σ = standard deviation
Standards specify this

contrast is measured inside
the 4T hole, and adjacent to it

Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR)

•  SNR = N/ σ N= pixel value; σ = standard deviation
•  Signal – desirable part of image: dose
•  Noise – undesirable part of image
•  Scatter
•  Geometric distortion
•  Statistical variation or quantum noise

Spatial Resolution (SR)

•  Amount of detail in the image
•  Minimum resolvable
separation between high
contrast objects
•  SR affected by many factors

Spatial Resolution (SR)
Resolution is limited
by effective pixel size!

ASTM Standards for Digital

Radiography

ASTM Standards for both CR and DR (DDAs)

•  Standard Guides (tutorials)
•  Standard Practices for Performance Evaluation and Long Term Stability
•  Standard Practices for Manufacturer Classification & Qualification
•  Standard Practices for Examination
Major revisions to CR standards in progress!

DDA Standards due for update this year

ASTM E2445 CR Phantom

ASTM/USAF CR Phantom for low energy

HPX-1 Diagnostic Tool CR Phantom
Valida?ng digital system performance at the start and finish of a project
can be a sellable benefit to a customer (confirms work) as well as risk
management for the inspec?on company.

SMPTE TV test pattern to evaluate display

monitor performance

ASME code acceptance
•  ASME Article 2, Appendix VIII

•  Replacement of film by CR
•  ASME Article 2, Appendix IX

•  Replacement of film by DR
•  ASME code, section V, Article 2

•  2T hole or essential wire must be displayed

Digital Radiography
System Qualification

Example of a CR System Qualification

Minimum pixel value qualification

•  Establishes an exposure range for optimum image quality
•  Determines the minimum pixel value to achieve a pre-

determined image quality level
•  Equivalent penetrameter sensitivity
•  Signal to noise ratio
•  Allows users to know that they have good image quality based
upon the pixel value (pixel intensity) that they achieve
•  Must be “qualified” for specific systems/parameters!

Customer Acceptance of
Digital

Customer acceptance of digital

•  What’s in it for them? Why change?
•  Is it as reliable as film? Demonstrate the same result as
film.
•  Productivity
•  Will it make them more profitable?
•  ROI (Note; may not recoup investment with one job)
•  Operating expenses
•  Image management and storage
People can be reluctant to change. Digital imaging has a significant cost
advantage rela?ve to film. It’s worth the effort to convert.

RT inspection cost
Source:
Radiographic Inspection of Aircraft Components, Quality Digest, June 2006;
Steven A. Mango.

Digital radiography audit criteria

How to assess / prepare / comply?
Have comprehensive written procedures and be prepared to
demonstrate S/W features & image quality measures!
•  Window/level/zoom/pan/1:1 pixel mapping
•  Histogram, ROI stats, variable width line profile
•  Display of DDRs and DDLs
•  Neg/Pos image polarity
•  Annotations
•  DICONDE compliance, lossless image format
•  Process controls (SNR, EPS tests, etc.)
•  Written procedures include scanner settings, viewing cond.

Thank You!

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NDTMA 2015 Annual Conference

Conversion to Digital Radiography from

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

What is Digital Radiography?

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

What is a Digital Image?

Digital Image Analog Image

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Reduce consumables, reduce re-­‐work, eliminate chemical disposal

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

What’s so Great about Digital?

Saves inspector ?me and consumable cost while improving produc?vity.

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

What do your people need to learn to

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Varied requirements for digital certification

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

• Radiographic Testing (RT) film

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Components of Computed Radiography

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Computed Radiography Imaging Process

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Computed Radiography: Imaging Plate

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Imaging plate selection

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Imaging plate payback compared to film

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Digital Radiography System

DR System DR Flat Panel Detector

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Components of Digital Radiography

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Digital Radiography Imaging Process

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Digital Radiography Detectors - Indirect

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Digital Radiography Detector Handling

DR panels contain very sensi?ve electronics. In a sta?c environment,

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Calibration and Corrections

These corrections consist of:

• Offset (dark image) – the noise level in the absence of

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

DDA Calibration Example

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Digital Radiography Bad Pixels

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Image Quality Measures

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Digital Image quality measures

Golden Nugget Hotel, Las Vegas, NV February 10-13, 2015

Equal increments of Log

Reduce consumables, reduce re-‐work, eliminate chemical disposal

•  Radiographic Testing (RT) film

•  Offset (dark image) – the noise level in the absence of

•  ASME Article 2, Appendix VIII

•  ASME Article 2, Appendix IX

•  ASME code, section V, Article 2

•  Determines the minimum pixel value to achieve a pre-

•  Must be “qualified” for specific systems/parameters!