PaperNo.

00212

Guideforthe
QualificationofDigital
RadiographySystemsand
Processes
Revision1
01February2012

ThisdocumentwascreatedbytheFederalWorkingGrouponIndustrialDigitalRadiography.
Reproductionisauthorized.


1

FederalWorkingGrouponIndustrialDigitalRadiography
GuidefortheQualificationofDigitalRadiographySystemsandProcesses,1February2012

FederalWorkingGrouponIndustrialDigitalRadiography(FWGIDR)The
FWGIDRisaselfcharteredorganizationconsistingoffederalandgovernment
contractemployeesandendorsedbytheDefenseWorkingGroupon
NondestructiveTesting(DWGNDT).Thisworkinggroupprovidesaplatformfor
identifyingcommonconcernsandcriticalissuesfacingthefederalindustrial
radiographiccommunityasittransitionsfromfilmtodigitalradiography(DR).The
FWGIDR,utilizingexpertisefromwithinthecommunity,organizesand
coordinatestechnicalcommitteesthatformulatepositions,guidance,and/or
solutionsforthecommunityscommonconcernsandissues.

BackgroundRecognizingsignificantdifficultiesinaddressingtechnicaladvances
inthedigitalradiographicfield,severalengineersfromtheDepartmentofEnergy
(DOE)andDepartmentofDefense(DoD)organizedtheFWGIDRin2007to
addresstheproblemsandconcernsfacedbytheindustrialradiographic
communityintransitioningtoDR.DigitalXraysystemsarerevolutionizing
medicalradiology,asdigitalcamerasrevolutionizedthephotographiccommunity,
andsimilarlyhaveaneverincreasingroleinradiographicnondestructivetesting.
Medicalradiologybackedbysignificantdevelopmentandfunding,anddigital
photography,withrapidpublicacceptance;havedemonstratedtheadvantages
thatdigitalsystemsofferinimageintensiveapplications.TheFWGIDRisfocused
onavisionforthefutureradiographicinspectionfacility,andthatvisionisdigital
radiography.

TherapidgrowthinDRhascreatedtransitionalissuesdifficultfortheindustrial
communitytoassimilatewhiletransitioningfromfilmtodigitaltechniques.These
issuesincludepersonneltraining;dataformatting,storageandretrieval;
techniquedevelopmentandqualification;equipmentqualificationand
monitoring;processcontrol;anddevelopmentandacquisitionofequipment
suitableforindustrialapplications.

ParticipantsintheFWGIDRareorganizationsthatemploynondestructivetesting
insupportofgovernmentcontracts.DOE,DoD,primegovernmentcontractors,
alongwithothergovernmentandcontractorpersonnelareactivelycontributing
toandsupportingtheeffortsofthisworkinggroup.

FederalWorkingGrouponIndustrialDigitalRadiography
GuidefortheQualificationofDigitalRadiographySystemsandProcesses,1February2012

1. Scope

1.1. ThisdocumentisintendedasaguidetoaidactivitiesqualifyingDigitalRadiography(DR)
systemsandtoassistpersonnelwhoareresponsibleforthequalifying,approvingand/orauditingthe
applicationofDRsystems.
1.2. ApplicabilityDigitalRadiography(DR)isbroadlyinterpretedbytheFederalWorkingGroup
onIndustrialDigitalRadiography(FWGIDR)andthisdocumenttoincludeanysystemthatconvertsa
radiographicimagetoadigitized/pixelizedcomputerimagingformat.Thiscanincludebutisnotlimited
tosystemsusingthefollowingdetectors:photostimulableluminescence(PSL)plates,amorphoussilicon
flatpanels,amorphousseleniumflatpanels,complementarymetaloxidesemiconductor(CMOS)flat
panels,CMOScameras,chargeinductiondevice(CID)cameras,chargecoupleddevice(CCD)cameras,
lineardiodearrays(LDA),computedtomography(CT),filmdigitizers(FD),etc.Forthepurposeofthis
document,DRsystemsusingflatpanelelectronicdetectorswillbereferredtoasDigitalDetectorArray
(DDA)systemsandthoseusingphotoluminousplateswillbereferredtoasComputedRadiography(CR)
systemsrespectively.
1.3. Thisguidedoesnotpurporttoaddressallofthesafety,qualityorcontractualconcerns,if
any,associatedwithitsuse.Itistheresponsibilityoftheuserofthisguidetoestablishappropriate
safety,healthandqualitypracticesanddeterminetheapplicabilityofregulatoryorcontractual
limitationspriortouse.

2. Terminology
2.1. Unlessotherwisespecified,terminologyinthisguiderelatingtoradiographicexaminationis
asdefinedbyASTME1316orotherASTMspecifications.
2.2. DefinitionsofTermsSpecifictoThisGuide:
2.2.1. CustomerorCustomersAuthorizedRepresentativethecompany,governmentagency,or
otherauthorityresponsiblefortheenduseofthesystemorcomponentforwhichradiographic
examinationisrequired.
2.2.2. DigitalRadiographyDigitalradiography(DR)referstoallsystemsusingthatconverts
ionizingorpenetratingradiationintodigitalinformationbyvariousmeans,includingcomputed
radiographyusingphotostimulableluminescence(PSL)plates,amorphoussiliconflatpanels,amorphous
seleniumflatpanels,complementarymetaloxidesemiconductor(CMOS)flatpanels,CMOScameras,
chargecoupleddevice(CCD)cameras,lineardiodearrays(LDA),computedtomography(CT),film
digitizers(FD),etc.
2.2.3. LevelIIIRadiographerInthisdocument,whenthetermlevelIIIradiographerisused,itis
referringtoaradiographeremployedbytheinspectingactivitythatisresponsibleforoverseeing
radiographicoperationsincludingbutnotlimitedtotechniqueapprovalandsystemqualification.
2.2.4. LongTermStabilityMonitoringPerformancemeasurementsofaDRsystemoverthelife
cycleofthedevices,usedtoevaluaterelativesystemperformanceovertime.
2.2.5. QualificationPlanThewrittenagreementbetweentheinspectingactivityandthecustomer
thatdocumentshowtheinspectingactivitywilldemonstratethattheymeettheinspection
requirementsofthecustomer.Thisincludesdocumentationofthesystemconfiguration,system
characterizationtesting,longtermstabilitytesting,therangeofitemscoveredbythequalificationplan,
andtechniqueverificationprocessthatwillbeusedforeachspecificitem.
2.2.6. RepresentativeQualityIndicator(RQI)arealpart,orafabricationofsimilargeometryin
radiographicallysimilarmaterialtoarealpart,thathasfeaturesofknowncharacteristicsthatrepresent
allofthefeaturesforwhichthepartstobeinspectedarebeingexamined.DescribedinASTME1817.

FederalWorkingGrouponIndustrialDigitalRadiography
GuidefortheQualificationofDigitalRadiographySystemsandProcesses,1February2012

2.2.7. SensitivityDemonstrationTheprocessofverifyingthatthedigitalradiographysystemis
capableofdetectingalldefectsrequiredforinspectionofaproductlineovertherangeofmaterialsand
materialthicknessespresentinthatproductline.
2.2.8. SystemCharacterizationAnevaluationofadigitalradiographicsystemtoquantifythe
performanceofthesystem.Thisisagenerictestofsystemperformanceandisconductedindependent
ofanyparticularinspectiontechnique.Systemcharacterizationtestsareessentialformonitoring
systemdegradation.
2.2.9. SystemPerformanceBaselineTheresultsofsystemcharacterizationtestingdonewhena
systemisinstalledandinitiallyqualifiedforNDT.Thesetestsresultsareusedaspartofalongterm
stabilitytestingprogramtomonitoranydegradationthathasoccurredintheperformanceinthesystem
comparedtowhenthesystemwasfirstputintouse.
2.2.10. TechniqueVerificationTheprocessofensuringthatthetechniqueandinspectionprocess
arecapableofdetectingalldefectsspecifiedintheinspectioncriteriaandmeetingallinspection
requirementsinactualorsimulatedinspectionusinginspectionprocedures,equipmentandpersonnel.
Processcontrolmethodsshouldalsobedemonstratedaspartofthisverification.

3. SignificanceandUse
3.1. Theguidanceprovidedbythisdocumentaddressesthedevelopmentofqualificationplans,
sensitivitydemonstrationsandtechniques.Necessaryprocesscontrolsareaddressedincluding
approvedprocedures,systemcalibration,andthetrainingandcertificationofpersonnel.
3.2. ThedetailedguidancepresentedinthisguideisapplicabletoCRandDDAsystems.Future
effortsoftheFWGIDRmayaddresscomputedtomographyandfilmdigitizersifthereisaclearly
identifiedneedandinterestfrommembersoftheworkinggroup.
3.3. Thisguideisastartingpointfordevelopmentofausersqualificationplanandtesting
procedures.Itdoesnotpresentspecifiedimagequalitylevelsaswouldbeusedtoaddressthe
acceptanceorrejectioncriteriaestablishedbetweentwocontractingparties,forexample,NDTfacility
orconsumerofNDTservices,orboth.ItisnotadetailedhowtoproceduretobeusedbytheNDT
facilityorconsumerofNDTservices,orboth.

4. Background
4.1. ThisguidewasoriginallydevelopedbytheSystemQualificationTaskGroupoftheFederal
WorkingGroupforIndustrialDigitalRadiography(FWGIDR)andreleasedon01September2009.The
goaloftheSystemQualificationTaskGroupwastodevelopasystemqualificationguidelineforthe
applicationofindustrialdigitalradiographysystems.ItwillalsoidentifyFilmtoDRtransitionalissuesto
supportandpromotetheformulationandadoptionofASTMstandardsinDRmodalitiesandencourage
theadoptionofthesestandardsbygovernmentagenciesandgovernmentcontractors.
4.2. Sincetheoriginalguidewaspublished,severalASTMspecificationsforradiographywith
DigitalDetectorArrayswerereleasedincludingE2698,E2736andE2737.Thesespecificationsrendered
partsofthisdocumentobsolete.Additionally,itbecameclearthatadditionalguidancewasrequiredfor
ComputedRadiographytoensureareliableinspection.

5. SystemCharacterization
5.1. Priortotheapprovalofanyitemspecifictechniques,thesystemshouldbecharacterizedto
establishthecapabilitiesofthesystemanddeterminethebaselineforsystemperformance.Ifanykey
componentsofasystemarereplaced,suchastheCRIPtype,CRscannermodel,CRscannersettings,
DDApanel,software,etc;thenthissystemcharacterizationtestingshouldberepeated.

FederalWorkingGrouponIndustrialDigitalRadiography
GuidefortheQualificationofDigitalRadiographySystemsandProcesses,1February2012

5.2. SystemPerformanceBaselineThissystemcharacterizationshouldutilizeImageQuality
Indicators(IQIs)forquantitativemeasurementofkeysystemperformanceparameters.TheIQIsand
testarticlesforthistestingshouldbeselectedbaseduponmaterialsandgeometriesthatare
representativeofthesystemsintendedapplication.ThelevelIIIradiographerisresponsiblefor
developingthetestingproceduresfordeterminingthesystemperformancebaseline.
5.2.1. CharacterizationforComputedRadiographyThelevelIIIradiographershoulddevelopthe
systemcharacterizationtestingprocedureforaCRsystembaseduponASTME2445.ThelevelIII
radiographermayhavetotailorthistestingprocedureforsystemsthatwillutilizeenergylevelsthatare
significantlydifferentfromthosespecifiedinASTME2445.
5.2.1.1. EquivalentPenetrameterSensitivity(EPS)EPStestingasdescribedintheMetals
AffordabilityInitiative(MAI)guidelinesshouldbedoneforComputedRadiography
systems.AdescriptionofthistestingcanbefoundinAppendixX3.Thepurposeof
thetestingistodeterminetheexposurelevelsnecessaryinordertoensurean
adequatesignaltonoiseratio.Forsystemswherealinearrelationshipexistsbetween
pixelvalueanddosagereceived,EPStestingwillestablishtheacceptablegrayvalue
rangeforthatsystem.Forsystemswherenolinearrelationshipexists,alternative
methodsforensuringadequateexposurelevelshouldbeestablished.
5.2.2. CharacterizationforDigitalDetectorArraysThelevelIIIradiographershoulddevelopthe
systemcharacterizationtestingprocedureforaDDAsystembaseduponASTME2737exceptasnoted
below.
5.2.2.1. BadPixelMappingFrequencyFrequencyforcheckingbadpixelsshouldbeagreed
uponbytheInspectingActivityandtheCognizantEngineeringOrganization(CEO).
5.2.2.2. DuplexPlatePhantomThematerialusedforthephantomshouldbethesameaswill
beinspected.IfanalternativeIQImaterialhasbeenapprovedbytheCEO,thenthis
materialmaybeusedforthetwoplatesofthephantomaswell.
5.2.2.3. ContrastSensitivityMeasurementContrasttoNoiseRatiowiththeDuplexPlate
PhantomshouldbecalculatedasspecifiedinASTME2737,Paragraph9.4.2exceptfor
thefollowing:GrayValuesfortheholemaybemeasuredbycalculatingtheMeanof
anareaontheshim;GrayValuesforthebesidesquaresmaybemeasuredby
calculatingtheMeanofanequalsizeareaonthePenetrameter;andtheSigma
measuredbycalculatingtheStandardDeviationofthesameareaonthe
Penetrameter.
5.2.2.4. HighEnergyConsiderationsPriortoconductingperformanceevaluationtestingin
accordancewithE2737onahighenergysystem(greaterthan320kV),thelevelIII
radiographershoulddiscussthetestingwiththesystemmanufacturertodetermineif
anysystemdamagewilloccurasaresultofperforminganyofthetests,suchasthe
burnintest.WiththeconcurrenceoftheCEO,testsshouldbemodifiedbasedupon
therecommendationsofthemanufacturer.
5.2.3. MultipleFocalSpotsSystemswhichhavemultiplefocalspotsthatwillbeusedfor
inspectionshouldtestsystemperformanceforeachfocalspotthatwillbeused.
5.2.4. FluctuationinExposureAnytestingperformedaspartofsystemcharacterizationshouldbe
donemultipletimesandtheresultscomparedinordertodetermineimagetoimagevariationswhich
couldhaveaneffectonimagequality.
5.3. LongTermStabilityMonitoringTheproceduresandtestarticlesdevelopedfortheinitial
systemcharacterizationshouldbedevelopedconcurrentlywiththelongtermperformancemonitoring
programsothatsystemperformancecanbetrackedovertime.

FederalWorkingGrouponIndustrialDigitalRadiography
GuidefortheQualificationofDigitalRadiographySystemsandProcesses,1February2012

6. QualificationPlan(s)
6.1. Aftersystemcharacterization,thelevelIIIradiographerisresponsiblefordevelopmentand
documentationofthequalificationplan(s).Thesequalificationplan(s)shouldbedevelopedbasedupon
theguidanceprovidedinthisdocumentandbetailoredtothespecificneedsoftheactivity,thespecific
characteristicsoftheDigitalRadiographyequipmentused,andtheitemsbeinginspectedinadditionto
thespecificrequirementsofthecustomer.Thesequalificationplan(s)shouldbedevelopedwithand
approvedbythecustomerorthecustomersauthorizedrepresentativeinadditiontothelevelIII
radiographer.Systemsthatareusedforasingleproductlineorfamilyofsimilarproductsmayonly
requireasinglequalificationplan.Systemsthatareusedforavarietyofitemsmayrequiremultiple
qualificationplans,particularlyiftherearesignificantdifferencesintheinspectioncriteriafortheitems.
6.2. ContentsThequalificationplan(s)shouldincludethefollowingsectionsataminimum.
AdditionalinformationmaybeincludedatthediscretionofthelevelIIIradiographerandthecustomer
orcustomersauthorizedrepresentative.
6.2.1. SystemConfigurationThequalificationplan(s)shouldincludeacompleteandaccurate
listingoftheDRinspectionequipment.ThisshouldbeadetailedlistingoftheDRsystemcomponents
bymanufacturer,modelandserialnumbers.Guidancefortheequipmentandsoftwarethatshouldbe
listedisprovidedinAppendixX5.Thesoftwarelistshouldincludeanysoftwarethatisusedaspartof
theinspectionprocessanditsversioninformation.Thislistingshouldbeupdatedwhenkey
componentsarereplacedorthesystemismodified.ThelevelIIIradiographerandcustomeror
customersauthorizedrepresentativewillmakethedeterminationifreplacementormodificationof
systemcomponentsorsoftwarerequiresrequalification.
6.2.2. ProceduresThequalificationplan(s)shouldincludealistingoftheproceduresusedfor
operation,calibrationandmaintenanceoftheequipment.
6.2.3. ProcessControlsThequalificationplan(s)shoulddescribetheprocesscontrolsthatthe
customerandinspectingactivityhaveagreedwillbeusedtoensurearepeatableandaccurate
inspection.ThisshouldincludeanyrequirementsthatareaboveandbeyondtheASTMspecifications,
suchasthoserecommendedinSection8ofthisdocument.Thisshouldalsoincludealistingofany
ASTMrequirementsthatarebeingwaivedbythecustomerifASTMstandardsarereferencedinthe
contractualdocumentation.
6.2.4. OperatorCertificationThequalificationplan(s)shouldspecifytherequiredstandardsfor
operatorcertificationandtraining.Thisshouldincludeboththeoryandequipmenttrainingforall
radiographers.
6.2.5. RangeofItemsThequalificationplan(s)shouldspecifytheitems,devices,materials,
components,etc.thatarecoveredbythequalificationplan.Thislistingshouldidentifyspecificitems
thatarecoveredbytheplanorfamiliesofitems.Iffamiliesarespecified,thenadescriptionofthe
criticalcharacteristicsthatdefinethefamiliesshouldbeincludedinthequalificationplan.
6.2.6. DefectsCoveredThequalificationplan(s)shouldspecifythetypesofdefectsthatwillbe
coveredbytheinspection.Wheneverpossible,thedefectsshouldbedescribedquantitativelysuchas
specifyingtheminimumdimensionsforlength,widthanddepthofcracksforspecificmaterials.
6.2.7. SensitivityDemonstrationThequalificationplan(s)shouldspecifythetestingthatwillbe
donetoverifythattheDRsystemiscapableofdetectingthedefectsspecifiedin6.2.6intheitemsor
familiesofitemsspecifiedin6.2.5.Thistestingshouldbedoneutilizingactualorsimulateddefectsina
controlledenvironment.ThelevelIIIradiographerisauthorizedtoparticipateinthisdemonstration
evenifthisisoutsideoftheirnormalroleintheinspectionprocess.
6.2.8. ApproachforMeetingInspectionCriteriaThequalificationplan(s)shouldincludea
descriptionofthemethodologyformeetingtheinspectionrequirementsasspecifiedbythecustomer.

FederalWorkingGrouponIndustrialDigitalRadiography
GuidefortheQualificationofDigitalRadiographySystemsandProcesses,1February2012

Thissectionformsthetechnicalagreementbetweentheinspectingactivityandthecustomerastohow
toensurethatdefectdetectabilityrequirementsaremet.
6.2.9. TechniqueVerificationRequirementsThequalificationplan(s)shouldincludeadescription
ofhowthetechniqueortechniqueswillbeverifiedandthefrequencyoftheverification.Thisincludesa
descriptionandthequantityofthesamplesusedforthetechniqueverificationandwhatIQIsand/or
RQIswillbeused.
6.2.10. QualificationExposureRequirementsIfQualificationExposuresmaybeusedinlieuofusing
therequiredIQIsand/orRQIsoneveryexposure,thequalificationplan(s)shouldspecifythefrequency
andmethodformonitoringandvalidatingsystemsensitivityincludingidentificationofsensitivity
indicators.
6.2.11. DataFormatandStorageThequalificationplan(s)shouldincludeawrittenpolicyfordata
formatandstorage.Thispolicyshouldtakeintoaccountlongtermdataintegrityandretrievabilityand
shouldspecificallyprohibittheuseoflossydatacompression.
6.3. RevisionAqualificationplanshouldberevisedwheneveranycomponentspecifiedin6.2.1
ischanged,additionalitemorfamilynotspecifiedin6.2.3isadded,additionaldefectnotcoveredin
6.2.4oranyotherchangeoccurswhichisoutsideofthescopeoftheoriginalqualificationplan.Any
revisionofthequalificationplanshouldbeapprovedbythelevelIIIradiographerinadditiontothe
customerorcustomersauthorizedrepresentative.

7. Technique(s)
7.1. ItistheresponsibilityoftheNDTfacilitytodevelopanexaminationtechniquerecordedasa
writtenprocedurethatiscapableofconsistentlyproducingthedesiredresultsanddetectingthedefects
specifiedbythecustomer.Whenrequiredbycontract,purchaseorderortheQualificationPlan,the
procedureshouldbesubmittedtothecustomerorcustomersauthorizedrepresentativeforapproval.
Thewrittentechniqueshouldcontain,ataminimum,alltherequirementsspecifiedinASTME1742,
paragraph6.1.1through6.1.4and6.1.6through6.1.10.Inaddition,thefollowingshouldbeaddressed
inthewrittentechnique.
7.1.1. QualificationPlanAllwrittentechniquesshouldbecoveredbyaqualificationplan
approvedbythelevelIIIradiographerandthecustomerorcustomersauthorizedrepresentative;and
thequalificationplanshouldbeidentifiedinthewrittentechnique.
7.1.2. FiltersandCollimatorsThewrittentechniqueshouldspecifythethickness,materialand
locationofanybeamhardeningfilters.Thetechniqueshouldalsospecifyifacollimatorisusedto
tightenthebeamspreadandthesettingorpositionofthecollimatorifadjustable.
7.1.3. RepresentativeQualityIndicatorsCaremustbetakentoensurethattherepresentative
qualityindicatorsspecifiedinthetechniqueareadequatetoprovethatthetechniquecanidentifyall
defectsspecifiedintheacceptancecriteria.AppendixX1containsfurtherdiscussion.Imagequality
indicatorssuchasholeorwirepenetrametersmaybeusedinplaceofrepresentativequalityindicators
ifallowedbythequalificationplanapprovedbythecustomerorcustomersauthorizedrepresentative.
7.1.4. ViewingAdjustmentsStandarddigitalimageviewingsoftwareallowsadjustmentof
Window/LevelandZoom.Thetechniqueshouldspecifyiftheseparametersmaybeadjustedduring
imageassessmentandtheallowablerangeofadjustment.
7.1.5. ImageEnhancementsAllautomatedandmanuallyappliedimageenhancementswhich
manipulatethedigitaldata,includingdigitalfilters,contrastoredgeenhancements,etc.shouldbe
specifiedinthewrittentechniqueunlessspecifiedinasystemsoperationprocedurethatisapprovedby
thelevelIIIradiographer.Anymanuallycontrolledimageenhancementsspecifiedinthetechnique
shouldincludetherangeofadjustmentthatisallowed.

FederalWorkingGrouponIndustrialDigitalRadiography
GuidefortheQualificationofDigitalRadiographySystemsandProcesses,1February2012

7.1.6. GrayValueRangeTechniquesshouldspecifyanacceptablegrayvaluerangeoftheareaof
interest,similartoafilmdensityvalueusedinfilmradiography.Inaddition,thegrayvalueonthe
IQI/RQIshouldbewithin+/15%ofthegrayvalueastheareaofinterest.
7.1.7. ImageStorageTheformatforfilestorageshouldbespecifiedinthewrittentechnique
unlessspecifiedinasystemsoperationprocedurethatisapprovedbythelevelIIIradiographer.
7.2. TechniqueVerificationAlltechniquesshouldbeverifiedpriortoapprovalbythelevelIII
radiographer.Theverificationshouldsimulatetheinspectionascloselyasispractical.Thisverification
shouldensurethatthetechniqueandinspectionprocessarecapableofdetectingalldefectsspecifiedin
theinspectioncriteriaandshouldbewitnessedbyacustomerrepresentative.
7.2.1. VerificationPersonnelDuringthevalidation,theinspectionprocessshouldbeperformedby
thesamepersonnelwhowillbeperformingtheinspectiononcethetechniquehasbeenapproved.The
levelIIIradiographershouldwitnessthevalidationbutshouldnotparticipateinacapacitywhichis
atypicaloftheirnormalroleintheinspectionprocess.
7.2.2. WrittenTechniqueThetechniqueusedfortheverificationshouldbedocumentedpriorto
thestartoftheverification.Changesmadetothetechniqueduringtheverificationprocessmayrequire
theverificationtoberestartedatthediscretionofthelevelIIIradiographerand/orcustomer
representative.
7.2.3. SamplesforDemonstrationThepreferredmethodofverificationutilizesrealorsimulated
defects(RQIs)inablindtest.Ataminimum,theverificationshouldbedoneusingproduction
representativesamples.

8. Process Controls
8.1. Processcontrolsarerequiredinordertomaintainarepeatableandreliableinspection
process.Themajorqualitycontrolissuescenteraroundpersonnel,equipmentandprocedures.
8.2. ProcessControlsforDigitalDetectorArraysDigitalRadiographysystemsusingDigital
DetectorArraysshouldmeetthefollowingrequirementsasasupplementtotherequirementsspecified
inASTME2698.Inaddition,thesupplementalrecommendationsinAppendixX2shouldbeconsidered.
8.2.1. Software
8.2.1.1. LineProfileSoftwareforimageassessmentshouldbecapableofgeneratingaline
profile.Thisshouldincludetheabilitytogeneratealineprofileofavariablewidth
specifiedbytheuserinordertobeabletoperformthetestingspecifiedinASTM
E2737.
8.2.1.2. BadPixelPresentationSoftwareforimageassessmentshouldbecapableofturning
onandoffthedisplayofbadpixelsondemandbytheuser.
8.2.1.3. ImageEnhancementsSoftwareshouldhavethecapabilityofdisplayimageswithout
imageenhancementsandthenallowtheusertoapplyfilters,edgeenhancementsor
contrastenhancementsasdesired.
8.2.1.4. PreservationofOriginalDataSoftwareshouldretaintheoriginaldataifimage
enhancementsareapplied.
8.2.2. FileFormatandStorage
8.2.2.1. DICONDESoftwareshouldbecapableofsavingimagesinaDICONDEcompliantfile
formatinaccordancewithASTME2339.Thefullbitdepthoftheimage,asreadfrom
theDDA,shouldberetainedinthesavedimage.Imagesshouldbesavedinalossless
format.
8.2.2.2. DVDSystemsshouldbecapableofsavingdatatoDVDs.CDsmaybeusedforsmaller
inspections;however,anyinspectionthatcannotfitontoasingleCDshouldbe

FederalWorkingGrouponIndustrialDigitalRadiography
GuidefortheQualificationofDigitalRadiographySystemsandProcesses,1February2012

submittedonaDVD.DVDsusedforsubmittalofimagestothecustomershouldbe
writeonce(DVDRorDVD+R).
8.2.2.3. DICONDEHeadersInformationstoredintheDICONDEheadersshouldbeagreed
uponbetweentheinspectingactivityandtheCEO,thefollowingdatais
recommendedasaminimum:
Detectormanufacturerandmodel
Viewingsoftwareandversionnumber
Pixelpitch(inmicrons)
PartName,suchasnomenclature
PartIdentification,suchasDODICordrawingnumber
LotNumber
DateofInspection
InspectingActivity
8.2.2.4. DataArchivalDatashouldbearchivedinasecurelocationfortheminimumduration
specifiedinthecontract.
8.2.2.5. DigitalAnnotationIfdigitallabelingisused,itshouldnotpermanentlyalterthe
natureoftheimageorhinderinterpretationofanareawithintheimage.
8.2.3. ExceptionstoASTME2698
8.2.3.1. ScreenBrightnessContrastTestingFrequencyThetestfortheratioofscreen
brightnessatthemaximumandminimumDDLshouldbedonemonthlyratherthan
dailyasspecifiedinTableX1.
8.3. ProcessControlsforComputedRadiographyComputedRadiographysystemsshouldmeet
thefollowingrequirementsasasupplementtotherequirementsinASTME2033.Inaddition,the
supplementalrecommendationsinAppendixX2shouldbeconsidered.
8.3.1. FacilityConsiderations
8.3.1.1. Temperature&HumidityControlThefacilityshouldbecontrolledfortemperature
andhumidityinaccordancewiththerecommendationsoftheCRmanufacturer.
8.3.1.2. LightingRequirementsforImagingPlateHandlingAreaswheretheimagingplates
willbehandledshouldbeilluminatedwithsubduedbackgroundlighting,freefroma
highintensityoflightintheredspectrum,includingconventionaldarkroomsafelights
andsodiumvaporlights.Timethatimagingplatesareexposedoutsideoftheir
cassettesorholdersshouldbeminimized.
8.3.1.3. InterpreterLightAdaptationRadiographersshouldwaitsufficienttimeafterentering
theviewingareabeforeinterpretingtheradiographicimage.
8.3.2. Equipment,HardwareandMaterial
8.3.2.1. SourceCollimationThexraysourceshouldbeequippedwithadiaphragminfrontof
thetubetomaskoutallradiationwhichwouldnotpenetratetheregionofinterestin
theitemtobeinspected.
8.3.2.2. SourceFiltrationThexraysourceshouldbeequippedwithameanstoinstallfilters
atthesourcetofacilitatebeamhardeningwhenneededforimagequality.
8.3.2.3. FilterScreensFilterscreensshouldbeinintimatecontactwiththeimagingplatewith
theexceptionofathinlayerorcoatingtopreventdirectcontactbetweenthelead
andtheimagingplate.
8.3.2.4. BackscatterBackfilterscreensshouldbeusedforprotectionfrombackscattered
radiation.Leadorothersuitablematerialshouldbeusedbehindtheimagingplateto
preventscatteredradiation.

FederalWorkingGrouponIndustrialDigitalRadiography
GuidefortheQualificationofDigitalRadiographySystemsandProcesses,1February2012

8.3.2.5. PlaquePenetrameterMaterialPlaquepenetrametersshouldbeofthesamematerial
asthematerialtobeinspectedunlessotherwiseapprovedbytheCognizant
EngineeringOrganization.
8.3.2.6. IQIThicknessIQIsandshimsshouldrepresenttheareaofinterest.Thisisdefinedas
havingtheareaofinterestwithin+/15%ofthelinearpixelvaluethroughthebodyof
theIQI.TwoIQIsmaybeusedtoboundthethickestandthinnestpartsoftheareaof
interest.
8.3.3. Software
8.3.3.1. Window/LevelSoftwareforimageassessmentshouldbecapableofmanual
adjustmentoftheWindowandLevel.
8.3.3.2. ZoomSoftwareforimageassessmentshouldbecapableofmanualadjustmentofthe
Zoom.
8.3.3.3. GrayValueReadoutSoftwareforimageassessmentshouldbecapableofmeasuring
thegrayvalueofindividualpixels.
8.3.3.4. HistogramSoftwareforimageassessmentshouldbecapableofgeneratinga
histogramofanareaofinterest.Softwareshouldbecapableofcalculatingthemean
andstandarddeviationintheareaofinterest.
8.3.3.5. LineProfileSoftwareforimageassessmentshouldbecapableofgeneratingaline
profile.Thisshouldincludetheabilitytogeneratealineprofileofavariablewidth
specifiedbytheuser.
8.3.3.6. ImageEnhancementsSoftwareshouldhavethecapabilityofdisplayingimages
withoutimageenhancementaswellasprovidingthecapabilityforfiltering,contrast
enhancements,etc.ifdesired.
8.3.3.7. PreservationofOriginalDataSoftwareshouldretaintheoriginaldataifimage
enhancementsareapplied.
8.3.4. FileFormatandStorage
8.3.4.1. DICONDESoftwareshouldbecapableofsavingimagesinaDICONDEcompliantfile
format.Thefullbitdepthoftheimage,asreadfromthepanel,shouldberetainedin
thesavedimage.Imagesshouldbesavedinalosslessformat.
8.3.4.2. DVDSystemsshouldbecapableofsavingdatatoDVDs.CDsmaybeusedforsmaller
inspections;however,anyinspectionthatcannotfitontoasingleCDshouldbe
submittedonaDVD.DVDsusedforsubmittalofimagestothecustomershouldbe
writeonce(DVDRorDVD+R).
8.3.4.3. DICONDEHeadersInformationstoredintheDICONDEheadersshouldbeagreed
uponbetweentheinspectingactivityandtheCEO,thefollowingdatais
recommendedasaminimum:
CRsystemmanufacturerandmodel
Viewingsoftwareandversionnumber
Imagingplateserialnumberorotheruniqueidentifier
Pixelpitch(inmicrons)
ItemName,suchasnomenclature
ItemIdentification,suchasDODICordrawingnumber
LotNumber
DateofInspection
InspectingActivity
8.3.4.4. DataArchivalDatashouldbearchivedinasecurelocationfortheminimumduration
specifiedinthecontract.
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8.3.4.5. DigitalAnnotationIfdigitallabelingisused,itshouldnotpermanentlyalterthe
natureoftheimageorhinderinterpretationofanareawithintheimage.
8.3.5. Procedures
8.3.5.1. DailyDisplayTestingTestingofanymonitorsusedforassessmentofimagesshould
bedoneusingaSMPTERP133testpatternorequivalent.Processesforperforming
thesetestsshouldbespecifiedintheradiographicprocedures.Visualtestingwiththe
SMPTEtestpatternshouldbeperformeddailyandincludethefollowing:
Theimagedisplayshouldbecapableofdisplayinglinearpatternsofalternating
pixelsatfullcontrastinboththehorizontalandverticaldirectionswithout
aliasing.
Theimagedisplayshouldbecapableofdisplayinglinearpatternsofalternating
pixelsatlowcontrast(1%)inboththehorizontalandverticaldirectionswithout
aliasing.
Thedisplayshouldbefreeofdiscernablegeometricdistortion.
Thedisplayshouldbefreeofscreenflicker,characterizedbyhighfrequency
fluctuationsofhighcontrastimagedetails.
Theimagedisplayshouldbecapableofdisplayinga5%levelagainsta0%level
backgroundandsimultaneouslydisplayinga95%levelagainsta100%level
background.




















Figure1:SMPTERP133TestPattern

8.3.5.2. MonthlyDisplayTestingThefollowingtestsshouldbeperformedmonthlyusinga
calibratedlightmeterandtheSMPTERP133testpattern.Processesforperforming
thesetestsshouldbespecifiedintheradiographicprocedures.
Theminimumbrightnessasmeasuredofftheimagedisplayscreenatthe
maximumlevelshouldbe250cd/m2.

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Theminimumcontrastasdeterminedbytheratioofthescreenbrightnessatthe
maximumlevelcomparedtothescreenbrightnessandtheminimumlevel
shouldbe250:1.
8.3.5.3. DICONDEHeaderDataEntryProcessesformanualentryofdataintotheDICONDE
fieldsasrequiredin8.3.4.3shouldbespecifiedintheradiographicprocedure.Data
thatisautomaticallyrecordedintheDICONDEheadersbythesoftwaredoesnotneed
tobeaddressedintheprocedures.
8.3.5.4. DataArchivalandTransferProcessesProcessesfortransferofdatatothearchive
andpreparationofdataforsubmittaltothecustomershouldbespecifiedinthe
radiographicprocedures.
8.3.5.5. TotalImageUnsharpnessMaximumvaluesfortotalimageunsharpnessshouldbeas
determinedbytheLevelIII,agreeduponbytheCEOandspecifiedintheradiographic
procedures.Inspectionsthatrequirethedetectionofsmallindicationsshouldmeet
thelimitsspecifiedintheMAIGuidelinesfortheUseofDigitalDetectorArraysand
ComputedRadiologyforAerospaceCastingInspections,Section7.4.
8.3.5.6. AcceptableGrayscaleRangeMinimumandmaximumallowablegrayscalevaluesin
theareaofinterestshouldbespecifiedintheradiographicprocedures.
8.3.5.7. DeterminationofAdequateExposureLevelProcessesforverifyingthatexposure
levelsareadequatetoensurecontrastandminimizenoiseshouldbespecifiedinthe
radiographicprocedures.
8.3.5.8. HandlingofImageArtifactsProcessesforidentifyingandhandlingartifactsthat
mightmarkorbeconfusedwithdefectsinthematerialbeingexaminedshouldbe
specifiedintheradiographicprocedures.
8.3.5.9. UpdatingofArtifactMapsProcessesforupdatingtheartifactmapforeachimaging
platewhenanewartifactislocatedshouldbespecifiedintheradiographicprocedure.
8.3.5.10. HandlingofResidualImagesProcessesforidentifyingandhandlingresidualimages
leftoverfromapreviousexposureshouldbespecifiedintheradiographicprocedures.
8.3.5.11. CalibrationCalibrationofcomputedradiographicsystemsshouldbedoneusingthe
proceduresandfrequenciesrecommendedbythemanufacturer.
8.3.5.12. ImagingPlateFadingBasedontheresultsoftheimagingplatefadingtest,the
radiographicprocedureshouldspecifyamaximumtimebetweenexposureand
scanningoftheimagingplate.
8.4. LongTermStabilityMonitoringAprocessshouldbeinplaceformonitoringkeysystem
performanceparametersovertimeasallDigitalRadiographysystemsdegradeovertime.Thisprocess
shouldbedocumented,includingfrequency.
8.5. RequalificationPolicyDigitalRadiographysystemsshouldberequalifiedforuseafter
maintenanceorrepairsthatmayhaveaffectedimagequality.Theserequalificationproceduresand
policiesshouldbedocumented.Routinemaintenanceprocedureswhichdonotrequirerequalification
shouldbespecifiedintherequalificationpolicy.
8.6. PersonnelPersonnelshouldbetrainedandcertifiedinaccordancewithanapproved
certificationprogram.Thecertificationprogramshouldfollowconventionalcertificationrequirements
(i.e.asestablishedbyASNTTC1AorNAS410).ThecertificationprogramshouldspecificallyaddressDR
classroominstruction,onthejobtraining,experienceandtestingrequirements.Ofparticular
significanceistheDRknowledgeandexperienceoftheLevelIIIradiographerthatapprovethe
certificationandtrainingprogramandtheinspectionprocedures.LevelIIIandLevelIIradiographers
shouldbeknowledgeableandproficientwiththeparticularDRsystemthattheyintendtouse.Thelevel
IIIproficiencyshouldbesupportedbydocumentedDRtrainingand/orexperience.SeeAppendixX4.
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8.6.1. TheoryTrainingforLevelIIIRadiographersLevelIIIradiographersshouldreceiveaminimum
of40hoursofclassroomtheorytraininginDigitalRadiography.Thisisaboveandbeyondany
equipmentspecifictrainingprovidedbythemanufacturer.
8.6.2. TheoryTrainingforLevelIIRadiographersLevelIIradiographersshouldreceiveaminimum
of40hoursofclassroomtheorytraininginDigitalRadiography.Thisisaboveandbeyondany
equipmentspecifictrainingprovidedbythemanufacturer.
8.6.3. TheoryTrainingforLevelIRadiographersLevelIradiographersshouldreceiveaminimumof
20hoursofclassroomtheorytraininginDigitalRadiography.Thisisaboveandbeyondanyequipment
specifictrainingprovidedbythemanufacturer.

9. ReferenceDocuments
9.1. Thefollowingdocumentsarereferencedinthisguideormaybeusefultoactivitiesqualifying,
approvingand/orauditingDRsystems.
9.2. ASTMStandards:
E94StandardGuideforRadiographicExamination
E543StandardSpecificationforAgenciesPerformingNondestructiveTesting
E746StandardPracticeforDeterminingRelativeImageQualityResponseofIndustrial
RadiographicImagingSystems
E747StandardPracticeforDesign,ManufactureandMaterialGroupingClassificationofWire
ImageQualityIndicators(IQI)UsedforRadiology
E1000GuideforRadioscopy
E1025StandardPracticeforDesign,ManufactureandMaterialGroupingClassificaitonofHole
TypeImageQualityIndicators(IQI)UsedforRadiology
E1255StandardPracticeforRadioscopy
E1316StandardTerminologyforNondestructiveExaminations
E1411StandardPracticeforQualificationofRadioscopicSystems
E1441GuideforComputedTomography(CT)Imaging
E1453StandardGuideforStorageofMediathatContainsAnalogorDigitalRadioscopicData
E1475StandardGuideforDataFieldsforComputerizedTransferofDigitalRadiological
ExaminationData
E1647StandardPracticeforDeterminingContrastSensitivityinRadiology
E1695StandardTestMethodforMeasurementofComputedTomography(CT)System
Performance
E1735StandardTestMethodforDeterminingRelativeImageQualityofIndustrialRadiographic
FilmExposedtoXRadiationfrom4to25MeV
E1742StandardPracticeforRadiographyExamination
E1817StandardPracticeforControllingQualityofRadiologicalExaminationbyUsing
RepresentativeQualityIndicators(RQIs)
E2002StandardPracticeforDeterminingTotalImageUnsharpnessinRadiology
E2007StandardGuideforComputedRadiology(PhotostimulableLuminescence(PSL)Method)
E2033PracticeforComputedRadiology(PSLMethod)
E2339StandardPracticeforDigitalImagingandCommunicationinNondestructiveEvaluation
(DICONDE)
E2445StandardPracticeforQualificationandLongTermStabilityofComputedRadiologySystems
E2446StandardPracticeforClassificationofComputedRadiologySystems
E2597StandardPracticeforManufacturingCharacterizationofDigitalDetectorArrays
E2698StandardPracticeforRadiologicalExaminationUsingDigitalDetectorArrays
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E2736StandardGuideforDigitalDetectorRadiology
E2737StandardPracticeforDigitalDetectorArrayPerformanceEvaluationandLongTerm
StabilityMonitoring
9.3. AerospaceIndustriesAssociationDocument:
NAS410NASCertificationandQualificationofNondestructiveTestPersonnel
9.4. ASNTDocuments:
CP189StandardforQualificationandCertificationofNondestructiveTestingPersonnel
SNTTC1ARecommendedPracticeforPersonnelQualificationandCertificationinNondestructive
Testing
9.5. GovernmentStandard:
MILSTD746RadiographicTestingRequirementsforCastExplosives
9.6. OtherGovernmentDocuments:
NISTHandbook114GeneralSafetyStandardforInstallationsusingNonMedicalandSealed
GammaRaySources,Energiesupto10MeV
9.7. SMPTESpecification:
RP133SpecificationsforMedicalDiagnosticImagingTestPatternforTelevisionMonitorsand
HardCopyRecordingCameras

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APPENDIX

X1. ConsiderationsforSystemSelectionandQualification

X1.1 ImageQualityIndicators

Imagequalityisgovernedbytwofactors,imagecontrastandresolution.Thesefactorsare
interrelatedinacomplexmanner.Radiographicsensitivity,asindicatedbytheconventionalIQI,
measurescontrastandresolution.Anumberofdifferentdevices,suchaswirepenetrameters,
holepenetrameters,steps,mesh,etc.,havebeenusedtomeasureimagequality.Thesame
principlesapplyforDRsystemsasforotherradiographicmethods.SomeDRsystemsmay
requireseveraldevices,suchasIQIsandwiremesh,toassuretheproperimagequality.Inthose
instanceswhentheseIQIdevicesareinadequateincontrollingthequalityandrepeatabilityof
theDRimage,or,whenrepresentativecriterialevelsoftheacceptanceorrejectionofimagesof
discontinuitiesareimportant,RepresentativeQualityIndicators(RQIs)shouldbeused.

ImagequalityindicatorsmustbechosenwithcaretodemonstratetheDRsystemsabilityto
detectdiscontinuitiesorotherfeaturesthatareofinterest.ASTME1025holetype,ASTME747
wiretypeIQIs,andASTME1817RQIswithrealorsimulateddefects,tomatchtheapplication,
areallacceptableunlessaparticularIQIorRQIisspecifiedinthecontractualdocuments.The
selectedIQIorRQIshouldbedetailedinthewrittenprocedure.AnIQIorRQImaynotbe
requiredforthefollowingDRexaminations:
WhenperformingDRtoidentifyadequatedefectremovalorgrindout,thefinal
acceptanceexaminationshouldincludeanIQIorRQI,
Examinationstoshowmaterialdetailsorcontrastbetweentwoormoredissimilar
materials,incomponentparts,orinassemblies,includinghoneycombareasforthe
detectionoffabricationirregularities,thepresenceorabsenceofmaterial,orwater
detection.
Examinationsofelectroniccomponentsforcontamination,looseormissingelements,
solderballs,brokenormisplacedwiresorconnectors,andpottedassembliesforbroken
internalcomponentsormissingpottingcompound.

Standardpenetrameterssuchashole(ASTME1025)andwire(ASTME747)penetrametersare
readilyavailableandhavebeenusedsuccessfullyforfilmradiographyforyears.Thesestandard
penetrametersshouldbeonlyusedwiththeclearunderstandingofthecharacteristic
performancedifferencesbetweenfilmandtheDRsystem.Criticalimagingperformance
characteristicsforDRsystemsinclude:dynamicrange,signaltonoiseratio,imagelagand
contrastsensitivityandspatialresolution(ModulationtransferfunctionMTF).Ingeneralwhen
comparedwithfilm,DRsystemscanhavebetterdynamicrange,signaltonoiseratiosand
contrastsensitivity.However,filmgenerallyhasbetterspatialresolution.(Note:DRsystemcan
improvetheresolutionofthefinalimagebyusingmicrofocusxraymachineswithsmallspot
sizesandgeometricmagnification.Geometricmagnificationmayalsohelpreducethenegative
effectsofpartscatter.)Filmradiographywithitshigherspatialresolutioncommonlyusesthe
holetypepenetrameters.Thesepenetrametersgenerallycontainthreeholesofdecreasing
diameter.Ahole,withitslowspatialfrequencycharacteristics,doesnotrequireahighspatial
frequencycapabilityfordetectionbutthisisoflittleconcernforfilminspectionbecausethe

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highspatialfrequencydetectioncapabilitiesoffilmarewellknown.However,sincethespatial
frequencyresponsivecapabilitiesofDRsystemscandiffersignificantlybasedonthespecificDR
equipmentandtechniqueused,itmaynotbeappropriatetoassumethatifyoucanseethe
sameholeinaholetypepenetrameterwithaDRsystemasyoudowithfilm,thatyouwillhave
thesamehighspatialfrequencydetectioncapabilityasfilmandwillthereforedetectthesame
crackandseparationlikeindicationsthatfilmdoes.

Wiretypepenetrametershaverelativelysmalldiametersandthereforehaveahigherspatial
frequencycontentthantheholetypepenetrameters.Asaresult,thesemaybemore
appropriateforDRsensitivitytests.However,thewiresarequitelong.Inspectioncriteriaoften
callfordetectionofcrackandseparationtypeindicationsthatarefarshorterthanthewire
penetrameters.Twoofthecharacteristicsthatdeterminethedetectabilityofanindicationare
itssubjectcontrastanditsarea.Ifthewiresarelongerthantheinspectioncriteria,theywillbe
easiertodetectduetotheirlargerarea.Thisshouldbeconsideredpriortotheimplementation
ofstandardwirepenetrameters.

X1.1.1 WireTypeImageQualityIndicator

ThisIQIconsistsofagradedsetofwireswherethediametersizeincreasesbyafactorof
1.26asdescribedinPracticeE747.Thevisibilityoftheessentialwiredeterminesthe
sensitivityofthesystem.Thesmallestwireis0.005in.,therebylimitingtheirusefulness
forthinmaterials.Sincethecrosssectionofthewireisround,itisnotaffectedby
position.

Reference: ASTME74704
Notes: Specificationcoversthedesign,materialgroupingclassificationand
manufactureofgauge
Caveats: None

X1.1.2 HoleTypeImageQualityIndicator

ThisIQIisdescribedinTestMethodE1742andPracticeE1025.Itconsistsofaplaque
withthreedrilledholeswithdiameterequaltoone,two,andfourtimestheplaque
thickness(1T,2T,and4T).Theminimumplaquethicknessis0.127mm(0.005in.)and
theminimumholediametersare0.25mm(0.010in.),0.5mm(0.020in.)and1mm
(0.040in.)forthe1T,2T,and4Tholes.Mostcodesrequirethedetectionofthe2Thole
inaplaquethatis2%oftheobjectthickness.

Reference: ASTM102505
Notes: Specificationcoversthedesign,materialgroupingclassificationand
manufactureofgauge
Caveats: None

X1.2 ProcessControlStandards(Phantoms)

ProcessControlStandardsorPhantomsareacollectionoftargetsthatcanbeusedtoevaluate
variousaspectsofdigitalradiographysystemperformance.Targetscanbeeitherastandard
typeofIQIoracustomizedIQIdevelopedtomeetthespecificrequirementsofDigital

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Radiography.ThefollowingCRphantomsareusedforsystemcharacterizationand/orsystem
degradationmonitoring.Theyarenotusedtovalidateaparticulartechnique.

X1.2.1 CRPhantom

TheCRPhantomwasdevelopedspecificallyfortheevaluationofCRsystemsfor
industrialradiographyanditincorporatesavarietyofgaugescoveredbyASTM
Standards.SincethisdevicewasdevelopedbyASTMforgeneraluse,itcontainsafew
testtargetsthataresomewhatredundant,aswellassometargetsthatareunnecessary
forspecificusers.Forexample,twotypesofspatialresolutiongaugesareincluded,and
contrastgaugesforthreematerialtypes.Someusersmayfindthatadditionaltest
targetsorgaugesarenecessary,suchasadditionalcontrastgaugematerials,orthat
othertypesoftesttargetsprovidemorepertinentdatafortheirspecificinspection
applications.

Reference: ASTME244505
Notes: Specificationcoversthedesign,materialgroupingclassificationand
manufactureofgauge
Caveats: SeveraloftheincorporatedgaugesareapplicableonlytoCR.
Highcostmaybeaproblemforsmallerorganizations.
Developedforlowenergy.Maynotbesuitableforhighenergy.

X1.2.2 USAFComputedRadiographyProcessControlStandard(CRPCS)

BasedlooselyontheASTMPhantom,theUSAFCRPCSwasdevelopedbyAFRL/RXS
specificallyforCRsystemsusedforUSAFinspectionapplications.Thedesignapproach
wastoprovidealowcoststandardthatcouldbeevaluatedinatimelymannerwith
minimaluseofsoftwaretoolstointerpretimagedata.

Reference: USAFT.O.33B12;AFRLreportAFRLRXWPTR20094069
Notes: SometestsareidenticaltoASTME2445,whileothersareunique.Procedures
foruseoftheCRPCSdocumentedinUSAFT.O.33B12.
About1/3ofthecostoftheASTMPhantomatthetimeofthiswriting.
CoversnearlyallASTMteststosomeextent.Designrationaleprovidedin
AFRLreportAFRLRXWPTR20094069.Availablefromwww.ARINC.com
Caveats: None



X1.3 AutomaticImagingProcessingforPanelCalibrationandBadPixelCorrection

RadiographywithDigitalDetectorArraysallowsforfast,automaticcorrectionofproblems,
however,thiscapabilitycanonlybeusediftheradiographerfullyunderstandshowthese
correctionsworkandwhattheirpotentialproblemsmaybe.

X1.3.1 BadPixelMappingandCorrectionforDDA

ThereisnosuchthingasaperfectDDApanel;badpixelsand/orlinesarecreatedinthe
manufacturingprocessandmayincreaseovertime.Manufacturersofthesepanels

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havedevelopedautomaticprogramstocorrectforthesedefectpixelsand/orlines,
however,aradiographermustbeawarethatthedatawhichisgeneratedbythese
automaticprogramsissimulatedbaseduponsurroundingvaluesandisnotreal.For
thisreason,someradiographersmaychoosetodisablethisbadpixelcorrectioninorder
toensurethatdecisionsaremadebasedonvaliddata.Theuseofbadpixelcorrection
shouldonlybedonewithcustomerapproval.Radiographersshoulddeveloptoolsand
procedurestoensurethatbadpixelclustersorlinesarenotintheareaofinterest.

X1.4 BackscatteredRadiation

DigitalRadiographyisnodifferentforfilmradiographyinthatitcanbenegativelyaffectedby
backscatteredradiation.Thetraditionalmethodfortestingbackscatteredradiationas
describedinASTME1742Section6.22involvesplacingaletterBbehindthefilmholderand
checkingforthepresenceofthisletterontheprocessedfilm.Thistestmaybeinsufficientto
detectbackscatteredradiationatlevelswhichmaydecreasetheperformanceofaDigital
RadiographySystem.ThisisparticularlytrueinthecaseofDigitalDetectorArrayswhichusea
calibrationprogram.Thiscalibrationmaycorrectforthebackscatteredradiation,however,at
theexpenseofdynamicrange.Analternatetestingforbackscatteredradiationisprovided
here:

X1.4.1 BackscatterTestusingaLeadSheet

UsingtypicalvaluesforkV,mA,etc,exposethedigitaldetectorpanelorcomputed
radiographyimagingplatewithapieceof0.20leadsheetcoveringhalfofthebackof
thedetectororimagingplate.Repeattheexposure,movingtheleadsheettotheother
half.Viewthetwoimages,adjustingthewindow/levelcontrolstoviewthenoise.
Visuallyapparentdifferencesbetweenthetwoimagesaretheresultofbackscattered
radiation.

X1.5 PhysicalIdentifiers(Leadletters/numbers)

Unlikefilmradiography,digitalradiographysystemsprovideadditionaloptionsforidentification
ofthecomponentsbeinginspected,NDTfacility,dateofexamination,etc.Theseoptions
includedatafieldsincorporatedintotheDICONDEstandardandtextaddeddigitallytothe
processedimages.Theseoptionsbringadditionalrisks.ImagesstoredinDICONDEorsimilar
formatsmaybeexportedtoTIFForJPGformatsfordistributiontouserswholacktheabilityto
viewDICONDEimages.Theexportedimagesmaybelackingthedatafieldsthatprovidethe
requiredinformation,resultingindistributionofanimagewithnoidentifiersifanalternative
methodofmarking(suchasLeadletters/numbers)isnotalsoused.Inaddition,iftextisadded
digitallytotheprocessedimages,itmaydestroyinformationcontainedontheoriginalimageor
maycauseproblemsduringpostprocessing.ThelevelIIIradiographershouldconsiderthese
concernspriortodiscontinuingtheuseofleadletters/numbers.

Reference: ASTM174206,Paragraph6.4RadiographicIdentification
Notes: Sectiondescribestherequirementforidentificationofthecomponentsbeing
inspected,NDTfacility,dateofexamination,etc.
Caveats: Specificationdoesnotspecifyhowthisinformationmustbestored.Thisimpliesthat
anymethodisacceptable;lead,digitalannotation,fileheaders,etc.

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X2. RecommendationsforDigitalRadiographyProcessControls

ConversiontoDigitalRadiographyrequiresanumberofadditionalconsiderationsthatshouldbetaken
intoaccountwhendevelopingprocesscontrols.Theseconsiderationscanhaveasignificantimpacton
therepeatabilityoftheprocessandthedegradationwhichisinherenttoDigitalRadiography
equipment.Theserecommendationsmaynotbeapplicabletoallsystemsandshouldnotbeviewedas
requirements.

X2.1 ProtectionofDetectorsandImagingPlatesfromUnnecessaryExposure

TheperformanceofDDRpanelsandCRimagingplatesdegradeovertimebasedontheamount
ofradiationthattheyareexposedto.ThedegradationofaDDRpanelwilloccurregardlessof
whetherthedatafromthedetectoriscurrentlybeingprocessedorevenifthedetectorisnot
turnedon.Forthisreason,itisimportanttominimizetheexposureofthedetectororimaging
platetoradiation.

X2.1.1 ProtectionofDetectorinaMultiUseCabinetorBay

IfanxraycabinetorroomisnotexclusivelyusedforaspecificDDRpanelandthepanel
cannotbeeasilyremovedwhennotinuse,leadshieldingshouldbeplacedaroundthe
detectorwhenxraysarebeinggeneratedfortheexposureoffilmorotherDDR,CRor
realtimesystems.

X2.1.2 ProtectionofDetectorduringWarmup

Ifthedetectorcannotbeeasilyremovedwhennotinuse,leadshieldingshouldbe
placedbetweenthedetectorandthexraysourcewhenxraysarebeinggenerated
duringxraysourcewarmup.

X2.1.3 ProtectionofImagingPlatesandDetectorsfromOverexposure

InadvertentoverexposureofaDDRdetectorcancausepermanentdamage.Initial
techniquedevelopmentshouldbeconservativewhenselectingdoseratetoavoid
damage.CRimagingplatesexposedtohighenergiesordosesmaydeveloparesidual
imagethatisdifficultorimpossibletoremove.Removalofresidualimagesonimaging
platesmaybepossiblebyexposingtheIPtoauniformexposureandperformingseveral
erasurecycles.DDRdetectorsmayrequireadditionalleadshieldingfortheelectronics
ofthedetector,particularlyinapplicationsgreaterthan160kV.

X3. EquivalentPenetrameterSensitivity(EPS)TestingforComputedRadiography

EPSplatesareusedtoestablishacceptableexposurerangesforCRimagingplates.Traditional
filmbasedtechniqueshadacceptablefilmdensityranges.TheEPSplatesprovideameansfor
establishingarangeofacceptablepixelvaluessimilartotheacceptablerangerequirementsfor
filmdensity.ThereareEPSplatesforlowandhighenergyCR.TheEPSplatesareusedto
ensurethattheexposurelevelsaresufficient.

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ForlowenergyComputedRadiographySystems,theEPSperformanceandqualifiedpixelvalue
rangeofthesystemshouldbeestablishedbyvisualevaluationofComputedRadiography
imagesoftheASTME746RelativeImageQualityIndicatorsplacedona0.75inchabsorber(see
figureX3.1).EPSplaquesareusedbecausetheyallowtheradiographertodiscernsubtle
differencesinimagequalityasradiographicparametersarechanged.Materialsotherthanmild
steel,ascalledoutinASTME746,maybeused,buttheEPSplaquesandabsorbershouldbe
madeofthesamematerial.Thesurfacefinishoftheabsorbershouldbeamaximumof6.3m
(250in)Ragroundfinish,bothfaces.

ForhighenergyComputedRadiographysystems,suchasusedforlinearaccelerators,testing
canbeconductedusingthequalityindicatorsdescribedinASTME1735.Thesegaugesareused
onathickerabsorberplate,typically3to6inchesthickdependingontheenergylevelofthe
system.Inthecaseoflinearaccelerators,RADswillbeusedinplaceofmAsecondstoquantify
exposurelevel.Themethodologyforthetestingathighenergyisotherwisethesameas
describedhereforlowenergy.

FigureX3.1:ASTME746EPSplaquesplacedon0.75inchthickabsorber.


AligntheXradiationsourceintheapproximatecenteroftheplatebetweenthe#8and#10EPS
plaques(platesmaybeslightlyseparatedforthispurpose).FocalDetectorDistance(FFD)should
beaminimumof36inches(or1meter)fromXraysource.Generalradiographictechnique
parametersshouldbeconsistentwithhowthesystemwillbeusedforinspections.Radiograph
theplateserieswithaminimumof10exposuresusingsimilartechniqueparametersforthe
desiredrangeofpixelvaluesfromminimumtomaximumofthespecificscanneroperational
parametersemployed(i.e.theonlytechniquevariableisexposuretime).Exposuresshould
rangefromatleast10%maxpixelvalue(MPV)to90%MPVandbeapproximatelydistributed
withinthequalifiedPVrange.Determinethepixelvalue(PV)intheapproximatecenterofthe
computedradiographonthebaseplatebetweenthe#8and#10EPSplaquesinanareafreeof
anyholesoralternatively,withinacentralareaofthebaseplatealongsidetheEPSplaques.All

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CRsystemprocessingparameters,energylevelandexposuredataforeachexposureshouldbe
recordedandmaintained.

Foreachexposure,recordtheEPSperformancebydeterminingtheduplexrowwherea
minimumof20holes(outof30holesineachduplexrow)areclearlyvisible.TableX3.1provides
EPSvaluesperASTME1025foreachduplexrowonthestandardshowninFigureX3.1.Table
X3.2providesthecalculatedEPSvaluesforthehighenergyEPSplaqueswhenusedwitha3inch
absorber.


step holedia plate EPS%
thickness (inches) thickness
(inches) (inches)
0.015 0.028 0.750 1.93
0.015 0.025 0.750 1.83
0.015 0.023 0.750 1.75
0.010 0.031 0.750 1.66
0.010 0.028 0.750 1.58
0.010 0.025 0.750 1.49
0.008 0.028 0.750 1.41
0.008 0.025 0.750 1.33
0.008 0.023 0.750 1.28
0.005 0.032 0.750 1.19
0.005 0.028 0.750 1.12
0.005 0.025 0.750 1.05
0.005 0.023 0.750 1.01
0.005 0.020 0.750 0.94

TableX3.1:TableofEPSValuesLowEnergy



step holedia plate EPS%
thickness (inches) thickness
(inches) (inches)
0.063 0.118 3.000 2.02
0.063 0.072 3.000 1.58
0.050 0.072 3.000 1.41
0.050 0.060 3.000 1.29
0.038 0.060 3.000 1.13
0.038 0.048 3.000 1.01
0.025 0.056 3.000 0.88
0.025 0.046 3.000 0.80
0.025 0.037 3.000 0.72

TableX3.2:TableofEPSValuesHighEnergy

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Generateagraphofthepixelvalueversusexposurelevelanddetermineifthesystemexhibitsa
linearrelationshipbetweenpixelvalueandexposurelevelforanyexposurelevelrangeas
showninFigureX3.2.

FigureX3.2:GraphofPixelvaluevsExposureLevel

Ifthepixelvalueresponsewasdeterminedtobelinear,generateagraphoftheEPSvalue
versuspixelvalueshowninFigureX3.3.Establishthequalifiedminimumtomaximumpixel
valuerangeasthepixelvaluerangethatexhibitsarelativelylowandconsistentEPSvalue.If
thereisnoevidenceofdegraded(higher)EPSatgreaterthan85%MPV,themaxPVmaybe
assumedtobe100%(e.g.inFigureX3.3,thequalifiedpixelvaluerangewouldbeapproximately
15100%MPV).

FigureX3.3:GraphofEPSvsGrayValue

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FederalWorkingGrouponIndustrialDigitalRadiography
GuidefortheQualificationofDigitalRadiographySystemsandProcesses,1February2012

RecordtheEPSperformanceasthemaximumEPSvalueintheEPSplateau.For
longtermstabilitytests,EPSonlyneedstobeverifiedatasinglepointatthebeginningofthis
EPSplateau(i.e.onlyoneexposurerequired,correspondingtotheminimumpixelvalue
requiredtobeonthisEPSplateau).

Forsystemsthatdonotexhibitalinearresponsetoexposurelevel,thismethodologycannotbe
usedtoestablishanacceptablepixelvaluerangeandpixelvaluecannotbeusedtoensure
adequateexposurelevel.Itispossibletoensureadequateexposurelevelsinotherways.One
exampleistodetermineifcorrelationsexistsbetweenSignaltoNoiseratioandEPSvaluein
additiontobetweenSignaltoNoiseratioandexposurelevel.Asexposurelevelincreases,
SignaltoNoiseratiowillincreaseuptoacertainpointandleveloff.Forthesesystems,
minimumSNRcanbedeterminedandspecifiedinprocedures.Procedurescanthenbewritten
tocheckforminimumSNRintheareaofinterestforeachtechnique.Toverifythatthis
methodologyisperformingasexpected,itwillbenecessarytotestnewtechniquesatdifferent
exposurelevelsandverifythattheSNRrespondsasexpected.

X4. PersonnelTrainingandCertification

Withintheindustrialradiographiccommunity,thereisalackofDRtrainingopportunities.Themajority
ofthetrainingclassesofferedtodatehavebeenofferedbyhardwaremanufacturers(OEMs)andmay
havebeenlimitedmoretoequipmentoperationthantoapplication.Giventhissituation,personnel
knowledgeandexperiencemaybeaconsiderableconcern.Acarefulreviewofpersonnelknowledge
andexperience,specificallythatoftheLevelIII,isrecommended.TheFederalWorkingGroupon
IndustrialDigitalRadiographyhasdevelopedatrainingcurriculumforLevelIIIradiographersthatis
intendedtobegivenasa40hourclassroomclass.Thisisanoverviewoftheknowledgethatis
necessaryforsettingupaDigitalRadiographyoperation.Severalprovidersnowoffercoursesthathave
beendevelopedbaseduponthiscurriculum.Additionally,theFWGIDRhasdevelopedtraining
curriculumsforLevelIandLevelIIradiographersthatcanbeusedasabasisfordevelopingclassroom
trainingforusersofDigitalRadiographysystems.

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FederalWorkingGrouponIndustrialDigitalRadiography
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X5. SuggestedListingofHardwareandSoftwareforConfigurationManagementControl

X5.1 SystemInformation

SystemManufacturer_______________SystemModelNumber________________

SerialNumber______________DateofManufacturer___/___/_____

SystemConfiguration:Cabinet______orWalkinRoom______

ScanPlan:ManualControlY/N ProgramControlY/N

Accept/RejectDecision:ManualY/N ComputedAidedY/N AutomaticY/N

SourcetoDetectorDistance_____inchto______inch

TargettoDetectorDistance_____inchto______inch

X5.2 XRayGeneratingSystem

ControllerManufacturer_____________Model______________UnderSystemControlY/N

TubeManufacturer_______________Model________________

GeneratorManufacturer_______________Model________________

Conventional_______;Minifocus_______;Microfocus_______;kVRange______to______

MinimummA_________;MaximummA________;RippleathighestmA___________kV;

kVmeasurement:Primary_______orVoltageDivider______;

LargeFocalSpot____mmx____mm,____watts;SmallFocalSpot____mmx____mm,____watts;

Inherentfiltration________;Additionalfiltration_________;

X5.3 PrimaryBeamSourceCollimator

Manufacturer_______________Model________________UnderSystemControlY/N

VariableOpeningfrom______mmX______mmto______mmX______mm

FixedOpening______mmX______mm

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FederalWorkingGrouponIndustrialDigitalRadiography
GuidefortheQualificationofDigitalRadiographySystemsandProcesses,1February2012

X5.4 ComputedRadiography

Manufacturer_______________Model________________

SoftwareandVersion_____________________________________________________

ImageDimensions_______mmx________mm;PixelDimensions_______pixelsx________pixels

BitDepth______bits

ImagingPlateType________________

X5.5 DigitalDetectorArray

Manufacturer_______________Model________________

SoftwareandVersion_____________________________________________________

ImageDimensions_______mmx________mm;PixelDimensions_______pixelsx________pixels

BitDepth______bitsFrameAveraging_____to_____frames;

X5.6 SystemSoftware

SystemControlSoftwareandVersion_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

SystemCalibrationSoftwareandVersion___________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

ImageProcessing/EnhancementSoftwareandVersion________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

X5.7 ImageStorageDevice

Manufacturer_______________Model________________

SoftwareandVersion_____________________________________________________

Capacity_______Gb;Redundancy___________________________________________

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FederalWorkingGrouponIndustrialDigitalRadiography
GuidefortheQualificationofDigitalRadiographySystemsandProcesses,1February2012

X5.8 ImageFormat

InternalFileType_______________;BitDepth_____bits

ExportableFileType(s) _______________;BitDepth_____bits

_______________;BitDepth_____bits

_______________;BitDepth_____bits

_______________;BitDepth_____bits

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