Computerised tomography option available for X-ray inspection system

15 November 2006 Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services

Dage Precision Industries has developed a computerised tomography (CT) option for its XiDAT XD7600NT digital X-ray inspection system.

This new CT option is available for the company's award-winning XD7600NT X-ray inspection system and now facilitates volumetric reconstruction of solder joints.

Computerised tomography is an imaging method employing tomography whereby digital geometric processing is used to generate a three-dimensional (3D) image model of an object from a large series of individual two-dimensional (2D) X-ray images, or slices, taken about a single axis of rotation.

This new CT capability is available as an option with new systems and is suited for analytical analysis of interconnections for critical applications such as stacked die, MEMS, package-in-package and package-on-package. With this CT option, the XD7600NT has the ability to very quickly and easily convert between 2D and 3D modes for different inspection applications, and is capable of ultra fast image reconstruction and of reconstructing a high number of image slices - up to 1440.

With increasing packaging densities, the use of 2D inspection systems is limited, requiring 3D analysis of solder interconnections for many applications such as stacked die. Conventional 3D systems are expensive, have low resolution and slow processing times, and generally do not deliver the analysis performance required for critical, high-density applications.

Dage's approach was to develop a fast, reasonably priced solution that offers suitable resolution in a common platform compatible with its current lineup of digital X-ray inspection systems. The end result is the XD7600NT with CT option that combines digital geometric processing software with the high resolution Dage NT250 X-ray tube.

A reconstructed 3D image model can be viewed on-line or off-line with dedicated image hardware allowing realtime manipulation of 3D models. Image display features include:

* Image manipulation - rotate, pan and zoom.

* Clip image - to eliminate unwanted detail.

* Volume rendering - for creation of solid surfaces and maximum intensity, and to vary the opacity and colour of volumes.

* Slices - multiple cross-section at any orientation and the ability to vary the opacity and colour of individual slices.

* Illumination models - single light source or two light sources with shadow computation for optimal 3D perception.

* Image save - saving 2D images in JPG or TIF formats.

The XD7600NT equipped with the CT option is capable of full 3D inspection of samples, full 2D imaging of any point across the entire 458 x 407 mm inspection area, and rapid and easy conversion between 2D and 3D modes.

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