Shaw Inspection Systems, a leader in the development of digital non-destructive testing systems, has seen record growth in its contract x-ray Computed Tomography (CT) service work as more customers seek to take advantage of the company’s ability to examine larger sized objects and produce very clear three dimension x-ray images.

“We performed more CT scans under our service contracts in the first quarter of this year than we did for all of 2007.” said Steve Drake, General Manager of Shaw Inspection Systems. “Recently we have seen a lot of large composite components and aluminium castings for aerospace applications and we have been working very successfully with Ford in the automotive sector.”

Ford has its own in-house x-ray inspection system, but outsources time-consuming imaging such as CT scans and large objects. Shaw Inspection Systems can handle much larger objects than Ford is able to do. Shaw also provides very clear results and fast turnaround times.

Shaw Inspections Systems is one of the few companies offering x-ray CT inspection services that can handle larger components. Using its Modular X-Ray Bay it can handle large components up to 200kg in weight, 1m in diameter and up to 2m in height. It can also fit the bay with a variety of x-ray sources and detectors to meet varying needs. The most common configuration uses a 450kV industrial x-ray tube, with a 16 inch Perkin Elmer flat panel detector.

"Using our powerful IMPS III software we can stack CT volumes, and scan objects with a larger diameter than the width of the detector, by carefully controlled movement of either the detector of the component.” Steve Drake added. “We commonly scan components three to four times the height of the detector and two to three times the width."

Shaw Inspection Systems specialist inspection services include all radiographic techniques including: Real Time Radiography (RTR); Digital Radiography (DR); 2D & 3D Computed Tomography (CT); Computed Radiography (CR); and Film Digitisation.

Sample CT imagery is available to view in the Shaw Inspection Systems image library at: http://www.shawinspectionsystems.com/library/library.htm.

For more information about Shaw Inspection Systems’ Computed Tomography and other services email: sales@sis.shawcor.com

Media Contact: Doug Bentall
Iona Communications
Tel: +44 (0) 1732 360915
Mobile: +44 (0)7799 615319
E-mail: doug@ionacommunications.com.