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Introduction

The X-Ray Image Logger (XMSL) takes X-Ray images from whole-round sections and section-halves.

Procedures

• Preparing the Instrument

1. Double-click the IMS icon (Figure 1). IMS initializes the instrument, tests instrument comunications, home the pusher arm of the motion control system and verify Dark and Light Calibration images. For more information refer to the XMSL User Guide.

Figure 1.- IMS icon.

1. Prior to imaging cores, especially at the start of an expedition, the user must:
   1. Test the exposure parameters in the imaging utility (Go to Imaging Utility Section).
   2. Set the exposure parameters in the Measurement Editor (DAQ > Measurement Editor).
   3. Adjust the automatic image processing settings (Image Processing Secion)

NOTE: Ask the PP technitian to help you with these steps.

• Set exposure parameters

1. Select DAQ > Measurement Editor from the IMS panel menu. This window allows the user to view and adjust the XMSL Data Acquisition (DAQ) parameters (Figure 2).
   1. Interval: Number of centimeters the core will move between each image. This value is hardcoded in the IMS software and cannot be changed in this window. This interval guarantees image overlap and maximizes system efficiency. Default interval is set at 12 cm.
   2. Width: Fixed length of the image produced. This value is dependent on the detector and hardware setup. Each image is 15 cm in length, but due to projection, we see less than 15 cm of the core section in the image.
   3. Stack: Number of x-radiographs taken at each position. These images are stacked and averaged to produce the final raw image. Twenty images is the standard as stacking more images does not appear to improve the image quality further. See the User Guide, Image Stacking section for more explanation.
   4. Exposure Time: The duration of each exposure in milliseconds.
   5. kV: X-ray tube voltage. Maximum voltage for the source is 120 kV. Lowering the voltage while maintaining the number of x-rays penetrating the core (longer exposure or higher current) will increase image contrast.
   6. mA: X-ray tube current. Maximum current for the source is 1 mA. Increasing the current will increase contrast if voltage is kept constant.

Figure 2.- XMSL Measurement Editor Window. From dpinero

1. Once the parameters are set click 'Accept Changes'. To revert any changes back to the original settings click 'Cancel Changes'.

• Making a Measurement

1. Place section in the core tray. Make sure the section is oriented blue endcap towards the X-Ray source (Figure 3).

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Full= Whole round.
Half= Section half.

1. START Copy from SHMSL (Figure 4).

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Figure 6.- X-Ray status. X-ray Status Window (left). As the source ramps up, the measured values will update.

1. Once the mA and kV are stable, the window will close and image acquisition will begin.  The user may abort at any time by clicking the Abort button.
2. Once the top of core is located, the pusher will automatically move the section to the proper location over the detector and begin imaging.  The user interface will have a display as shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7.- IMS Display During Imaging. Main features of this window include: Abort button, raw image display, imaging parameters display, X-ray source temperature graph, histogram of pixel value and displays of the pixel values along the length and width of the image.

1. The system will automatically take images along the section until the actuator reaches its limit switch, at which time it will return to the home position and the source will ramp down.
2. The Sample ID information window will reappear on the screen (Figure 8).

Figure 8.- Sample Information Window- Pusher End Sequence View.

1. Place the XMSL Whole round or section-half Pusher section onto the track.
2. Close the load end door.
3. Select Pusher end sequence in the Sample ID window.  The source will ramp back up and the motion control system will continue to push the section through the x-ray system.
4. X-Rays OFF
5. Figure 9 will be displayed when the X-ray Off command is sent to the CP120 source.  The window will be displayed until the kV has been confirmed to be at zero.
6. You will also see this window flash on during X-Ray START when the CP120 fails to respond to the start command.  The X-ray off will reset communications with the CP120 and bring it to a known state which will clear any communication issue.

Figure 9.- X-Ray OFF status window.

1. When the imaging is complete, IMS will automatically process the raw images and output them to the AUX_DATA folder.  These are not the primary processed images, but are available for quick image evaluation.  The raw images output to the DATA > IN Folder. For more information on IMS image processing, see the Automatic Image Processing section in the user guide.

Note: Recalibrate the detector if the detector grid pattern becomes visible in the images.


NOTE: During imaging, the user can use the software abort button to end the imaging process and ramp down the source.  The abort button is available when the x-ray source is ramping up and during the imaging process.
If the abort button is used, a dialog window will appear (Figure 9). Once pressed, imaging will end and the user will need to start imaging the section from the beginning.  Dialog window options are:
Return to Load Position: Actuator returns to the home position. User will need to manually remove core
Stop and Do Nothing:  Actuator will remain in place.  Use this option if the section had jammed in the XMSL or is there is a hardware issue.


Figure 9- Dialog when after user selects abort during imaging.  The x-ray source will automatically ramp down once abort is selected.  The section in the imager will need to be restarted from the beginning once abort is selected.

Credits

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Archive Versions

X-ray Image Logger QSG - 25022020