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38 SMT007 MAGAZINE I OCTOBER 2024 Some will answer with a definitive "I just don't need to." Of course, it's true that there are many prod- ucts for which X-ray inspection can add lit- tle value. at said, if you are working on the assumption that your widgets can't benefit from X-ray validation somewhere in the manu- facturing process, I hope that you have reached that conclusion because you have imaged those widgets on a contemporary, high-reso- lution, real-time imaging system. Quite oen, we image samples for a prospective client based on a specific need, and find that there is additional, unanticipated information to be gleaned from getting a peek inside their prod- uct. True, you may not need X-ray, but as an imaging enthusiast, I'd encourage you to stay curious. Be open to the possibility that there may, in fact, be something you can learn in the process, and at little or no cost. I can't think of a single X-ray system manufacturer who doesn't offer complimentary sample studies. "Radiation can damage my product." ere are exceptions, of course, (we wouldn't want to X-ray photographic film), but for most things, including micro-electronics, there is virtually no way X-ray is going to alter or harm a product during the imaging process. Yes, there are theoretical situations in which X-ray power and exposure time could do potential harm to sensitive materials, but the parameters that could lead to such an outcome are both pre- dictable and easily avoided. Take micro-elec- tronics, for example. All those chips that make our iPhones, pacemakers, laptops, or glucose monitors tick will receive a far greater dose of radiation exposure on a transcontinental air- line flight than in a typical industrial inspection system. Keep in mind that most packages are X-rayed by customs and shipping companies at energy levels far superior to the ones inside imaging X-ray systems. "ey are too complicated to use." You're not kidding. Some X-ray inspection equipment is excruciatingly difficult to use, and can require extensive training and dedi- cated staff to truly utilize. If you've had experi- ence on such a system, it could certainly color your view on the usefulness of X-ray equip- ment, especially in a manufacturing capac- ity. Fortunately, spurred in part by the move toward Industry 4.0, many X-ray inspection systems are far more user friendly than their predecessors. X-ray machines don't have to be intimidating, and can be remarkably easy to train on and use. With skilled operators in scarce supply, you may even opt for fully auto- mated systems, operating autonomously with the help of artificial intelligence soware. Not only do such tools reduce demands on staff, but they can eliminate human error, and pro- vide instantaneous data about your manufac- turing process. Yes, X-ray equipment can be complicated, but it doesn't have to be. "X-rays aren't safe." e simple fact is that exposure to high lev- els of radiation can be dangerous. It is also true that radiation exposure is virtually inescapable, as background radiation from cosmic rays, common building materials, even food, sur- round us 24/7. Early X-ray system were down- right dangerous, especially for their operators, but modern X-ray equipment includes highly effective shielding that prevents radiation from escaping their cabinets. How effective? Quite oen, an X-ray cabinet will release less radia- tion than background radiation of the manu- facturing environment in which it operates. "X-ray machines are too big." Of course, you've seen those X-ray cabinets that are bigger than your entire lab. But just as we no longer have to put up with shoehorning a "brick" of a mobile phone into our jacket pock- ets, X-ray systems are available in significantly