X-ray enclosure design and prototype for non-destructive testing of net shape parts from particulate materials

This paper focuses on the design and realization of a mobile enclosure that was developed specifically for a non-destructive testing (NDT) device, based on digital radiography (DR), towards enabling online quality assurance of green powder metallurgy (PM) parts. In PM there are typical defects, microscopic cracks, porosity and voids, internal to parts that without an effective detection system, may limit the growth of the industry. Compared to typical (e.g. destructive, based on sampling of parts and metallography) testing methods DR provides full coverage of defect detection. This paper establishes the importance and advantages of an automated NDT system for the PM industry with a particular emphasis on the enclosure and structural aspects for functionality of the developed system in factory environment. Moreover; it illustrates the design and building process, discusses the possible routes for further improvement: light weighting design, adaptation to other net-shape processes; additive manufacturing, 3D printing that are of rapidly growing interest to several industries.