Overview
X‑ray Sources
Flash X‑ray systems provide a unique method of imaging very fast events which cannot be captured using normal photographic techniques. L3Harris technology can obtain X‑ray images in 20 to 50 nanoseconds even through smoke, fire and metal. Even under the harshest conditions precise details of a test event can be recorded.
X‑ray Tubes
Tubes are available both for direct mount and for remote tube head configurations. L3Harris also provides multiple head machines that allow an event to be recorded from multiple angles at the same time or in a rapid-fire sequence.
Remote X‑ray Controller and Power Supply
How are L3Harris products unique?
Using flash X‑ray systems provides a unique method of imaging very fast events, which cannot be captured utilizing normal high speed and ultra-high speed photographic techniques. L3Harris technology can obtain flash X‑ray images in 20 billionths of a second looking through all types of debris as a result of a ballistics or explosive event such as smoke, fire, plastics and metal.
What makes their use a critical enabler for important testing?
L3Harris offers flash X‑ray systems from 150 kV to 1.0 MV that provides a burst of X‑rays with substantial X‑ray penetration and extremely short X‑ray exposure times that produces stop-motion radiography of high-speed projectiles, fragments, internal components, target dynamics, energetic materials and other dynamic parameters involved in the study of rapidly moving objects.
Why is the testing important?
The flash X‑ray technology has become the primary imaging and engineering diagnostic tool on nearly every ballistic and explosive test range worldwide. Without flash X‑ray imaging the scientist, physicist nor engineer would be able to record precise internal details and structures of dynamic test events. More importantly flash X‑ray imaging enables the researcher to validate engineering models and designs which are primary to the development of nearly every military weapon and protection system supporting the warfighter past or present.
What are some interesting existing uses of L3Harris systems?
Testing and imaging capabilities:
- Explosively formed projectiles
- Improvised explosive devices
- Shock dynamics
- Hyper velocity impact studies
- Shaped charge jet profiles
- Energetic materials
- X‑ray crystallography
- Thermobaric reaction
- Kinetic penetrators
- Ballistic flight dynamics
- Motion analysis
- Body armor and helmets
What are some L3Harris technology innovations in radiography?
L3Harris has worked hard to keep up with the demanding requirements of test and evaluation customers. Some recent innovations include:
- Full remote control High Voltage Power Supply (HVPS)
- Fiber optic interface
- Object oriented system control software
- Fully integrated remote control all-in-one trigger generator, delay generator, and pulse event timer (XCON)
- Full remote control gas controls
- Plug-and-play X‑ray tubes
- Oil filled cable that will not break down even with use with 1 MV
- Right angle and straight line remote tubeheads for all voltages
- 450 kV and 1 MV capacity system for greater X‑ray penetration
- Specialized X‑ray sources and X‑ray tubes
- Soft and mono-chromatic X‑ray imaging
- Ballistic imaging stations
- Mobile X‑ray facilities for ballistic test ranges
- Integration of computed radiograph and digital radiography imaging as the primary image acquisition
