Faxitron MX-20 detector and head auctions - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Alex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2017, 02:14:38 pm
content: Heads-up:1)http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=142255357986#ht_500wt_11572)http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/142255367808?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2017, 05:59:25 pm
content: I bought the whole head unit as 100% spares for my MX-20. Sadly could not afford the camera array as well this month as we have a new kitten in the household and they are expensive !My thanks to Alex for making these parts available to buy. If my microfocus tube ever fails I can now replace it with this spare heads tube.For those wondering what I bought, a picture is attached.Fraser

author: lukier
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 26, 2017, 06:38:50 pm
content: I was seriously considering buying both, being prepared to DIY some readout circuitry from the CCD.But then I realized two thingsthat these are just the top & bottom parts and making a nice & safe enclosure with very little mech. eng. capabilities I have will be extremely difficult, more than the DIY CCD interface,from what I remember form other threads here, Faxitron's 35kV is not really powerful enough for PCBs (my main reason for an Xray machine).Bummer

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2017, 07:17:09 pm
content: Hi Lukier,Yes I agree Making a new case would be challenging if you do not have access to appropriate mechanical workshop equipment and knowledge of making such cabinets. It might be possible to re-purpose a commercial cabinet of some sort. No lead is required or used in the MX-20 as the penetration of the MX-20's X-Ray energy is very limited in steel. 1mm steel massively attenuates such X-Ray energy.I have a gorgeous little Faxitron DX-50 high resolution X-Ray machine in my garage. I am configuring it fro my friend in the medical recycling industry. It is very unusual in that it has the 120mm x 120mm Hamamatsu USB camera array fitted. The DX-50 normally comes with the much smaller and cheaper 50mm x 50mm camera array. It produces lovely images but the inspection chamber is only a little larger that the dimensions of the imaging array. Approx 160mm x 160mm x 200mm. Sadly a little small for PCB work.For proper PCB X-Ray analysis you need a far more powerful X-Ray source. Think 80 to 250KVp and that is enough to inspect BGA balls etc. 160KVp will work pretty well too. At these hard X-Ray energy levels serious lead shielding is required. That means high cost and high weight. Such cabinet X-Ray machines are seriously large and heavy. Not something I want in my garage. Maintenance and licencing is also an issue. The X-Ray generator usually uses a metal Microfocus X-Ray 'tube' that contains a replaceable Tungsten electron emitter filament. The 'tube' has to be vacuumed down to a very hard vacuum to permit the use of such high tube voltage levels. Flash-over occurs if the vacuum is not adequate. High performance turbine vacuum pumps are used to create the vacuum. These pumps normally run 24/7/365 so have to be very high quality..... i.e very expensive. The target also has to be heavily cooled using a wet cooling system and associated thermal radiator and cooling plant.Stepping up from a 35KVp MX-20 to a proper PCB inspection cabinet system is a massive leap in cost, complication and weight. Hence why such is rare, even in small companies that build electronics. I can image through multi layer PCB's as copper and FR4 is not too dense. The digital camera used in the MX-20 is very sensitive so what little X-Ray energy makes it through the PCB is made the most of. The MX-20 cannot image through lead solder joints as lead effectively stops the 35KVp generated X-Ray energy dead in its tracks. It has still been a very useful tool though. You can see missing, irregular and bridged balls under a BGA chip or leadless IC's. You cannot see fractures or occlusions within the lead balls.Key to success is a decent microfocus X-Ray generator for small spot size and a very sensitive digital imaging array. Then there is the digital image enhancement provided by the cameras image processing software.Fraser

author: lukier
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 26, 2017, 07:38:04 pm
content: Quote from: Fraser on January 26, 2017, 07:17:09 pmHmm that is way more involved than I expected. I imagined something along Mike's baggage or postal X-ray machines (or what dentists use), not an industrial scale 24/7 setup (I don't even have a turbomolecular pump, only a simple rotary vane one).Quote from: Fraser on January 26, 2017, 07:17:09 pmOK, lead solder stops 35kV, but as you say still very useful for the common, larger scale, defects and general geekery (e.g. checking where screws are or like when you scanned Toneohm probes). Good to know, I might setup an eBay search for MX-20 then.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2017, 07:57:42 pm
content: @Lukier,Sadly baggage scanner type X-Ray machines are relatively low resolution devices and in order to remain safe, they are limited output energy. Dentist X-Ray runs at 65-75KVp and can penetrate bone but not much metal thickness. Hence why fillings appear opaque. Higher energy levels become an issue with patient and staff safety. Hospital X-Ray rooms are often lined with lead to contain scattered X-Ray energy !My supplier of Faxitron MX-20 machines has a current retail price on them of around £1500. That may sound like a lot of money but the 120mm x 120mm digital camera array was a £24K option !Fraser

author: Alex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2017, 09:24:34 pm
content: Quote from: lukier on January 26, 2017, 06:38:50 pmYou must have missed the auction for the full unit before these.Quote from: Fraser on January 26, 2017, 07:57:42 pmFully kitted I presume?Alex

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2017, 10:04:14 pm
content: @Alex,Yes, Digital MX-20 on dedicated trolley, complete with LCD monitor and fully configured MSI PC = £1500. When available. A turn key solution.Fraser

author: Alex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2017, 10:10:12 pm
content: Quote from: Fraser on January 26, 2017, 10:04:14 pmAha! For a moment I thought one was available.Alex.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 26, 2017, 10:23:19 pm
content: There will be a DX-50 with DC12 (120x120) camera once I have loaded the SR software and configured it. It goes back to owner for selling shortly.Fraser