Quality control testing of radiographic and fluoroscopic imaging systems requires positioning of test objects in the x‐ray beam in a precise and repeatable fashion. In this work we present several three‐dimensional (3D) printed testing aids that improve efficiency, accuracy, and repeatability of quality control testing. We also present a new device for determining the location of the perpendicular ray in radiographic systems. These devices were designed in an open source software program (OpenScad, http://www.openscad.org) and 3D models were saved in .stl format for printing. The models were printed on either a MakerBot Replicator 2 or Replicator Z18 printer (MakerBot Industries, LLC, Brooklyn, NY). The testing aids were printed using polylactic acid (PLA) filament. To investigate the radiographic characteristics of the PLA used, test articles were printed and used to measure the half‐value layer (HVL) thicknesses in mm of PLA and half‐value densities (HVD) in g/cm2 of PLA for two different colors and over a wide range of radiographic beam qualities, using a portable fluoroscopic c‐arm system. HVL thicknesses of clear PLA ranged from approximately 20 mm at 50 kV nominal tube voltage to 27 mm at 120 kV nominal tube voltage. For green PLA, the HVL thickness was 19 mm at 50 kV tube voltage and 25.7 mm at 120 kV tube voltage. The HVD of clear PLA ranged from 2.37 g/cm2 at 50 kV nominal tube voltage to 3.19 g/cm2 at 120 kV nominal tube voltage. For green PLA, the HVD was 2.35 g/cm2 at 50 kV tube voltage and 3.17 g/cm2 at 120 kV tube voltage. The cost of the devices range from under $2 to approximately $20 in materials. The files used to create the models are freely available at https://github.com/Upstate3DLab/3D-Printed-Radiographic-Test-Tools.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.