Middlesborough-based IBEX Innovations has developed a technology that can generate high-sensitivity materials information from standard X-ray detectors, using a Baty VuMaster CNC vision system supplied by Bowers Metrology (www.bowersgroup.com).

When used in medical applications, additional information such as bone mineral density becomes available, enabling better diagnosis of conditions such as osteoporosis.

The patented IBEX technology adds a multi-absorption plate (MAP) to modulate the X-ray beam in a predictable way over the area of a few pixels. This requires a high level of accuracy, so a high-precision measurement solution.

The Baty VuMaster encompasses a ‘floating’ camera that can move anywhere in the measuring range, while the part stays still (so costly work-holding devices are not needed).

Kurt Scott, project manager at IBEX, said: “We are very pleased with the performance of the VuMaster. Its features are a perfect fit for this application, and the automated measurement process means that our lab technicians are free to get on with their work.

“The measurement process is fast and accurate; it really works for us.”

By recovering spectral information that is normally lost in single images from “indirect silicon line and area sensors”, IBEX-equipped X-ray detectors can effectively classify both materials and thickness changes in a sample.

This enables the delivery of improved medical diagnostic imaging, as well as the detection of impurities, defects and ‘threats’.

The IBEX MAP technology can be rapidly integrated into most existing detector types.