NIE 2023 | Rilian Technology Xin Chen: Industrial X-ray Inspection Technology from an Innovative Perspective and Development Frontiers

Xin Chen first introduced X-rays. X-rays are a type of electromagnetic wave that can penetrate objects, and different materials and thicknesses of objects have varying absorption capabilities for X-rays. He then extended on this.X-ray inspectionThe working principle involves using the high penetration of X-rays and the principle of differential absorption by objects to obtain internal images of objects, thereby determining internal defects. This detection method is widely used in industrial inspection, medical examination, and security monitoring.

Industrial X-ray inspection equipment, known as 'industrial doctors', is used to detect industrial products and consists of modules such as an X-ray source, detector, self-shielding lead chamber, automated motion and control mechanism, and imaging software system. Its working principle is that the X-ray source generates rays, which are received by the detector and then transmitted to a computer for image processing, thereby detecting the internal structure of industrial products.

The upstream of the X-ray industry chain is composed of component suppliers, with core components including X-ray sources, detectors, high-voltage power supplies, etc. The midstream includes equipment integration and manufacturing, including imaging system manufacturing, scanning system manufacturing, and design and manufacturing of inspection equipment. The downstream of the industry chain involves multi-field inspection applications, currently mainly including integrated circuit and electronics manufacturing, lithium battery inspection, cast and welded part inspection, and foreign object detection. Xin Chen believes that X-ray inspection equipment can also expand into many fields in the future, such as mining industry, medical devices, archaeological research, and scientific research education.

According to the research data from Frost & Sullivan, it is estimated that by 2026, the market size of industrial X-ray inspection equipment in China will be about 24.14 billion yuan, with an annual compound growth rate of 15.2%. Xin Chen believes that there are five main development trends for the X-ray inspection industry in the future, namely, domestic substitution of parts and components, increasing online demand, rapid popularization of 3D/CT technology, application of AI technology, and application of the Internet of Things.

Xin Chen stated that China's industrial X-ray inspection industry started relatively late, with long-term reliance on overseas enterprises for the supply of core components, leading to a severe shortage of self-reliant production. Currently, Chinese enterprises have begun to develop their own core technologies and components. Rilian Technology has been conducting basic X-ray technology research for a long time and has now broken through the core technology of micro-focus X-ray sources and achieved industrialization. The situation where core components rely on foreign enterprises is gradually being broken, and domestic substitution will be the main development trend in the X-ray inspection industry.

With the increasing demands of downstream customers for industrial product inspection, such as covering the entire product manufacturing cycle, X-ray inspection has gradually shifted from the original small-batch offline spot checks and manual inspections, which were separated from the production line, to full-batch online production inspection, performed automatically by machines across the entire production line. At the same time, the application of 3D/CT technology in image processing makes the inspection images more intuitive and accurate. Rilian Technology's 3D/CT inspection technology has now achieved full-field layout and a complete series coverage in X-ray inspection equipment. Rilian Technology's 3D/CT inspection efficiency has also made significant breakthroughs, with the fastest imaging inspection achievable in 3 seconds, leading the industry.

Industrial products have consistency and stability in form, so AI technology can empower X-ray detection algorithms. AI can perform deep learning based on a large amount of accumulated detection data, model X-ray images, and achieve precise identification and measurement of detection targets. The application of the Internet of Things can break down information silos between devices, assist in the intelligent development of X-ray detection equipment, and enterprises can conduct equipment status detection, data statistical analysis, software management upgrades, etc. through cloud platforms.

Finally, Xin Chen concluded that even though China's high-end industrial X-ray equipment and some core components are still at a stage where technology bottlenecks exist, domestic substitution remains the main trend for future industry development. He expressed confidence in the realization of autonomous mass production of core components and independent technology research and development in China's industrial X-ray inspection industry.