Just my 2 cents. I worked in a metal finishing shop (electroplating) about 20 years ago. We used an X-ray fluorescence device similar to measure deposited (plating) thickness. This method superseded beta-back scatter for measuring. The equipment was very expensive. Tens of Thousands of dollars. They were very accurate. On special parts we measured with micro-cross section (cut parts in half and measure plating thickness under a microscope) to verify thickness.
That scanner board is Z axis protection, if anything breaks the beam, it would stop moving down. Or if the board is hit first, the switch would also disable the Z axis.
Naphtha. Use gloves. Cleans anything that it doesn't melt, and melts anything that it can't clean. You can also use the lighter gas if can't find Naphtha.
Acetone also works well. I have a 'step' process when it comes to solvents. Start with the 'nicest' end with the meanest. Naptha, acetone, xylene, mek, 1,1,1-tce. If none of them can touch it - I don't want to mess with it.
Mike, I love when you upload a teardown! :) I'm subbed to the EEVBlog too, but his teardowns are rarely as interesting as yours are! Keep up the awesome work and thanks!
I work at a metal plating company that use xrf machines and they range from 30k to 60k new, cheers Mike always wanted to know what was going on inside them ;-)
Very enjoyable teardown of an X-ray Spectrometer. Practical use of *EEVblog µRuler* at 19:15 and many useful parts to recycle at the end. Camera, Steppers, Power supplies, Tubes.
Actually you can focus X-Rays, if you use mirrors at a very shallow angle. You might find more details by searching "Kirkpatrick-Baez mirror". Nice teardown, life was so hard before non-cooled silicon drift detectors became mainstream...
For some reason I thought that X-ray tubes have rotating parts inside them, but I don't see them in the video. Did you take them off for the demo, or are they just not used in this kind of tube (only on some other kind e.g. higher voltage), or are they there and I'm just not watching closely enough?
You are right. Some older tubes will feature a spinning tungsten anode inside to keep cool via heat dissipation as they get very hot from the electron gun. Tungsten's melting point is 3,400 Celsius and conducts heat incredibly well. In some cases, the tungsten in xray high power tubes have been known to melt so it helps to increase the apparently surface area to the exposure of electrons, and in turn helps save a lot of bother with external cooling.
Can you add in the description a line about the quality please? I know it's not really your "fault" (I read the comment where you explained about software update)... but I've just changed a bunch of my graphics settings and this happened to be the 1st video I tried to watch since - spent a while assuming it was something I'd done wrong!
So, I take it, the x-rays you were playing with in the end weren't that dangerous? The camera didn't realy pick up any of them. Very interesting video!
the source of gamma he was using is an old fiestaware plate, that has uranium oxide in the ceramic glaze. it is a very low level source of gamma radiation and is safe to handle. also the sensor he is using is very sensitive to gamma radiation. some homes in certain parts of the uk need to have a ventilated basement due to naturally occurring radon gas coming out of the ground!!
Your right we like old extensive odd equipment. Most things I own I have had a look inside. Even the car has had panels removed so I can peek inside.
Mike ! PLEASE make videos more often, You can seriously make second income from them, because You are just so good, You explain everything great !
Just my 2 cents. I worked in a metal finishing shop (electroplating) about 20 years ago. We used an X-ray fluorescence device similar to measure deposited (plating) thickness. This method superseded beta-back scatter for measuring. The equipment was very expensive. Tens of Thousands of dollars. They were very accurate. On special parts we measured with micro-cross section (cut parts in half and measure plating thickness under a microscope) to verify thickness.
Hello, I used to work for CMI, and it's possible I built that unit!
That scanner board is Z axis protection, if anything breaks the beam, it would stop moving down. Or if the board is hit first, the switch would also disable the Z axis.
Maybe it's time to do a teardown on the camera. :o
Don't turn it on - take it apart - then turn bits of it on! Really great video Mike - like the one you did with photomultiplier tubes...
Fantastic as usual Mike ! A real treat to watch ! Thanks for all the work !
Naphtha. Use gloves. Cleans anything that it doesn't melt, and melts anything that it can't clean. You can also use the lighter gas if can't find Naphtha.
Acetone also works well. I have a 'step' process when it comes to solvents. Start with the 'nicest' end with the meanest. Naptha, acetone, xylene, mek, 1,1,1-tce.
If none of them can touch it - I don't want to mess with it.
What a lovely surprise to find in my sub box!
Mike, I love when you upload a teardown! :) I'm subbed to the EEVBlog too, but his teardowns are rarely as interesting as yours are! Keep up the awesome work and thanks!
Tearing down an X-ray machine. What are we looking for first of all? The PCB and the components ;)
So with best sensitivity from 6 to 12 KeV, that's right around the midway point of soft X-Rays just getting into where hard X-Rays start.
methylated spirit works well for silicon, and it evaporates nice
By the way, the X-Ray tubes for these instruments are a shade under £3000
At 13:15 they are Z-Protection LED's. The idea is stop the carriage being smashed into the sample, possibly damaging the detector window.
you gotta love precision lab gear, looks home made but costs more than the gdp of small countries
The triax connector looks like the same type as in the eevblog Agilent B2912A teardown.
A jackpot of interesting electromechanical gizmos!
I work at a metal plating company that use xrf machines and they range from 30k to 60k new, cheers Mike always wanted to know what was going on inside them ;-)
Very enjoyable teardown of an X-ray Spectrometer. Practical use of *EEVblog µRuler* at 19:15 and many useful parts to recycle at the end. Camera, Steppers, Power supplies, Tubes.
Actually you can focus X-Rays, if you use mirrors at a very shallow angle. You might find more details by searching "Kirkpatrick-Baez mirror". Nice teardown, life was so hard before non-cooled silicon drift detectors became mainstream...
Nice find, lots of goodies in there. I guess the x-ray tube filament was definitely open?
@mikeselectricstuff I really enjoyed this tear-down Mike. Thank you. :)
At 4:24 it's a 2KV PSU for the detector.
Nice video, wonder if that silicone was liquid when new and has jelled over time with the heat/xray exposure?
To dissolve silicone you use silicone, or methylated spirits.
EEVblog ruler +1
I'm a bit surprised it made much xray at only 6kV, afair the tungsten lines are at ~9kV
Happy Easter Mike :-) God bless you my friend - eat lots of chocolate! :-)
Not enough mikeselectricstuff vids lately. I've had withdrawal.
Yet another "Here's something cool that I found" video where he takes it apart, rewires it and makes it do something cool. :)
Only 5kV and you produce X-rays?! Although soft type but I never thougth that would be near enough for that.
19:27 oh, it's the micro ruler!
You could propably do gamma spectroscopy with that tube
kV is too low for that, only the higher nm of gamma are possible with this
Whats wrong with your camera today, mike?
I think he had his rendering settings wrong -- bitrate too low.
Nothing - I unintentionally hit "upgrade" in MeGUI and now it's broken & couldn't be bothered to try fixing so had to use a different codec
I'm guessing the video camera recording was fine, but the pre-upload rendering settings were quite low... I stopped watching the video. :-/
I like the X-Ray Spex!
Mike, did you sell the GM tube assembly and HV supply? I wanna buy them for my uni thesis...
X-ray fluorescence spectrometers rule.
Is that one of the rulers from... IT IS OMG! :D
I like your references, Mike. I wish Dave would include references more often.
Soooo interesting great as always .Thank you .John
'''''One of my favorites. Now lets crank it ]to 10 kv and sleep with it under our pilliow for white noise. an good rest.
I think that's the most creatively deadly use of xrays I've ever heard.
What is the original purpose of the radioactive dinner plate?
To get a vibrant Orange red colour they used uranium oxide. They stopped using it in the 1940s. The plates are known as Fiesta dinnerware.
I guess it also keeps the food on the plate nice and warm. Thanks for the info
My guess is to have ... dinner.
One of your best videos!
Mike, at 31:30 you have these wire clamps in your powersupply. What are these called? Or where can i find them?
search wago 4mm at farnell
mikeselectricstuff
Thanks
hey look its the resealing silicone potting again :P
For some reason I thought that X-ray tubes have rotating parts inside them, but I don't see them in the video. Did you take them off for the demo, or are they just not used in this kind of tube (only on some other kind e.g. higher voltage), or are they there and I'm just not watching closely enough?
I've never heard of X-Ray tubes with moving parts. Just the high voltage and the low gas pressure inside the tube are all it needs.
Some high power tubes use a conical rotating anode to spread out the power dissipation at the target. Less common nowadays with better detectors
You are right. Some older tubes will feature a spinning tungsten anode inside to keep cool via heat dissipation as they get very hot from the electron gun. Tungsten's melting point is 3,400 Celsius and conducts heat incredibly well. In some cases, the tungsten in xray high power tubes have been known to melt so it helps to increase the apparently surface area to the exposure of electrons, and in turn helps save a lot of bother with external cooling.
Whats the purpose of all the silicone gunk in that tube?
It would allow for more effisiant heat transfer and electrical isolation.
Beryllium window you say? be sure to wash your hands well after handling that. =)
what a score!
Have you got a box load of stepper motors and controllers or psu transformers to give away or sell ?
gasoline dissolves silicone
very cool, thanks for the video!
Can you add in the description a line about the quality please? I know it's not really your "fault" (I read the comment where you explained about software update)... but I've just changed a bunch of my graphics settings and this happened to be the 1st video I tried to watch since - spent a while assuming it was something I'd done wrong!
Ahahahaha such a fail
£100 says that's an SG3525 PWM controller in the front end of that supply. Am I right Mike?
Love your tear down vids!
Nice interesting video :) Thanks!
So, I take it, the x-rays you were playing with in the end weren't that dangerous? The camera didn't realy pick up any of them.
Very interesting video!
the source of gamma he was using is an old fiestaware plate, that has uranium oxide in the ceramic glaze. it is a very low level source of gamma radiation and is safe to handle. also the sensor he is using is very sensitive to gamma radiation. some homes in certain parts of the uk need to have a ventilated basement due to naturally occurring radon gas coming out of the ground!!
insanitybiker
Thanks. Actually, I was refering to the X-Ray tube he used after that part in the video.
Very intresting
Video quality is horrible. : (
Come on Mike, spend a few quids on a decent camera.
He mentioned in an earlier reply here that he had a problem with his video encoding software and had to use something else.
F