SKYSCAN 1273 – High-Capacity 3D X-ray Microscope

On Feb. 1 Bruker microCT announced the new SKYSCAN 1273 benchtop 3D X-ray microscope based on micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) technology.

The SKYSCAN 1273 sets a new standard for non-destructive testing (NDT) with benchtop instruments, providing a performance previously only achieved by floor standing systems. Samples with up to 500 mm length, 300 mm diameter, and 20 kg weight can be inspected.

The higher-energy X-ray source running at higher power (130 kV, 39 W) provides abundant X-ray intensity for fast scanning , even on large or dense objects. The high-sensitivity flat-panel detector achieves very high contrast in the accumulated images, thanks to the large dynamic range. That, combined with the detector’s large 6 megapixel format and fast readout speed, provides excellent image quality in very short time, ideal for time-resolved or in-situ 3D X-ray microscopy.

This top performance comes with low cost of ownership. The benchtop SKYSCAN 1273 does not claim a lot of expensive lab space. And, like for all our other benchtop systems, a simple domestic power plug is all you need to start running the instrument.

The SKYSCAN 1273 has the complete 3D.SUITE onboard, offering all the advanced software capabilities for scanning, reconstruction, visualization, inspection, and analysis.

This makes SKYSCAN 1273 the ideal system for defect detection in casting, machining, additive manufacturing, inspection of complex electro-mechanical assemblies, pharmaceutical packaging, advanced medical tools, geological drill cores, and non-ambient microscopy.

Also, ex vivo imaging of larger and higher density samples in forensic, orthopedic, paleontological, and zoological applications benefit from the larger sample compartment and higher-energy, higher-power X-ray source.

For more information, visit our website at SKYSCAN 1273.

High Aspect Ratio Tomography PLUS (HART PLUS)

Method Note 122 describes how to select the appropriate rotation step for doing a micro-CT scan. However, this conventional scanning strategy falls short on samples with high aspect ratio. A fixed rotation step is either optimized for the short or for the long sample side. This results in very long scan times or in loss of resolution and consequent decrease in image quality.

High Aspect Ratio Tomography PLUS (HART PLUS) ensures optimum scan conditions at every rotation angle using a scanning strategy with continuously variable angular steps. Consequently, planar objects are scanned 3 to 4 times faster than with a standard scan strategy at the same resolution.

The pictures below show reconstructed cross sections through a ceramic capacitor with different scan strategies. HART PLUS is available with our new SKYSCAN 1273, as well as our flagship SKYSCAN 2214. A more detail description on HART PLUS can be found in the Method Note 123.