Real-Time Neutron Radiography - Applications For The Automotive Industry

Abstract

Real-Time Neutron Radiography Applications For The Automotive Industry Wade J. Richards and Michael J. Tuttle McClellan Nuclear Radiation Center (MNRC) SM-ALC/LI-5 5335 Price Avenue McClellan AFB CA 95652-2504 Kirsten Ulowetz Bencyn West 4700 Roseville Rd, Suite 104 North Highlands CA 95660 Robert Mcgee Ford Motor Company 36200 Plymouth Rd, Box 14 Livonia MI 48150 Facility Description The McClellan Nuclear Radiation Center’s neutron source is a 2 MW TRIGA-type research reactor. The reactor operates 24 hours per day, five days per week accomplishing a wide variety of irradiation services. These services include isotope production, silicon doping and a wide variety of neutron radiography projects. The reactor facility includes five neutron beams supplying five bays configured radially around the reactor (Figure 1). In bays one and two, robotically controlled component positioning systems manipulate components in the neutron beam during radioscopic inspections. These two bays are also film radiography capable. Bay three is equipped with a remotely controlled, joy stick operated, component positioning table. Although this bay is currently dedicated to thermal neutron computed tomography, it is also radioscopic inspection and film radiography capable. Bay four is used for direct and indirect film radiography and experimental neutron beam work. Bay five is the epithermal neutron beam used principally for medical work, but can also be used for resonance radiography work. 1,2,3,4 Bay one is the largest radiography bay, measuring 71 ft long, 32 ft wide and 38 ft deep. It also houses the largest component positioning robot. Bay three is the smallest of the bays. It is 24 ft long, 20 ft wide, and 16 ft deep. Component size for this bay is further restricted by the size of the entry door. The component positioning system robot in radiography bay one is the larger of the two robotic systems. With an inspection envelope of 32 ft x 12 ft and weighing 30 tons, components as large as an F-111 wing can be robotically scanned.