Project details confidential (08/02)

Project details confidential (08/02)

JAMCO Engineering adapted a large industrial CT scanner (1.25M aperture) to a comprehensive system for acquiring full 3D spiral scans of appearance grade hardwood blocks (logs). The scanner system we designed provided shock and weather proof integration of the CT engine, radiation shielding, all log handing systems including high-performance end-dog/rail bed log feed mechanism, multi-stage load/unload/clear mode log loader mechanism, bulk log infeed/outfeed stages, etc. An ultra-rugged, ultra-robust log marking system was incorporated into the push head of the end-dog log feeder to provide orientation and log identification data. The entire scanner system is nearly 70 feet long, 18 feet tall, and weighed approximately 160,000 lbs, including the 100hp DC electric drives.

Part of a new border-security scanner system, JAMCO Engineering was contracted to develop a ruggedized, environmentally robust (monsoon proof) x-ray projector. This device was a self-contained x-ray generator including collimation and alignment systems, measured roughly 9’ cube, and massed approximately 13,000 lbs. It is supported by four high precision hydraulic jacks which enable the entire device to be leveled and held to a spatial precision of 0.08 degrees in a 40 knot storm. The x-ray projector is structurally distinct from the main frame and pivots to allow angular alignment of +/- greater than 14 degrees. The x-ray beam is precisely collimated and shaped by automatic trim collimators and low-inertia shutter assembly, and contained in an extremely rugged and stable structure designed to resist deformation due to substantial transportation and deployment forces. All structures and mechanisms, including hydraulic systems, system feedback sensors, and alignment components were designed by JAMCO Engineering.

Comprehensive re-design of an existing bone densitometer for improved reliability, better performance, greater versatility, lower cost, and smaller dimensions. Our solutions implemented a novel and fundamentally different scanner mechanism which enabled us to meet all of the desired criteria. The new scanner is less than half the size and weight of it’s predecessor, promises much greater reliability, has better performance specifications, and a 50% lower cost of parts (mechanicals). In addition, alternative scan procedures are possible with this device which could not be performed on the predecessor.

JAMCO was contracted by a security company to provide the mechanical engineering to develop an x-ray imager for integration with their proprietary spectrometer. This scanner incorporated numerous innovative techniques to complement the special requirements of the proprietary device, including near complete absence of magnetically reactive metals, highly efficient EMI shielding, and sophisticated structural packaging. Notable in this development effort was the economical production design, the unique carbon fiber collimator, a dual energy ‘cassette-style’ detector, and a ‘from scratch’ x-ray generator design. This generator was a fully contained unit, integrating the x-ray tube, high voltage power supply, oil circulation system, and heat exchange circuit in one unit dimensions less than .02M³ and 21kG. It is capable of minimum 160kV @ 2.2mA, and a theoretical maximum thermal dissipation power of 800W.

This device was built by JAMCO Engineering.

A ‘super-straight’ vertical optics bench with 3 ultra-precision x-y stages, single axis translation stage, CdZnTe detector, and micro-focus x-ray tube, all enclosed in a radiation tight cabinet. This testbench ensured nearly perfect spatial precision over a large positional range to establish a set of known conditions pursuant to measuring the performance of a proprietary x-ray data acquisition technology. Included with this device were a large assortment of custom collimators, apertures, filters, phantoms, etc.

This device was built by JAMCO Engineering.

This industrial CT system targets high volume scanning in the airport environment. This scanner represented a dramatic improvement compared to its precursor: it is one and a half times larger (gantry diameter 2250mm), yet 50% lighter; rotates at 120 rpm (twice as fast), yet is more durable; produces images with 20% finer resolution, and would have cost approximately 50% of the precursor. These performance parameters were achieved through innovation design and a very high degree of structural and functional integration. Notable features: highly serviceable, mechanically simple, twin disk aluminum gantry, die-cast modular Detector/Data Acquisition System, ruggedized components to withstand 20 G accelerations & vibration, highly integrated, modular bearing/drive; cast aluminum support structure.

In this unique research system a fan beam is simulated by sweeping a cryogenic HPGe detector along a 56^o arc while tracking it with an x-ray pencil beam. Notable features: Cast aluminum gantry, 530mm inspection circle, high precision ‘curvilinear’ detector drive, and cylindrical patient table. The spatial and dynamic precision of the imaging system was held to within 0.2mm. The work was supported by government grant and has been published in K. Kalki, J. Carver, et al. "A Combined SPECT and X-Ray CT Medical Imaging System", Physics of Medical Imaging, SPIE Vol. 2432, pg. 387, July. 1995

JAMCO Engineering was asked to design the detector, collimator, DAS chassis, and structural interface for the S/I Ultra-fast CT Scanner, after previous attempts to solve the very challenging mechanical problems had failed. This assembly was separate from but fit within a large E-beam/target chamber. It had 128 16 channel ceramic detector modules in a 1,300 mm dia. semicircle (2048 channels total); 128 CFC boards in a cooled, radially arrayed chassis; twin servo controlled collimators; a 1,400 mm dia. super-planar ‘aperture disk’ primary collimator; cast aluminum structures; and many carefully designed features to address shielding (photons and EMI), spatial precision, thermal isolation, etc. The design was completed and built in less than 5 months, and met or exceeded every performance specification.

JAMCO designed three iterations of EDS scanners, culminating in the CTX-5500 system which is presently being sold worldwide. The CTX-5500 is an industrial grade CT scanner with an 800 mm inspection circle and a baggage conveyor in lieu of a patient table. It is designed to be robust, durable, and inexpensive to build. This is a very large, self-contained CT system, measuring 4.3M x 2.7M and weighing 3,800 kg and is capable of 100% continuous operation, in harsh environments, 24 hours/day for months. Maximum throughput is rated at >600 bags per hour.

I designed the patient table for ADAC’s DXF-4000 Digital Angiography system. This table was computer controlled to track vascular structures literally from head to toe with position repeatability within 0.5 mm. Notable features include – 3 servo, 1 open-loop, & 1 manual axis; graphite/composite patient table; sophisticated, aesthetic structural weldments; OSHA certified guards and covers, etc.

I significantly contributed to the development of an experimental air-cooled x-ray tube intended to replace liquid cooled tubes for C.T. applications. This dual power tube was capable of >180kV, >6mA, and total power capacity of 4M heat units in it’s "Magnum" configuration. Notable among the many unique features was the high voltage connection, with both cables (bi-polar) terminating in a single connector housing at the cold end of the casing.

I have worked extensively with many O.E.M. vendors and Principle Clients to develop optimized and/or special function X-ray system components such as integrated x-ray generators, H.V. power supply packaging designs, heat exchangers, detectors, photo diode/scintillator modules, radiation shielding, baggage conveyors, patient tables, phantoms, etc.

Notable among my other original developments are: high speed cartoning machine for Upper Deck baseball cards; packaging machine for Femstat applicators (Syntex Pharmaceuticals); CVD Reactor w/ differential vacuum chamber w/ magnetically coupled turntable (Applied Materials); and various automatic machine tools for the woodworking industry. All of these devices were developed and built by JAMCO Engineering.