Mandatory Appendix Vi - Asme V

2013 SECTION V
MANDATORY APPENDIX VI
DIGITAL IMAGE ACQUISITION, DISPLAY, INTERPRETATION, AND
STORAGE OF RADIOGRAPHS FOR NUCLEAR APPLICATIONS
VI-210
SCOPE
(f) spatial resolution used (see VI-241);

(g) contrast sensitivity (density range obtained) (see
VI-242);
(h) dynamic range used (see VI-243); and
(i) spatial linearity of the system (see VI-244).
Digital imaging process and technology provide the ability to digitize and store the detailed information contained
in the radiograph (analog image), thus eliminating the
need to maintain and store radiographs for permanent
record.
VI-223
VI-220
VI-221
Personnel shall be qualified as follows:

(a) Level II and Level III Personnel. Level II and Level III
personnel shall be qualified in the radiographic method as
required by Article 1. In addition, the employers written
practice shall describe the specific training and practical
experience of Level II and Level III personnel involved in
the application of the digital imaging process and the interpretation of results and acceptance of system performance. Training and experience shall be documented in
the individuals certification records.
(b) As a minimum, Level II and III individuals shall have
40 hours of training and 1 month of practical experience
in the digital imaging process technique.
(c) Other Personnel. Personnel with limited qualifications performing operations other than those required
for the Level II or Level III shall be qualified in accordance
with Article 1. Each individual shall have specified training
and practical experience in the operations to be
performed.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
VI-221.1 Additional Information. Article 2, Mandatory Appendices III and IV, contain additional information
that shall be used to supplement the requirements of this
Appendix. These supplemental requirements shall be
documented in the written procedure required by this
Appendix.
VI-221.2 Reference Film. Supplement A contains requirements for the manufacture of the reference film.
VI-222
PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS
WRITTEN PROCEDURE
A written procedure is required. The written procedure

shall be the responsibility of the owner of the radiographs
and shall be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the
Authorized Nuclear Inspector (ANI). When other enforcement or regulatory agencies are involved, the agency approval is required by formal agreement. The written
procedure shall include, as a minimum, the following essential variables:
VI-230
VI-222.1 Digitizing System Description.

(a) manufacturer and model no. of digitizing system;
(b) physical size of the usable area of the image monitor;
(c) film size capacity of the scanning device;
(d) spot size(s) of the film scanning system;
(e) image display pixel size as defined by the vertical/
horizontal resolution limits of the monitor;
(f) luminance of the video display; and
(g) data storage medium.
VI-231
EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS

SYSTEM FEATURES
The following features shall be common to all digital image processing systems:
(a) noninterlaced image display format;
(b) WORM write-once/read-many data storage; and
(c) fully reversible (loss-less) data compression (if data
compression is used).
VI-222.2 Digitizing Technique.

(a) digitizer spot size (in microns) to be used (see
VI-232);
(b) loss-less data compression technique, if used;
(c) method of image capture verification;
(d) image processing operations;
(e) time period for system verification (see VI-264);
VI-232
SYSTEM SPOT SIZE
The spot size of the digitizing system shall be:

(a) 70 microns, or smaller for radiographs made with
energies up to 1 MeV; or
(b) 100 microns or smaller for radiographs made with
energies over 1 MeV.
26
No further reproduction or distribution is permitted.
ARTICLE 2
VI-240
SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
REQUIREMENTS
VI-252
CONTRAST SENSITIVITY EVALUATION
Using the contrast sensitivity images and the digitized

stepped density scale images to evaluate the detectability
of each density step (the observed density changes shall
be indicative of the systems capability to discern 0.02
density differences), the detectability of each density step
and the difference in density between steps shall be
evaluated.
System performance shall be determined using the digitized representation of the reference targets (images). No
adjustment shall be made to the digitizing system which
may affect system performance after recording the reference targets.
VI-241
ARTICLE 2
SPATIAL RESOLUTION
VI-253
DYNAMIC RANGE EVALUATION
Spatial resolution shall be determined as described in

VI-251. The system shall be capable of resolving a pattern
of 7 line pairs/millimeter (lp/mm) for systems digitizing
with a spot size of 70 microns or less, or 5 line pairs/millimeter for spot sizes greater than 70 microns.
The dynamic range of the digitization system shall be

determined by finding the last visible density step at both
ends of the density strip. The dynamic range shall be measured to the nearest 0.50 optical density.
VI-242
VI-254
CONTRAST SENSITIVITY
The digitization system shall be set to read the inch

scale on the reference film. The measurement tool shall
then be used to measure the scale in a vertical direction
and horizontal direction. The actual dimension is divided
by the measured dimension to find the percentage of error
in the horizontal and vertical directions.
Contrast sensitivity shall be determined as described in

VI-252. The system shall have a minimum contrast sensitivity of 0.02 optical density.
VI-243
DYNAMIC RANGE
Dynamic range shall be determined as described in

VI-253. The system shall have a minimum dynamic range
of 3.5 optical density.
VI-244
VI-260
SPATIAL LINEARITY
VI-261
Spatial linearity shall be determined as described in

VI-254. The system shall return measured dimensions
with 3% of the actual dimensions on the reference film.
VI-250
DEMONSTRATION OF SYSTEM
PERFORMANCE
PROCEDURE DEMONSTRATION
The written procedure described in VI-222 shall be demonstrated to the ANI and, if requested, the regulatory
agency, as having the ability to acquire, display, and reproduce the analog images from radiographs. Evidence of the
demonstration shall be recorded as required by VI-291.
TECHNIQUE
The reference film described in Supplement A and

Figure VI-A-1 shall be used to determine the performance
of the digitization system. The system settings shall be adjusted to optimize the display representation of the reference targets (images). The reference film and all
subsequent radiographs shall be scanned by the digitization system using these optimized settings.
VI-262
PROCESSED TARGETS
The digitizing process and equipment shall acquire and

display the targets described in Supplement A. The digitally processed targets of the reference film shall be used
to verify the system performance.
VI-263
VI-251
SPATIAL LINEARITY EVALUATION
SPATIAL RESOLUTION EVALUATION
CHANGES IN ESSENTIAL VARIABLES
Any change in the essential variables identified in

VI-222 and used to produce the results in VI-250 shall
be cause for reverification of the System Performance.
At least two of the converging line pair images (0 deg,

45 deg, and 90 deg line pairs) shall be selected near the
opposite corners of the digitizing field and one image near
the center of the digitized reference film. The spatial resolution in each position and for each orientation shall be recorded as the highest indicated spatial frequency (as
determined by the reference lines provided) where all of
the lighter lines are observed to be separated by the darker lines. The system resolution shall be reported as the
poorest spatial resolution obtained from all of the resolution images evaluated.
VI-264
FREQUENCY OF VERIFICATION
The System Performance shall be initially verified in accordance with VI-262 at the beginning of each digitizing
shift. Reverification in accordance with VI-262 shall take
place at the end of each shift or at the end of 12 continuous
hours, whichever is less, or at any time that malfunctioning is suspected.
27
2013 SECTION V
VI-265
2013 SECTION V
CHANGES IN SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
shall apply. If analog radiographs must be viewed in composite for acceptance, then both radiographs shall be digitized. The digital image of the analog radiographs shall be
interpreted singularly.
Any evidence of change in the System Performance specified in VI-240 shall invalidate the digital images processed since the last successful verification and shall be
cause for reverification.
VI-270
VI-271
VI-283
Digital images of previously accepted radiographs may

be used as a baseline for subsequent in-service
inspections.
EXAMINATION
SYSTEM PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
The digitizing system shall meet the requirements specified in VI-240 before digitizing archival radiographs.
VI-272
VI-290
ARTIFACTS
VI-291
Radiographs shall be visually examined for foreign material and artifacts (e.g., scratches or water spots) in the
area of interest. Foreign material not removed and artifacts observed shall be documented.
VI-273
VI-281
CALIBRATION
EVALUATION
PROCESS EVALUATION
The Level II or Level III Examiner described in

VI-223(a) shall be responsible for determining that the digital imaging process is capable of reproducing the original analog image. This digital image shall then be
transferred to the write-once-read-many (WORM) optical
disc.
VI-282
DOCUMENTATION
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
The following shall be documented in a final report:

(a) spatial resolution (VI-241);
(b) contrast sensitivity (VI-242);
(c) frequency for system verification;
(d) dynamic range (VI-243);
(e) Traceability technique from original component to
radiograph to displayed digital image, including original
radiographic report(s). (The original radiographic reader
sheet may be digitized to fulfill this requirement);
(f) condition of original radiographs (VI-281);
(g) procedure demonstration (VI-261);
(h) spatial linearity (VI-244);
(i) system performance parameters (VI-241); and
(j) personnel performing the digital imaging process
(VI-223).
The calibration for a specific set of parameters (i.e., film

size, density range, and spatial resolution) shall be conducted by following VI-240 and Supplement A. The results
shall be documented.
VI-280
BASELINE
VI-292
ARCHIVING
When the final report and digitized information are

used to replace the analog radiograph as the permanent
record as required by the referencing Code Section, all information pertaining to the original radiography shall be
documented in the final report and processed as part of
the digital record. A duplicate copy of the WORM storage
media is required if the radiographs are to be destroyed.
INTERPRETATION
When interpretation of the radiograph is used for

acceptance, the requirements of Article 2,
Mandatory Appendix IV and the Referencing Code Section
28
ARTICLE 2

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2013 SECTION V

(f) spatial resolution used (see VI-241);

Personnel shall be qualified as follows:

A written procedure is required. The written procedure

VI-222.1 Digitizing System Description.

EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS

VI-222.2 Digitizing Technique.

SYSTEM SPOT SIZE

The spot size of the digitizing system shall be:

No further reproduction or distribution is permitted.

CONTRAST SENSITIVITY EVALUATION

Using the contrast sensitivity images and the digitized

DYNAMIC RANGE EVALUATION

Spatial resolution shall be determined as described in

The dynamic range of the digitization system shall be

The digitization system shall be set to read the inch

Contrast sensitivity shall be determined as described in

Dynamic range shall be determined as described in

Spatial linearity shall be determined as described in

The reference film described in Supplement A and

The digitizing process and equipment shall acquire and

SPATIAL LINEARITY EVALUATION

SPATIAL RESOLUTION EVALUATION

CHANGES IN ESSENTIAL VARIABLES

Any change in the essential variables identified in

At least two of the converging line pair images (0 deg,

No further reproduction or distribution is permitted.

CHANGES IN SYSTEM PERFORMANCE

Digital images of previously accepted radiographs may

The Level II or Level III Examiner described in

The following shall be documented in a final report:

The calibration for a specific set of parameters (i.e., film

When the final report and digitized information are

When interpretation of the radiograph is used for

No further reproduction or distribution is permitted.

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