Automated Irradiator Systems, Controllers, and Software
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Hopewell Designs, Inc. manufactures calibration systems for radiation detection instruments and personnel dosimetry. These systems produce radiation fields of known intensity; instruments or dosimeters being calibrated are placed in the fields to confirm accurate operation. A typical calibrator consists of radioactive sources, radiation shielding, a mechanism for exposing the sources, a linear track for positioning the item(s) being calibrated, safety systems, and a computer controller.
X-Ray Irradiators Gamma Beam Irradiators Neutron / Gamma Low Scatter Irradiators Self-contained Box Calibrators Gamma / Neutron Well Irradiators
Installed irradiator systems include: X-ray beam, gamma beam, neutron/gamma low scatter, self-contained "box" calibrators, and well irradiators. In addition, ancillary systems include linear positioning systems, video monitoring systems, jigs and fixtures, calibration phantoms, radiation monitors, warning lights and indicators, safety interlock systems, source transfer systems, and custom shielding.
Automated and computer-controlled capabilities include:
  • Automatic Calibration Set Up
  • Radioactive Decay Correction
  • Network Communication
  • Temperature and Barometric Pressure Logging
  • Entry of Results into Database
  • Calibration Report Generation
Our automated software package places most irradiator operations under computer control. The operator has full control over the system, but by handling the tedious and repetitive tasks, the computerized controls free the operator to focus on areas where expertise is required.
With the wide range of variables and program parameters provided, supervisory personnel may readily customize the software to meet specific needs.
About the Software
Our Automated Irradiator Control systems are based on National Instruments LabVIEW™ and National Instruments interface hardware. This offers assurance that our automated controls are usable, understandable, customizable, maintainable, and upgradable.


(Click on the image below for more information about its sections ...)

Environment Section
Safety and System Status Section
Source and Exposure Section
Time Section
AutoSetup Section
Linear Positioning System (LPS) Control Section
Irradiator Calibration Section


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Indicates the status of the door interlock; i.e., whether the entry door to the exposure area is open or closed
Indicates whether the System Enable key switch is in the Enabled position. The key cannot be removed when the switch is in the enabled position, and this is the only key that fits the door to the exposure area.
Indicates whether system is ready to make an exposure
Indicates whether the source is in its Safe position (green), Exposed position (flashing red and yellow), or in motion (flashing red)
Indicates the overall status of the system: Idle, Ready to Expose, Exposrue in Progress, Record to Database, Source Moving, Printing Report, etc.
Mode of operation: Normal for normal exposures; Daily QC for day-to-day comparisons of exposure levels, Irradiator Calibration for a fully automated tool to calibrate the irradiator.
Message box - displays error messages and user instructions
Press this button to clear the Message area
Safety and System Status Section
  • Status of safety interlocks
  • Readiness to start an exposure procedure
  • Source position: safe, exposed, or in motion
  • Exposure State (e.g., "Ready to Expose", "Exposure in Progress", "Recording Data", etc.)
  • Mode of operation (e.g., "Normal", "Irradiator Calibration", "Daily QC", etc.)
  • Error messages, special operator instructions, etc.
  • Overall system health
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Source and Exposure Source and Exposure Section
  • Source selection drop-down menu
  • Current and voltage settings for X-Ray systems
  • Attenuator control where applicable
  • Exposure and exposure rate
The operator may set the Exposure Rate and / or the Exposure. The position of the instrument and / or the amount of exposure time are calculated including a correction for source decay.
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Time Time Section
  • Preset exposure time
  • Elapsed exposure time
  • Elapsed time counter reset button
The operator may preset the time to zero to manually control the exposure. The operator also may reset the Elapsed Time counter at any time.
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Linear Positioning System (LPS) Control Section
LPS Control
  • Slider and digital controls to preset the LPS position
  • Real-time LPS position indicators
  • Controls to Actuate and Cancel motion as well as to send the LPS to its "Home" position
When an Exposure Rate or Exposure is specified, the system calculates a position, automatically compensating for source decay.
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Environment Environment Section
  • Barometric pressure
  • Temperature
  • Relative humidity
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AutoSetup Section
AutoSetup
A database and user interface is provided to allow operators and / or supervisors to pre-define multi-step procedures. In the AutoSetup section, the operator may choose one of these procedures. This section contains controls to select a Procedure and a Step within that procedure.
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Irradiator Calibration Irradiator Calibration Section
  • Uses an ion chamber and electrometer to calibrate the irradiator
  • Operator may choose to calibrate in charge or current mode
  • Setup button activates a wizard which walks the operator through setting the Irradiator Calibration parameters
  • Calibration process including recording results is fully automated
Hopewell Designs, Inc.
5940 Gateway Drive, Alpharetta, GA 30004
770-667-5770 / FAX 770-667-7539
sales@hdirad.com