Plane of Rotation (POR) Alignment

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1 Personnel Requirements

Required Persons Preliminary Reqs Procedure Finalization

1

2 Overview
The purpose of Plane of Rotation measurement/alignment is to put the X-ray tube in the correct
physical relationship to the detector and verify it. This is normally only necessary when the X-ray tube
has been replaced or moved.

Illustration 1: POR Procedural Flow

 When performing alignments, wait at least 15-30 minutes between scans to prevent
NOTE:
unnecessary adjustments.

Illustration 2: Vernier Caliper & Dial Gauge Indicator

(For GAFCHROMIC XR-QA Film) POR Alignment procedure, please refer to POR Alignment for
GAFCHROMIC XR-QA Film.

(For Polaroid type 52 Film) POR Alignment procedure, please refer to POR Alignment for
Polaroid type 52 Film.

3 Preliminary Requirements

3.1 Tools and Test Equipment

Item Qty Effectivity Part# Manufacturer

Calibrated Vernier Caliper (millimeters or inches) - see illustration,
1 - - -
above
Dial gauge Indicator (millimeters or inches) - see illustration,
1 - - -
above

3.2 Consumables

Item Qty Effectivity Part# Manufacturer

Type 52 Polaroid Film AR - - -
Type 52 Polaroid Film Developer AR - - -
GAFCHROMIC XR-QA Film (The developer is not needed for
AR - 5321742 -
this film)

4 Procedure

4.1 Verify Tube Temperature < 200º C

Perform the Tube Temperature Verification Procedure, to verify that the tube temperature is less than
200° C.

4.2 POR Alignment for GAFCHROMIC XR-QA Film

4.2.1 For Tube Change Only

1. Wait 90 minutes if the new tube had more than 25 Kilo Joules of energy input, [KV x mA x
Sec ÷ 1000] within the last 30 minutes prior to the start of system alignments.

1. If a tube heat soak has been performed you must wait a minimum of 6 hours before system
alignments can be performed.
4.2.2 Confirm Cold Tube

Make sure the tube is cold before alignments.

1. Launch the [POR Alignment] tool. Make sure no message pops up requiring tube cooling.

1. Quit the [POR Alignment] tool.

4.2.3 Measure Tube Alignment

1. Mount the Dial Indicator onto the Collimator / Tube Assembly as shown Illustration 3. Make
sure you zero the dial indicator, when it is securely in place.

Illustration 3: POR Gauge Mount and Adjuster

1. Loosen the (4) M-12 bolts that secure the tube. (½ turn out is all that’s necessary, and not any
more.)

1. Get the system’s phantom holder and its 48cm phantom onto it.

1. Cut film to proper size 10mm x 50mm. Cut a corner to indicate direction later.
See Illustration 4.

Illustration 4: Film Illustration

 1. Attach (1) “GAFCHROMIC XR-QA Film" on the outside edge of the 48cm phantom at the 3
o’clock position.

Only the film should be projecting into the Gantry bore when complete. The
NOTE: phantom is used only to position and hold the film in the gantry
bore, Illustration 6.

1. Advance the cradle and rotate the phantom if necessary, while using the alignment lights, to
position the film’s center marking on the alignment light marks.

1. The old film method used a single scan with the gantry rotating. Due to the sensitivity
decrease of the GAFCHROMIC XR-QA film, and in order to maximize the dose to the film,
two Stationary scans will be performed.

Perform two offline scans with gantry in the 90 degree and 270 degree position and as follows
using the Diagnostic Data Collection menu (DDC).

Static X-Ray On

Scan Time: 3 sec

80kv

100mA

Air Filter

Small focal Spot

Slice / Collimation: 4 x 2.5

Tracking Off

NOTICE
Click on the <Position Tube> button BEFORE click on <Accept RX> to position
tube at 90 degree and 270 degree.

1. Verify that:
a. The film’s narrow (white beam) slit lies within (between) the wider X-Ray slit.
b. The film’s edges in both Z direction are equally well defined by the exit slit of the collimator.
The edges of the narrow beam should be much sharper than the wide beam. If a difference in edge
definition exists, check for gross Z misalignment. (Misalignment of the slit in the tube’s collimator
adapter is a common cause of fuzzy film edges.)

1. Refer to Figures Illustration 5 and Illustration 6 during the following instructions. Use a Vernier
Calipers to measure the width of the 2 wider slits. They’re the slits that extend past the edges
of the narrower slit and to the part of the film.
a. Take 3 measurements to obtain an average value for XF. Xf is the side of the film
closest to the table. Using the same film measurement tool, take (1) Xf measurement
at the top of the film, another near the middle and another near the bottom. Add these
(3) Xf distances together and divide this sum by 3 or “n”. Where,

XF = (Xf1 + X f2 + Xf3)/(n)
 It is important that you take multiple measurements. The more
measurements you take, the more accurate the measurement. There is
NOTE:
less likelihood of a measurement error and you will increase the
accuracy of the alignment.

Illustration 5: XF and XR measurement points

b. Now take 3 measurements to obtain an average value for XR. Take (1) XR measurement at
the top of the film, another near the middle and another near the bottom of the film. Add these 3
values together and divide the sum by 3 to obtain an average for XR.

XR = (Xr1 + X r2 + Xr3)/(n)

c. Use the values obtained for XF (front distance) and XR (rear distance) in the calculation that
follows.

1. Perform as followings:
a. Launch the [POR Alignment] tool. Select <Scan>.
b. Press <Start Scan> when it flashes. In fact this scan is invalid, it only for continue to next step.
c. Click on the <CALCULATE> button. Enter the values for XF and XR obtained in the steps
above. The software will do the distance calculation.

1. If the tube is out of specification, move the tube as indicated by the program. If adjustment is
necessary, clockwise rotation (in) of adjustment bolt moves the tube towards the table side.
Repeat Steps 3 through 11 again if you have moved the tube, to check accuracy of
adjustment. See Illustration 6 for more details.

Illustration 6: Plane of Rotation Film Interpretation

 1. Adjust M12 mounting bolts to pre-load torque specification. Refer to Table 1.

Table 1: Pre-load Torque Specification

25 ft.-lbs 33 N-m 295 in-lbs 340 kg-cm

1. Apply final torque on all four M12 bolts according to the values specified in Table 2.

Table 2: Final Torque

49 ft.-lbs 66 N-m 590 in-lbs 680 kg-cm

4.3 POR Alignment for Polaroid type 52 Film

4.3.1 For Tube Change Only

1. Wait 90 minutes if the new tube had more than 25 Kilo Joules of energy input, [KV x mA x
Sec ÷ 1000] within the last 30 minutes prior to the start of system alignments.

1. If a tube heat soak has been performed you must wait a minimum of 6 hours before system
alignments can be performed.

4.3.2 Start the POR Software

1. Make sure the tube is cold before alignments.

1. Launch the [POR Alignment] tool.

4.3.3 Measure Tube Alignment

1. Mount the Dial Indicator onto the Collimator / Tube Assembly as shown Illustration 3. Make
sure you zero the dial indicator, when it is securely in place.

1. Loosen the (4) M-12 bolts that secure the tube. (½ turn out is all that’s necessary, and not any
more.)

1. Get the system’s phantom holder and its 48cm phantom onto it.

1. Attach (1) “Polaroid type 52" film on the outside edge of the 48cm phantom, at the 3 o’clock
position.

Only the film should be projecting into the Gantry bore when complete. The
NOTE:
phantom is used only to position and hold the film in the gantry bore, Illustration 8

2. Orient the side of the film side marked “This side toward lens” towards iso center,
see Illustration 7. When exposed and developed later, the film will show the alignment of the
x-ray beam with respect to the table, as viewed from the X-Ray tube in the 3 o’clock position.
3. Illustration 7: Polaroid Film, Type 52

4.

1. Advance the cradle and rotate the phantom if necessary, while using the alignment lights, to
position the film’s center marking on the alignment light marks.

1. Take a scan.

1. Remove the exposed film and immediately mark the outside of the film nearest the table. For
example, use a pen and print the letter “T” on the film nearest the table, Illustration 7. Go and
develop the exposed film. After the film is developed, transfer the table marking to the film
itself while keeping the orientation correct, Illustration 8

1. Verify that:
a. The film’s narrow (white beam) slit lies within (between) the wider (gray) X-Ray slit.
b. The film’s edges in both Z direction are equally well defined by the exit slit of the collimator.
The edges of the narrow beam should be much sharper than the wide beam. If a difference in edge
definition exists, check for gross Z misalignment. (Misalignment of the slit in the tube’s collimator
adapter is a common cause of fuzzy film edges.)

1. Refer to Figures Illustration 5 and Illustration 8 during the following instructions. Use a Vernier
Calipers to measure the width of the 2 wider (dark gray) slits. They’re the dark gray slits that
extend past the edges of the narrower (off-white) slit and to the blackest part of the film.
a. Take 3 measurements to obtain an average value for XF. Xf is the side of the film
closest to the table. Using the same film measurement tool, take (1) X f measurement
at the top of the film, another near the middle and another near the bottom. Add these
(3) Xf distances together and divide this sum by 3 or “n”. Where,

XF = (Xf1 + X f2 + Xf3)/(n)
 It is important that you take multiple measurements. The more
measurements you take, the more accurate the measurement. There is
NOTE:
less likelihood of a measurement error and you will increase the
accuracy of the alignment.

b. Now take 3 measurements to obtain an average value for XR. Take (1) XR measurement at
the top of the film, another near the middle and another near the bottom of the film. Add these 3
values together and divide the sum by 3 to obtain an average for XR.

XR = (Xr1 + X r2 + Xr3)/(n)

c. Use the values obtained for XF (front distance) and XR (rear distance) in the calculation that
follows.

1. Click on the <CALCULATE> button. Enter the values for XF and XR obtained in the steps
above. The software will do the distance calculation.

1. If the tube is out of specification, move the tube as indicated by the program. If adjustment is
necessary, clockwise rotation (in) of adjustment bolt moves the tube towards the table side.
Repeat Steps 3 through 11 again if you have moved the tube, to check accuracy of
adjustment. See Illustration 8 for more details.

Illustration 8: Plan of Rotation Interpretation

1. Adjust M12 mounting bolts to pre-load torque specification. Refer to Table 1

1. Apply final torque on all four M12 bolts according to the values specified in Table 2

5 Finalization
No finalization steps.