CENTRAL LUZON DOCTORS ’ HOSPITALS EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION

Romulo Highway, San Pablo, Tarlac City, Tarlac

Radiologic Technology
Department

QAQC

Swaye V. Bongcormo
BSRT-3A Submitted to: Sir. Kelvin Ramos
BEAM ALIGNMENT TEST

What is Beam alignment test?

Beam alignment tests are performed to check the perpendicularity of the x-ray beam to
the image receptor. The focal spot size for diagnostic x-ray machines is checked to ensure
that focal spot size and shape are not altered as a result of bombardment of electrons on
the target.

Procedure

Collimator beam alignment test

• Using 100 cm focus film distance (FFD), set collimator at 20 cm x 20 cm field size on
surface of loaded cassette.

• Place metal coins or paper clips on top of cassette as shown in next slide.

•Expose the film at 60 kVp and 4 8 mAs.

• Process the film.

• Check whether the distance between outer edges

of image and of paper clips/coins is
within +/2% of FFD.
Coin to identify right upper corner.

Edge of light.

Cassette.

Check of alignment of centre of x-ray beam

•Place unexposed loaded cassette in centre of bucky tray and centre tube to cassette.

•Move tube to 100 cm FFD to bucky tray. Reduce longitudinal collimators to a thin slit

(0.5 cm). Close lateral collimators. Expose using 60 kVp and 4 –8 mAs.

•Do not remove cassette.

Check of alignment of centre of x ray beam (cont)

• Close longitudinal collimators and open lateral collimators to a thin slit. Expose film

again. Process film.

• Bend film in half and check that exposed "cross" is in film centre.

•Acceptable deviation: 1 cm on either side of centre.

• Can also be done for non-bucky radiography. Just move tube so 100 cm FFD is to

cassette top.