PROCESSING X-RAY

SYSTEMS PRODUCTION
Automatic When fast moving electrons
moving at the speed of light collide with a
metal object, x-rays are produced.
Manual

Digital

Daylight
FILM PROCESSING
HISTORY OF Wetting
Manual
15s
Automatic

AUTOMATIC Developing
Rinsing
5min
30s
22s

PROCESSING Fixing
Washing
15min
20min
22s
20s
The first automatic processor was Drying 30min 26s
introduced in 1942 and could process 120
films per hour with the use of special film
hangers. These film hangers were dunked
WETTING
from one tank to another. The total cycle Water penetrates the gelatin of the
time for processing one film was emulsion, causing it to swell. In automatic
approximately every 40 minutes. processing, the wetting agent is in the
Automatic processing advanced developer.
significantly in 1956, when the Eastern
Kodak Company introduced the first roller
transport system for processing medical
DEVELOPING
radiographs. The roller transport The principal action of the
automatic processor was about 10 feet developer is to change the silver ions of
long, weighed nearly three quarters of a exposed crystals onto metallic silver. The
ton, and sold for approximately $350, 000 developer provides electrons to the
in todays dollars. Another significant sensitivity center of the crystal to change
breakthrough was Eastman Kodaks the silver ions to silver.
introduction of 90-second automatic
processing in 1965. Rapid processing was FIXING
possible because of the development of
new chemistry and emulsions, as well as When development is complete,
the faster drying permitted by a polyester the film must be treated so the image will
film base. With this processor, the dry-to- not fade. The image is said to be fixed on
drop time is 90 seconds. This type of the film, and this produces film of archival
automatic processing system remains the quality.
standard.
WASHING
 The next stage of processing is to
wash away any residual chemicals
DRYING
remaining in the emulsion, particularly For the final step of processing,
hypo that clings to the surface of the film. warm air is blown over both surfaces of
Inadequate washing leads to excessive the film as it is transported through the
hypo retention and production of an image drying chamber.
that will fade, turn brown with time, and
be of generally poor archival quality.