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Introduction

Neptune scanners are extremely easy to use and can often be found in office and lab environments as well as on the factory floor. The touch screen interface makes it easy to rapidly configure a scan and the included fixutring kit makes it fast and easy to prepare an object for scanning. The steps below show how to run a scan on the Neptune Standard, High Power, and Microfocus.

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Before you Begin

Make sure the scanner is homed and warmed. If your scanner is not warmed or homed, refer to the scanner initialization steps and make sure that you see the two green check marks indicating that the scanner is warmed and homed before beginning.

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Four Steps to Running a Scan

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Step 1: Fixture the Part

Use the included angled foam fixtures or lollipop set to elevate your part form teh turn table and secure it so that it won’t move during scanning. Remember:

  • Maximum Sample Weight support by the turntable is 5 kg / 11 lbs.
  • Lower density material can isolate the part from the turntable.
  • Angle flat surfaces to minimize artifacts.
  • Prevent unwanted motion by using turntables with features to prevent slippage.
  • Customize! Lumafield offers a variety of starter fixtures to get you going but take advantage of the ¼-20 threaded baseplates and prototype your own fixtures optimized for your unique components.

Review the Neptune fixturing guide for more detailed guidance.

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Step 2: Name the Scan and Select Its Destination

Optional: set an analysis recipe to run on the scan when complete.
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Step 3 Position the Part

Start with the door open. This is important to minimize the risk of crashing.
With the door to the scanner open, carefully increase the magnification. Rotate the part 360 degrees periodically to make sure that the part and the fixturing do not hit either the source, the filter wheel, or the detector.

On a Neptune Microfocus, this looks like this:

And on a Neptune Standard or High Power, it looks like this:

Once the part is at the correct magnification, close the door, turn on the X-rays, and press the “Verify Bounds” button to check that the part does not exit the field of view (FOV). If it does, reduce the magnification and run “Verify Bounds” again, repeating until the part does not exit the FOV.

If you have the Expanded Volume Module, you can also increase the offset to ensure that the part stays within the FOV.
Note, the part can exit the FOV, but this will reduce scan quality at the edge of the scan and may require manual axis of rotation correction.
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Step 4: Set the Scan Time

Specify whether the part is single or multi- material.

Set your desired scan time either using the slider or by tapping the scan time field and typing in a scan time in minutes. The longer the scan time, the higher the quality of the resulting scan.

Press “Optimize and Start Scan” to run your scan!