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1. Double-click the IMS icon (Figure 1). IMS initializes the instrument, tests communications, homes the motion control system and verifies the Dark and Light Calibrations. For more information refer to the XMSL User Guide.

Figure 1. - IMS icon.

2. Prior to imaging cores the user must:

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1. Select DAQ > Measurement Editor from the IMS panel menu (Figure 2).
   1. Interval: Number of centimeters the core will move between each image. This value is hardcoded in IMS software and cannot be changed in this window. This interval guarantees image overlap and maximizes system efficiency. Default interval is set at 12 cm.
   2. Width: Fixed length of the produced image. This value is dependent on the detector and hardware setup. Default length is 15 cm.
   3. Stack: Number of x-radiographs taken at each position. These images are stacked and averaged to produce the final raw image. 20 images is the standard. Stacking more images does not improve the image quality further. See the User Guide, 'Image Stacking' section for more information.
   4. Exposure Time: Duration of each exposure in milliseconds.
   5. kV: X-ray tube voltage. Maximum voltage for the source is 120 kV. Lowering the voltage while maintaining the number of x-rays penetrating the core (longer exposure or higher current) will increase image contrast.
   6. mA: X-ray tube current. Maximum current for the source is 1 mA. Increasing the current will increase contrast if voltage is kept constant.

Figure 2. - XMSL Measurement Editor Window.

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1. Place section in the core tray. Make sure the section is oriented blue endcap towards the X-Ray source (Figure 3).

Figure 3. - Correct core position.

2. Click START. The Section Information screen is displayed (Figure 4).

Figure 4. - XMSL Section Information Screen. 

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5. Ensure that the section is inside the track system (using the first loading door) and that all doors are properly closed. Green and yellow lights on top of the lead box should be on. If doors aren't properly closed the green light will not appear, and a error message will be displayed on the screen (Figure 5).

Figure 5. - Warning message indicating that the source is not ready to ramp up.

NOTE: If both doors are closed properly and this message is displayed, please contact the PP technician.

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8. When the section is over the detector, the x-ray source will ramp up and a status window will be displayed on the screen (Figure 6). Once mA and kV are stable, the window will close and image acquisition will begin. User may abort at any time by clicking the ABORT button.

Figure 6. - X-Ray status. As the source ramps up, the measured values will update.

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9. The instrument will move each section down the track system, automatically taking images along section (Figure 7). This continues, until the actuator reaches its limit switch and returns to it's home position. 

Figure 7. - IMS display during imaging. 

10. The source ramps down, and a window with the message 'X-RAY OFF'  is displayed on the screen (Figure 8). The red light on top of the lead box turns off.

Figure 8. X- X-Ray OFF status window.

11. XMSL Section Information window window is displayed on the screen (Figure 89).

Figure 89. - Sample Information Window- Pusher End Sequence View.

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1. At any time during imaging a user can click the ABORT button to end the imaging process and ramp down the source.
2. A dialog window with different options will appear (Figure 910).

Figure 910. - Abort by User dialog box. 

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