BLOX

In today’s connected manufacturing environment, uptime is critical. As Industry 4.0 and IIoT technologies continue to transform equipment maintenance and optimization, timely access to system data has become more than just a convenience — it’s a key competitive edge.

That’s where BLOX comes in. Key data is already built into our X-ray modules and securely stored. BLOX gives customers web-based access to valuable insights on the health of their tubes and generators. It helps identify early warning signs, understand root causes more clearly, and take timely action to reduce the risk of unplanned downtime.

Many causes of X-ray system downtime can be avoided – if you know where to look. Here’s how BLOX helps detect one of the most common (and costly) failure patterns early.

The issue

Comet generators are designed to protect the tube by gradually ramping down power during a controlled shutdown. However, uncontrolled high-voltage (HV) shutdown can occur when safety interlocks are triggered – often due to untrained operators or timing issues in the PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) that bypass the built-in protection.

The risk

An uncontrolled HV shutdown puts heavy thermal stress on the tube target. Over time, this accelerates wear, reduces dose output, and leads to longer exposure times. Ultimately, it shortens the lifetime of the tube and increases replacement and maintenance costs.

How BLOX helps

• Detects irregular shutdowns and flags them as alerts in the dashboard, including in the “Alerts” tab
• Shows shutdown codes, explains root causes (e.g. safety interlock open) along with recommended next steps

What customers can do

• Use BLOX data to follow up with the end user and recommend changes to avoid repeat issues
• Plan a service visit if there are problems with the setup or PLC

By identifying this pattern early, BLOX helps take quick action – before a small issue turns into a bigger problem.