Golden Engineering portable pulsed X-ray generators
Golden Engineering, Inc. is an American maker of portable pulsed X-ray generators; units have been built in Centerville, Indiana since 1973.
The range covers the 150 kV XR150 and XR200, the 270 kV XRS3, the 370 kV XRS4, and the XRS3MD and XRS4MD series with forward and side beams. Power comes from DeWalt 20 V batteries.
Choose a direction
The specifications come from the manufacturer's pages and manuals. Penetration and dose depend on the object, the imaging system and the shooting conditions, and are confirmed at quotation; the manufacturer publishes part numbers for replaceable items but no prices or lead times, and we declare no Russian certificates or verification. We are neither a dealer, nor a representation, nor an official supplier of the brand.
Manufacturer and range
Golden Engineering, Inc. is an American manufacturer of battery-powered portable pulsed X-ray generators. The company was founded in 1973 and builds its units in Centerville, Indiana. The generators work in more than 75 countries, with distributors and service providers in more than 40. The manufacturer points out that this is the only portable generator range powered by commercially available DeWalt battery packs.
From XR150 to XRS4: four power classes and two MD series models
XR150 GFX 20V
The smallest and lightest model: 150 kV at 5.7 lb (2.58 kg) with the battery. It runs on a DeWalt 20 V pack, has a backlit graphic display with on-board help, a programmable delay of 5 to 240 seconds, multiple pulse trains and two resettable counters. The cutsheet quotes 2.4 mR per pulse and ¾ inch of steel penetration; expected glass tube life is about 30,000 pulses.
9,000 pulses per charge, ¾ inch of steel
XR200
A 150 kV unit weighing 11 lb (5.0 kg) that the manufacturer calls its best-selling model. The single-package housing is built for harsh field conditions and the tube is field-replaceable — part number 2000020 — so the unit does not have to go back to the factory. Electronics and the battery compartment are shared with the XRS3, which simplifies servicing a mixed fleet.
6,000 pulses per charge, 60,000 pulse tube life
XRS3
A 270 kV generator weighing 11.8 lb (5.4 kg). The manufacturer calls it the most versatile unit: high penetrating ability in a compact package, up to one inch of steel with digital imaging systems. It is rated for arctic and desert conditions, fires 21 pulses per second, and its glass tube is expected to last about 100,000 pulses.
5,500 pulses per charge, 25 ns pulse width
XRS4
The most powerful generator in the range: 370 kV at 18.3 lb (8.3 kg) with more than 1.5 inches of steel penetration. The housing is aluminium and the handle contains a bellows that improves durability. The electronics module was updated in 2015 to a menu that sets the pulse rate, builds pulse trains with rests and tracks machine life; since 2018 the model carries an 80-character display.
3,000 pulses per charge, 10 ns pulse width
XRS3MD and XRS4MD: forward and side beam
The Multi-Directional series is the first to combine a forward and a rotational side beam in one unit. The gold side cap rotates 360° and works in tight spaces, while the blue front cap stays compatible with existing accessories. Caps are field-interchangeable, so the beam direction follows the object. Forward dose is 3 mR (XRS3MD) and 5 mR (XRS4MD) per pulse; the side beam gives 0.6 and 2 mR.
15 and 9 pulses per second
Power from off-the-shelf batteries
Every model runs on DeWalt 20 V batteries. The standard pack is the 2 Ah DCB203, and packs up to 12 Ah are supported, so capacity can be matched to the job. The DCB115 charger comes in 110 V and 220 V versions and recharges in under an hour. The manufacturer treats this as an advantage: batteries and chargers are available in any region.
Under an hour to charge, 18–20 V Li-Ion
Controls and operating modes
The manufacturer describes operation as a single input variable: the operator sets the number of pulses and the electronics do the rest. The menu offers the pulse rate, several pulse trains with rests between them, a programmable delay of 5 to 240 seconds and counters — two resettable ones plus a total pulse counter. The graphic display is readable in direct sunlight and has a context-sensitive help button.
5–240 s delay, multiple pulse trains
Safety and duty cycle
The generators are pulsed, with pulse widths of 10–50 nanoseconds, and contain no radioactive material. The housing is rated IP54 and the operating range is −20 to +70 °C. Duty cycle is limited to 200 pulses every 4 minutes — up to 3,000 pulses per hour — with a 30-second rest every 50 pulses in demanding conditions. The manufacturer requires registration with the authorities and notes that Geiger-type survey meters do not measure pulsed radiation accurately.
IP54, −20 to +70 °C, up to 3,000 pulses per hour
CR and DR imaging compatibility
The generators work with both Computed Radiography and Direct Radiography. In a CR system the image is captured on a photo-stimulable phosphor plate, developed by a laser scanner, and several plates can be placed behind an object and stitched together. A DR system uses a flat panel detector or a fluorescent screen with a CCD camera, connected by cable or wirelessly, with the operator firing pulses from a computer or tablet.
CR: seconds to a minute; DR: a few seconds
Applications and industries
The manufacturer groups applications into four areas. Security: inspecting suspect items on mass transit and at airports, embassies and universities; searching vehicles for contraband; bomb squad work. Non-destructive testing: electronics, petrochemicals and general manufacturing, including field inspection without mains power. Forensics: fire, post-blast and product failure investigations, examining objects in place. Other: historical artefacts, animals and structural checks.
40-degree open beam
Accessories and replaceable parts
The manufacturer publishes part numbers for replaceable items: the DCB203 battery is 1800106, the DCB115 chargers are 1800151 and 1800164, the 7-pin K remote cable is 1809030, and adapter cables run from 1809000 to 1809039. The list also covers carrying cases, handles, tripod mounts, keys, fuses, 10–60 MIL copper filters and lead collimators. A field-replaceable tube is offered for the XR200 only — part number 2000020.
Part numbers published, no price list
Service, documentation and warranty
The support page carries operator manuals by generation: 20 V GFX, GFX-MD, 18–20 V LCD, and the earlier 12, 14.4 and 18 V units. Repairs start with a form stating the model, serial number and reason for return; the unit travels without its battery in a rigid case or a box with a custom foam insert. The manufacturer's warranty runs 12 months from shipment to the end user and does not cover wear or scheduled maintenance.
State the material and thickness of the object, the penetration required, the distance to the object, the size of the inspection area, the pulse rate you need and the number of shots per shift. For field work it matters whether mains power is available, and for confined spaces whether a side beam is required. Say separately which imaging system you use: CR with plates or DR with a panel.
Accessories, replaceable parts and service
The replaceable layer: DeWalt 20 V batteries and chargers, remote and adapter cables, 10–60 MIL copper filters, lead collimators, carrying cases, handles, tripod mounts, keys and fuses; a field-replaceable tube is offered for the XR200. The manufacturer publishes part numbers and manuals for every generation, and repairs start with a form stating the model and serial number.
Send the object and the inspection task
State what is required: a generator matched to the object, a replacement battery, cable or collimator, a field kit, a side beam for confined access, training or repair. Add the material, thickness, destination city and shooting conditions. We will say what the manufacturer's documentation confirms and what needs separate checking.
