Automatic processing of X-ray film involves passing exposed film through different chemical solutions - developer, fixer, wash, and dryer - inside an automatic processor. The processor uses rollers to transport the film between temperature-controlled solutions over a total processing time of around 90 seconds. This ensures consistent film quality and faster processing compared to manual methods. While automatic processors produce dry films immediately, they can potentially cause artifacts and require more expensive maintenance than manual processing.

1. Automatic processing of
X-ray film
Md. Rony Ibne Masud
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202

2. Introduction
 X-ray film processing refers to the series of steps that converts the latent image into
the visible radiographic image
 The radiographic image is produced by the interaction of x-rays with photographic
emulsion on a film after passing through an object
 And ultimately the captured invisible image converted into visible form of image
The main objectives is to-
 Visible image formation
To remove all unexposed and undeveloped silver halide crystals from the emulsion
Prevention of image permanently for later correspondent

3. Types of processing
A. Manual processing
Visual Method
Time Temperature method
B. Automatic processing

4. Manual processing
Visual method: This is carried out in a dark room with safe lighting conditions.
This method consist of several steps;
Developing the film
Rinsing
Fixing
Washing
Drying

5. Manual processing
Time temperature method:
Immersing the film into the developer and kept at a constant temperature for a
fixed duration of time.
Temperature Development time
65°F 6 Minutes
68°F 5 Minutes
70°F- 72°F 4 Minutes
76°F 3 Minutes

6. Automatic processing
In automatic processing machines, the exposed film is fed at one end and it passes
successively through-
I. Developer
II. Fixer
III. Water and
IV. Drier
The roller system has a squeezing action; the developing solution absorbed by the
gelatin of the emulsion will be less as it is transported from the developer to the fixer.
The automatic processing machines make use of roller system for the transport of
film.
The film comes out through the other end of the processor, processed, dry, and ready
for viewing.

7. Objectives of Using Automatic X-ray film processing
method:
Make the development of high quality X-rays
Move X-ray films from one solution to the next, in the film developing process,
without the need for human intervention
Shortens the overall processing time
Ensures less variability of overall film quality than manually processed films
Increases the number of films that can be processed in a given period
the processing time, solution temperature, and chemical replenishment are
automatically controlled

8. Steps of automatic film processing
Developing
Rinsing
Fixing
Washing
Drying

9. Developing
First step of processing of the radiograph
It amplifies the latent image by 100,000,000
It convert invisible image into visible image
It is the process of chemical reaction where the reduction is achieved by the developer
donating electrons to silver ions.
Ag⁺+ Electron Ag
The agent used in the stages are-
Solvent: Water, Gelatin, calcium salts
Developing agents: Phenidone, Hydroquinone, Metol

10. Developing
Accelerators: Sodium hydroxide, Sodium carbonate, Borates
Buffers: Carbonate
Anti fogging: Potassium bromide, Benzotriazole
Preservatives: Sodium Sulphite
Hardeners: Glutaraldehyde
Sequencing agents: EDTA

11. Rinsing
Removed the developer solution; Gelatin
Reduces the speed of development
It takes around 30 seconds

12. Fixing
It is the complete process of hardening of the film emulsion
The major constituents of fixing solutions are:-
1) Solvent: Water
2) Fixing agents: Cyanides, Thiosulfates
3) Acid: Acetic acid
4) Hardener: Aluminium chloride, Aluminium sulfate
5) Buffer: Sodium Acatate
6) Preservatives: Sodium sulfate
7) Antisludging agents: Boric acid

13. Washing & Drying
Wash & Dry after developing and fixing
Washing removes the thiosulfate complex

14. The automatic film processor

15. Parts of a automatic film processor

16. Parts of a automatic film processor

17. Systems of an Automatic Processor
I. The Film feed section
II. Transport system
III. Temperature control system
IV. Recirculation system
V. Replenishment system
VI. Dryer system
VII. Electrical system

18. Temperature control system
 Maintains the below temperature:
Processing Temperatures
Developer 35°C
Fixer 35°C
Wash 32-35°C
Dryer 57°C

19. Processing times
Processing Times(seconds)
Developer 20-25
Fixer 20
Wash 20
Dryer 20-30
Travel time 10
Total time 90

20. Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
Faster
Density and contrast is constant
Time and temperature controlled
Produce dry radiograph immediately
Disadvantages:
Artifacts caused by rollers
Expensive and require maintenance