What is film radiography?
Film radiography records an X-ray or gamma-ray exposure on industrial film. The film must be chemically processed before the image can be evaluated, then stored and retrieved as a physical record unless it is digitized.
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Film Radiography vs. Digital Radiography Cost Comparison
Compare the recurring costs of traditional film RT with the speed and digital workflow of direct radiography. See which expenses belong in a real RT-to-DR ROI calculation.
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✓ Practical cost categories✓ Film and DR comparison✓ Annual planning worksheet
Digital radiography can lower recurring inspection costs by removing film and chemical processing and by making images available sooner. Whether DR has the lower total cost depends on inspection volume, labor, detector investment and application requirements.
Understand the methods
What is the difference between film RT and digital radiography?
What is digital radiography?
Digital radiography uses a digital detector array to convert radiation into an electronic image. According to ASNT, DR produces a digital file and enables image display much faster than computed radiography.
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Film RT vs. DR: which costs and workflow steps change?
The equipment price alone does not show the full cost of either method. Compare the complete inspection workflow.
Cost factorFilm RTDigital Radiography
Image availabilityAvailable after film processingAvailable for near-immediate review
ConsumablesFilm, chemicals and processing suppliesNo film or processing chemicals
Processing workflowDarkroom or automatic film processorDetector and digital imaging software
StoragePhysical archive and controlled film storageDigital file storage and backup
SharingPhysical transfer or film digitizationElectronic transfer and remote review
Repeat exposuresMay be discovered after processingImage can be reviewed at the inspection site
Total cost of ownership
What should an RT-to-DR cost calculation include?
Consumables
Film, chemicals, disposal supplies, imaging plates and other materials consumed during inspection.
Labor
Exposure setup, film handling, processing, image review, reporting and time spent repeating rejected images.
Equipment
Detector or processor investment, maintenance, software, service, expected life and replacement risk.
Workflow
Turnaround time, travel, archive space, record retrieval, image sharing, digitization and customer delivery.
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Get the annual cost worksheet and use your inspection volume, labor rates and current film workflow to estimate the recurring costs that matter to your operation.
- Film workflow cost categories
- DR investment considerations
- Annual operating-cost worksheet
- Questions to ask before switching
Frequently asked questions
Film RT and digital radiography FAQs
What is the main cost difference between film RT and digital radiography?
Film radiography carries recurring expenses for film, chemicals, processing, handling and physical storage. Digital radiography usually requires a larger equipment investment but can reduce many of those ongoing workflow costs.
Is digital radiography always cheaper than film?
No. The answer depends on inspection volume, detector cost, application requirements, labor rates and the customer's existing equipment. DR tends to become more financially attractive when utilization and repeatable workflow savings are high.
Does digital radiography eliminate repeat exposures?
No system eliminates every repeat exposure. However, near-immediate image review can help technicians identify positioning or image-quality problems before leaving the inspection location.
What should be included in an RT-to-DR ROI calculation?
Include annual exposures, film and chemical purchases, processing labor, processor maintenance, disposal, storage, digitization, repeat work, training, detector cost, software, service and expected equipment life.
What is the difference between CR and DR?
Computed radiography uses an imaging plate that must be scanned after exposure. Direct digital radiography uses a digital detector array that converts the exposure into a digital image without a separate plate-scanning step.