3D scanner screens weapons and explosives.

• Author: Foster, Sharon
• Position: Tech Talk

A patented three-dimensional, baggage-screening system, developed by Guardiscan, of Davidson, N.C., can help with the detection of weapons and explosives, said company officials.

According to the company's chief operating officer, William Dryden, the system gathers multiple X-ray images, taken at different voltage or energy levels, then constructs a full image and displays the complete contents of the baggage or cargo.

Highly derailed images can reveal the thickness of objects and specify the material makeup of each item, he said.

Guardiscan's scanner has a throughput of 300 to 350 bags per hour and can be used at...