an x - ray imaging system has an x - ray head containing an x - ray source which emits an x - ray beam . the head is rotatable around a pair of orthogonal axes for orienting the emitted x - ray beam in space . a pair of head angle sensors are located with the x - ray head , each being associated with a different one of the pair of axes for measuring an angle of inclination of the x - ray head dependent on its rotation around its associated axis . a display is operably connected to each head angle sensor through a signal processing unit for providing a graphic displaying of angle information related to each of the measured angles collocated at a single viewing station .