This technology is new to the metrology field and Exact Metrology is at the forefront of the movement. Industrial CT Scanners allow the inspection of parts' interiors without any harm or destruction to the parts themselves. No other technology in the world has this type of capability.
CT stands for Computed Tomography and the CT scanning of industrial parts utilizes the same type of technology as the medical field’s CT scanning machines--taking multiple readings from various angles and converting the CT grey scale images into voxel-based 3 dimensional point clouds. After the CT scanner generates the point cloud, Exact Metrology can then generate a CAD-to-part comparison map, dimension the part or reverse engineer the part to suit our customer’s needs.
Automated 3D porosity analysis in an automotive control arm.
A method of producing a 3D image of the internal structures of a solid object by the observation and recording of the differences in the effects on the passage of waves of energy [x-rays] impinging or encroaching on those structures.
Add the element of a computer and you get CT (Computed Tomography)—radiography in which that 3D Image is constructed by computer from a series of plane cross-sectional images made along an axis.
The most recognized forms of CT Scanning are Medical and Industrial, and they are fundamentally different. In a medical CT machine, in order to take the radiographic images from different directions, the x-ray unit (radiation source and sensor) is rotated around the stationary patient. For industrial CT Scanning, the x-ray unit is stationary and the work piece is rotated in the beam path.
nanoCT® of an aluminium plate (green) welded with carbon fibers in polyamide matrix
Industrial CT scanning utilizes the ability of x-ray radiation to penetrate objects. With an x-ray tube being the point source, the x-rays pass through the measured object to reach the X-ray sensor. The cone-shaped x-ray beam produces two-dimensional radiographic images of the object which the sensor then treats in a manner similar to the image sensor in a digital camera.
During the tomography process, several hundreds to a few thousand two-dimensional radiographic images are made in sequence—with the measured object in numerous rotated positions. The 3D information is contained in the digital image sequence that is generated. Using applicable mathematical methods, a volume model describing the entire geometry and material composition of the work piece can then be calculated.
View our CT Scanning Services Page highlighting our capabilities using one of the industry’s most advanced CT Scanners manufactured by GOM and ProCon.
Many companies are turning to CT Scanning for industrial non-destructive 3D testing, reproducible 3D metrology and scientific research applications.