Industrial computed tomography scanning

Industrial computed tomography (CT) scanning is any computer-aided tomographic process, usually x-ray computed tomography, that (like its medical imaging counterparts) uses irradiation (usually with x-rays) to produce three-dimensional representations of the scanned object both externally and internally. Industrial CT scanning has been used in many areas of industry for internal inspection of components. Some of the key uses for CT scanning have been flaw detection, failure analysis, metrology, assembly analysis and reverse engineering applications. Just as in medical imaging, industrial imaging includes both nontomographic radiography (industrial radiography) and computed tomographic radiography (computed tomography).

Fan/line beam scanners-translate

Line scanners are the first generation of industrial CT Scanners. X-rays are produced and the beam is collimated to create a line. The X-ray line beam is then translated across the part and data is collected by the detector. The data is then reconstructed to create a 3-D Volume rendering of the part.

Cone beam scanners-rotate

During the CT scan the part is placed on a rotary table. As the part rotates the cone of X-rays produce about 1300 2D images which are collected by the detector. The 2D images are then processed to create a 3D volume rendering of the external and internal geometries of the part.

Industrial CT scanning technology was introduced in 1972 with the invention of the CT scanner by G. Hounsfield. The invention earned him a Nobel Prize in medicine, which he shared with Allan Cormack.

Many advances in CT scanning have allowed for its use in the industrial field for metrology in addition to the visual inspection primarily used in the medical field (medical CT scan).

Various inspection uses and techniques include:

Part-to-CAD comparisons, part-to-part comparisons, assembly / defect analysis, void analysis, wall thickness analysis, and generation of CAD data for reverse engineering requirements and GD&T (geometric dimensioning and tolerance) analysis to meet PPAP (production part approval process) requirements.

Assembly Inspection: One of the most recognized forms of analysis using CT is for assembly, or visual analysis. CT scanning has been largely used as an imaging tool for medical purposes. For industrial CT scanning, the ability to see inside a component is very beneficial, since internal components can be seen in their functioning position without disassembly. Some software programs for industrial CT scanning allow for measurements to be taken from the CT dataset volume rendering. These measurements are useful for determining the clearances between assembled parts or simply a dimension of an individual feature.

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Wikipedia