Industrial CT series measurement - Measurement technology for industry

Industrial computed tomography (CT) has revolutionized the measurement and inspection of the internal structures of components. This non-contact scanning process using X-rays means that components can also be measured automatically. The CT scan produces a precise 3D data set that makes changes to the surface, air inclusions, cracks and much more visible. CT series measurement enables the non-destructive visualization of the inner workings of components and enables rapid error analysis as well as the inspection of material properties.

Why is the CT scan of components important?

Industrial CT series measurement is of great importance today, as the industry is increasingly confronted with shorter product life cycles and complex components. Conventional measurement methods often reach their limits here, while CT series measurement offers a non-destructive and efficient way of analyzing and inspecting components holistically, even in series.

With the development of new manufacturing processes such as additive manufacturing and the production of components with cavities, industrial CT technology is becoming increasingly important. With CT series measurement, defects such as cracks, cavities, pores and inclusions can be identified in order to optimize the manufacturing process, reduce defects and enable 100% inspection.

Thanks to CT series measurement, companies can visualize the inner workings of their components non-destructively and carry out a quick error analysis and check material properties. As a result, they can not only improve the quality of their products, but also save time and money.

Why is industrial CT series measurement an important process?

• Time and cost-saving non-destructive analysis of components
• Enables error identification and optimization of the manufacturing process
• Detects cracks, cavities, pores and inclusions in components
• Efficient way to check material properties
• Relevant contribution to quality assurance

Areas of application for industrial CT measurement

Industrial CT measurement is used in various areas of application, particularly in the foundry and injection molding industries for quality assurance. Here, CT scans enable a detailed error analysis of components and often even the investigation of material properties such as fiber orientation, fiber density and pore size.

CT series measurement can not only be used to detect and analyse defects, but also to optimize the manufacturing process. For the foundry industry, CT series measurement is particularly useful for identifying casting defects such as air inclusions or irregularities in material density and rectifying them as quickly as possible. In the injection moulding industry, CT scans can help to improve the quality of manufactured parts and minimize the risk of defects such as non-filling or mould deviations.

In addition to error analysis and quality control, CT scans also offer the option of creating digital 3D models of the scanned components. These models can be used for virtual archiving to keep the components available for future re-measurements. CT series measurement thus plays an important role in production monitoring and optimization by providing reliable data for process control and improvement.

Further possible applications of CT series measurement:

• Tool optimization
• Measurement of wall thickness and shape and position tolerances
• Verification of assembly errors and connections

CT series measurement therefore offers a wide range of applications to improve quality and efficiency in various industrial sectors.

Advantages of CT series measurement

CT series measurement offers numerous advantages for industrial metrology. Here are some of the most important reasons why companies opt for this method:

• Efficient measurement: CT series measurement enables components to be measured quickly and efficiently. Thanks to the non-contact scanning process and automated measurements, CT series measurement is often faster than conventional measurement methods.
• Non-destructive analysis: With CT series measurement, components can be analyzed non-destructively. This means that no samples need to be taken or components disassembled, which saves time and money.
• Precise 3D data acquisition: CT series measurement creates a precise 3D data set of the components. This allows not only surface changes to be detected, but also internal structures such as cracks, cavities and inclusions.
• Optimization of the manufacturing process: The results of the CT series measurement are used to optimize the manufacturing process. By identifying faults and defects, manufacturing processes can be improved and errors reduced.

Application areas of CT series measurement

CT series measurement is used in various areas of industry. Here are some examples:

• Automotive industry: CT series measurement is used in the automotive industry to test and optimize components such as engines, gearboxes and chassis.
• Aerospace industry: CT series measurement is also used in the aerospace industry to ensure the quality and safety of components.
• Medical technology: In medical technology, CT series measurement is used to check and improve implants, prostheses and other medical devices.
• Electronics industry: The electronics industry also benefits from CT series measurement to analyze and optimize components such as printed circuit boards and housings.

CT series measurement offers companies an efficient and reliable method for inspecting and optimizing components. Thanks to non-destructive analysis and precise 3D data acquisition, defects are detected at an early stage and the manufacturing process can be optimized.

Disadvantages of CT serial measurement

Despite the numerous advantages of CT serial measurement, there are also some disadvantages that should be considered when using this technology. Here are some of the main disadvantages:

1. High acquisition costs: The acquisition costs for an industrial CT scanner can often be high, especially compared to optical 3D scanners. This can be a financial hurdle for many companies, especially smaller businesses.
2. Longer scan times for high-density materials: High-density materials such as metals can result in longer scan times or insufficient scan quality. This can impair the efficiency of CT series measurement, especially when large quantities of components have to be scanned.

Despite these disadvantages, CT serial measurement continues to be used successfully in many industries as its advantages outweigh its potential limitations. Nevertheless, it is important to understand and consider these disadvantages in order to make an informed decision about the application of CT serial measurement.

How the CT series measurement works

CT series measurement is a non-contact scanning process using X-rays to automatically digitize and measure components. The component is passed between an X-ray tube and a sensor to generate a 3D point cloud. In contrast to a medical CT scanner, in industrial CT scanning technology the component usually rotates on a rotary table while the detector records data. There are different types of CT scanners that are suitable for different applications, from tabletop models to industrial floor models.

CT series measurement can be implemented in production plants by integrating it into production lines to enable immediate analysis of parts. This provides an efficient way to analyze and inspect components. The non-destructive measurement of components saves time and costs compared to conventional measurement methods. In addition, digital models of the scanned components are created, enabling virtual archiving and re-measurement. The precise 3D data acquisition of the CT series measurement also enables reproduction without a CAD model and supports error reduction in the manufacturing process.

Application of a CT series measurement in industrial metrology:

• Precise measurement of external and internal components
• Target/actual comparison of components
• Measurement of wall thickness and shape and position tolerances
• Verification of assembly errors and connections

The functionality of a CT series measurement enables a detailed analysis of components and contributes to quality assurance and error reduction. By measuring components quickly and efficiently, manufacturing processes can be optimized and product quality improved.

Materials for a CT series measurement

CT series measurement is a versatile process that is suitable for examining various materials. Both light metals and plastics can be scanned and measured. The exact resolution of the scan depends on factors such as the material and the size of the component and can be accurate down to a few micrometers.

Materials such as plastics are particularly suitable for CT series measurement. Thanks to the non-contact scanning process with X-rays, even complex components can be measured non-destructively. This enables precise analysis of structures and properties such as wall thickness, shape and position. CT series measurement therefore offers an efficient method for the inspection and quality assurance of components.

In addition to plastics, CT series measurement is also suitable for carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP) and aluminum. These materials are frequently used in industry and require precise measurement and analysis in order to identify faults or defects. CT series measurement makes it possible to test these materials non-destructively and provide accurate 3D data.

Areas of application:

• Automotive industry: Inspection of body parts, engine parts and electronic components.
• Aerospace industry: Examination of aircraft components
• Medical technology: Analysis of implants and medical devices.
• Electronics industry: Inspection of electronic components and printed circuit boards.

Overall, CT series measurement offers a wide range of applications in various industries. Thanks to the precise measurement and analysis of materials, it enables a high level of quality assurance and defect detection, which leads to optimized production and a reduction in rejects.

Possible applications of CT series measurement

Series measurement using computed tomography offers a wide range of possible applications in various areas of industrial metrology. From tool optimization and production control to error analysis, it enables precise 3D measurements and target/actual comparisons of external and internal components. CT series measurement can be used to measure the wall thickness, shape and position tolerances of components in order to carry out precise checks and quality assurance.

CT series measurement is also suitable for checking assembly errors and connections. Thanks to the non-destructive visualization of the inner workings of components, any faults or defects can be quickly detected and analysed. In this way, CT series measurement contributes to the optimization of the manufacturing process and enables efficient error reduction.

Overview of possible applications for CT series measurement:

1. Tool optimization
2. (in-line) production control and optimization
3. (in-line) quality assurance
4. Error analysis
5. Verification of assembly errors and connections

With the help of a CT measuring device, companies can ensure that their components meet the required quality standards. CT series measurement enables reliable testing and inspection of components in order to detect and rectify potential faults at an early stage. By accurately measuring and analyzing components, companies can optimize their production processes and increase efficiency.

Conclusion

Series measurement using computed tomography is revolutionizing industrial measurement technology. It enables non-destructive visualization of the inner workings of components and offers fast and efficient fault analysis. The precise 3D data set allows changes to the surface, air inclusions, cracks and much more to be made visible. As a result, CT series measurement helps to optimize the manufacturing process and reduce defects.

Despite the disadvantages, such as the high acquisition costs, CT series measurement offers a number of advantages. It enables the automated and non-contact measurement of components, which saves time and money. As a specialized service provider, we at Q-Tech can fully compensate for these disadvantages. Please contact us for your individual offer for CT series measurement.

CT series measurement is used in various application areas such as tool optimization, production control and quality assurance.

Not only can defects such as cracks, cavities, pores and inclusions be identified and analyzed with CT series measurement, but material properties such as fibre orientation, fibre density and pore size can often also be examined. This optimizes the manufacturing process and improves the quality of the components. CT series measurement offers precise 3D measurement of external and internal components, enables target/actual comparisons and the inspection of wall thickness and shape and position tolerances. It therefore makes a significant contribution to ensuring product quality.