Computed tomography in quality control: chances and challenges

Language
en
Document Type
Article
Issue Date
2014-07-30
Issue Year
2013
Authors
Weckenmann, Albert
Krämer, Philipp
Editor
Abstract

Since the first applications of computed tomography for medical diagnostics in the 1970s, the technology has been rapidly adopted for non-destructive testing of casted workpieces or complex assemblies. In 2005, the first coordinate measuring machine with computed tomography sensor has been presented for manufacturing metrology and quality control. Today, there exist numerous different manufacturers as the benefits for metrology are convincing. Computed tomography offers the possibility to acquire a measurement object holistically, that is, the whole volume of the object, not only the surface, with a very high point density of typically several millions of points. Current research and development activities are focused on several different aspects of computed tomography. First, the machine components are analysed and improved with respect to application in metrology. Larger detectors with better resolution or X-ray tubes with smaller focal spots may help in improving the machine’s accuracy. Second, algorithms for reconstruction and artefact reduction are developed, especially for metrological purpose. As technical measurement objects feature a greater variety of material properties than in medical diagnostics, different strategies have to be investigated. The most crucial point is that not only the image quality of the radiographies or the reconstructed data is important but also the measurement accuracy plays the decisive role. Finding the interrelation between image quality and measurement accuracy is an important research topic. Third, from a metrological point view, the determination of measurement accuracy and measurement uncertainty for computed tomography measurements is an important task. Methods for experimental and simulation-based uncertainty determination are developed at the time being.

Journal Title
Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part B: Journal of Engineering Manufacture
Volume
227
Issue
5
Citation
Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part B: Journal of Engineering Manufacture 227.5 (2013): S.634-642. 30.07.2014 <http://pib.sagepub.com/content/227/5/634>
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