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The lack of traceability to meter of X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) measurements still hinders a more extensive acceptance of CT in coordinate metrology and industry. To ensure traceable, reliable, and accurate measurements, the determination of the task-specific measurement uncertainty is necessary. The German guideline VDI/VDE 2630 part 2.1 describes a procedure to determine the measurement uncertainty for CT experimentally by conducting several repeated measurements with a calibrated test specimen. However, this experimental procedure is cost and effort intensive. Therefore, the simulation of dimensional measurement tasks conducted with X-ray computed tomography can close these drawbacks. Additionally, recent developments towards a resource and cost-efficient production (“smart factory”) motivate the need for a corresponding numerical model of a CT system (“digital twin”) as well. As there is no standardized procedure to determine the measurement uncertainty of a CT system by simulation at the moment, the project series CTSimU was initiated, aiming at this gap. Concretely, the goal is the development of a procedure to determine the measurement uncertainty numerically by radiographic simulation. The first project (2019-2022), "Radiographic Computed Tomography Simulation for Measurement Uncertainty Evaluation - CTSimU" developed a framework to qualify a radiographic simulation software concerning the correct simulation of physical laws and functionalities. The most important outcome was a draft for a new guideline VDI/VDE 2630 part 2.2, which is currently under discussion in the VDI/VDE committee. The follow-up project CTSimU2 "Realistic Simulation of real CT systems with a basic-qualified Simulation Software" will deal with building and characterizing a digital replica of a specific real-world CT system. The two main targets of this project will be a toolbox including methods and procedures to configure a realistic CT system simulation and to develop tests to check if this replica is sufficient enough. The result will be a draft for a follow-up VDI/VDE guideline proposing standardized procedures to determine a CT system's corresponding characteristics and test the simulation (copy) of a real-world CT system which we call a "digital twin".
The project series CTSimU was initiated with the goal to develop a set of procedures to enable the determination of the task-specific measurement uncertainty of a CT system numerically by radiographic simulation. The first project (2019-2022) “Radiographic Computed Tomography Simulation for Measurement Uncertainty Evaluation - CTSimU” was focused on the sufficient physical correctness of the radiographic simulation and created as a result a test framework for simulation softwares and a draft of a VDI standard in the series VDI/VDE 2630 for this application. However, for the realistic simulation of a CT system in a simulation software (i.e. a digital twin), not only the correctness of the simulation software itself is crucial, but also the quality of the parameterization of the CT system in the simulation software - this represents the starting point of the 2nd project “Realistic Simulation of real CT systems with a basic-qualified Simulation Software - CTSimU2” (2022-2024).
The parameterization of a CT system in a simulation software can be divided into four steps: after the data acquisition at the real CT system (step 1) follows the evaluation of the acquired data for the generation of general parameter specifications (step 2). It follows the transfer of the parameters into the specific simulation software (step 3) and the validation of the resulting simulation parameters by a suitable test (step 4). The intended result of the project CTSimU2 is a draft VDI standard (for VDI/VDE 2630) for this test, which contains an informative annex on the state of the art regarding the possibilities for parameter determination.
Virtual CT with aRTist
(2023)
The software aRTist is a simulation tool for the generation of realistic radiographs of virtual radiographic superstructures.
With radiographic simulations, virtual component models can be scanned as in a computer tomograph.
Industrial X-ray computed tomography (CT) enables the non-destructive detection of internal and external surfaces as well as inhomogeneities of technical objects. Virtual CT offers new possibilities for the investigation of parameter influences of this complex testing and measuring technique. In addition to the option of switching physical effects on and off, scanning movements can also be tested before their technical realization.
The virtual CT generates projection images from different directions for the subsequent reconstruction of a volume model of the examined object. The reconstruction of the simulated scans is carried out with the algorithms and programs for real scans. Tomographic scans consist of a large number of projections, which practically cannot be generated individually by the user of a simulation. The software offers various options for the automated simulation of tomographic scans. These range from standard CT to scans on free trajectories or with individual projection matrices.
The interest in using computer simulations of dimensional x-ray computed tomography (dXCT) for various metrological purposes—such as measurement planning, performance prediction, performance optimisation and, finally, measurement uncertainty estimation—is increasing along with the ever-growing demand for more reliable measurements with dXCT. However, before a piece of simulation software can be used for tasks related to coordinate metrology, it has to be ensured that it is able to simulate physical laws, characteristic effects and basic CT system functionalities correctly and with sufficient accuracy. In short, the software must be qualified for dimensional metrology tasks. As one part of such a qualification process, a method is presented here for determining conformity intervals of 2D tests (projection-based tests) based on 3D tests (testing based on dimensional evaluations in a reconstructed volume) for the assessment of dXCT simulation software. The method consists of varying relevant parameter values in order to verify their influence on 3D measurement results. The results of the 3D tests with varied parameter values are then transferred to the quantities tested in the 2D tests and used as the basis for determining conformity intervals. Two approaches are applied for determining whether or not a variation of a parameter value is significant: (a) statistical and (b) heuristic. Two examples are presented, each based on simulated images, which show the application of the two different approaches for determining conformity intervals for the results of the 2D tests.
Radiografische Simulationswerkzeuge wie aRTist, ScorpiusXLab, SimCT oder CIVA CT verwenden analytische Methoden und physikalische Monte-Carlo-Teilchentransportsimulationen, um die Interaktionsprozesse zwischen Röntgenstrahlung und Materie zu simulieren. Die berechneten Projektionen bilden anschließend unter Berücksichtigung einer definierten Scan-Trajektorie die Basis der Simulation einer röntgencomputertomografischen Untersuchung.
Für den erfolgreichen Einsatz der Computertomografie, sei es als zerstörungsfreie Prüfmethode oder beim dimensionellen Messen, ist es generell notwendig, bekannte Fehler- bzw. Abweichungsquellen des Messverfahrens auszuschließen oder zu reduzieren. Dabei hat sich gezeigt, dass die Auswahl der Messparameter und die Erfahrung des Anwenders direkten Einfluss auf das erzielbare Messergebnis einer computertomografischen Untersuchung nehmen. Es ist daher sinnvoll, die Parameterauswahl in einem virtuellen Simulationsaufbau vorher zu erproben und an die Messaufgabe anzupassen.
Neben der Optimierung von Messparametern finden radiografische Simulationswerkzeuge auch Anwendung für Machbarkeitsstudien und werden zur Schulung von Anwendern im Bereich der Röntgen-Computertomografie verwendet.
Radiografische Simulationswerkzeuge befinden sich in einem stetigen Wandel, beispielsweise durch die Entwicklung neuer Rekonstruktionsmethoden, durch Erweiterung von analytischen Modellen, durch Integration komplexer Trajektorien oder durch Berücksichtigung von prozessbedingten geometrischen Abweichungen. Im laufenden EMPIR-Projekt „AdvanCT“ entsteht deshalb ein „Good Practice Guide“ für die Simulationsumgebung aRTist. Ziel dieses Guides ist es, die mit steigender Komplexität verbundenen Einstiegshürden für Anwender von aRTist zu reduzieren, um damit einen praxisnahen Zugang zur virtuellen Computertomografie zu ermöglichen. Dabei werden anhand von praktisch nachvollziehbaren Beispielen die grundlegenden Mechanismen der Simulationsumgebung erklärt und ein strukturierter Leitfaden zur Simulation röntgencomputertomografischer Untersuchungen mit aRTist vermittelt.
In diesem Beitrag werden erste Auszüge des Guides sowie eine Übersicht der weiteren geplanten Themen für die anschließende Diskussion vorgestellt.
Virtual CT acquisition and reconstruction of complex and noisy scanning trajectories in aRTist
(2019)
In modern CT imaging, simulation has become an important tool to minimize cost- and time-intensive measurements. It is increasingly used to optimize techniques for complex applications, to support the preparation of written procedures, and for educational purposes. We extended the CT simulation software ‘aRTist’ with a module to set-up arbitrary trajectories including disturbing influences during the scan. Moreover, such geometric deviations can be compensated by the internal reconstruction tool.
The inspection of complex-shaped components, such as those enabled by additive manufacturing, is a major challenge in industrial quality assurance. A frequently adopted approach to volumetric non-destructive evaluation is X-ray computed tomography, but this has major drawbacks. Two-dimensional radiography can overcome some of these problems, but does not generally provide an inspection that is as capable.
Moreover, designing a detailed inspection for a complex-shaped component is a labour-intensive task, requiring significant expert input. In response, a computational framework for optimizing the data acquisition for an image-based inspection modality has been devised. The initial objective is to advance the capabilities of radiography, but the algorithm is, in principle, also applicable to alternative types of imaging. The algorithm exploits available prior
information about the inspection and simulations of the inspection modality to allow the Determination of the optimal inspection configuration, including specifically component poses with respect to the imaging system. As an intermediate output, spatial maps of inspection performance are computed, for understanding spatially varying limits of detection. Key areas of innovation concern the defect detectability evaluation for arbitrarily complex indications and the creation of an application-specific optimization algorithm. Initial trials of the algorithm are presented, with good results.
Industrial radiography or Radiographic Testing (RT) is a method of non-destructive testing where many types of manufactured components can be examined to verify the internal structure and integrity of the specimen. The computer program aRTist can generate synthetic radiographs from a virtual RT test set-up. In the field of industrial radiology simulation is used, e.g. to optimize techniques for complex applications, to support the preparation of written procedures, and for education purposes.
The simulator aRTist combines analytical and Monte Carlo methods to efficiently model the radiation transport. The program comes with a graphical user interface written in Tcl/Tk. In combination of Tcl/Tk and the 3D capabilities of the visualization toolkit (VTK) a practical and convenient simulator has been realized. This will be illustrated by discussing application scenarios of classical radiography, X-ray computer tomography, and X-ray backscatter imaging. Additionally, some insight to the software implementation of the simulator will be given.
Carrying out dimensional measurements by CT means assessing coordinates in space. CT must therefore be treated as a coordinate measuring technique similar to optical or tactile Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs). The well-established standards and guidelines for the acceptance- and verificationtesting of CMMs require the use of calibrated reference standards to achieve measurement machine characteristics.
Hence, transferring these concepts from coordinate metrology to CT, a dedicated CT-specific reference standard was designed, manufactured and calibrated using a tactile CMM. For comparison purposes, a CAD model was created by reverse engineering using the calibration data. The calibrated model was fed into a virtual CT and the measurement process was simulated. The reference standard was measured by micro-CT.
By comparing the characteristics of the measurement output of CT and the output gained from simulation, the influences of measurement artefacts can be judged, for the first time, in analogy to existing Guidelines of coordinate metrology.