What is tomography ?
Computed Tomography is a non destructive method that enables the complete 2D and/or 3D high resolution digitization of objects. MicroCT differs from the CT scanning by the use of microfocus X-Ray sources, so image precision can reach few microns. Nevertheless scanned objects have to be reduced size (a few centimeters).
There are two processes of CT scanning
Tomography known as « medical CT » : the target is motionless, the X-ray source and the X-ray detector are mobile. Tomography known as « industrial CT » : the object is moving (rotation, rotation/translation), the source and the detector are motionless.
CT and microCT provide two types of information on the scanned object
- Geometrical data : metrology, sizes measurements (length, volume…), geometrical checks, reverse engineering
- Structural data : visualization, density, fitting of materials, structures of alloys, statistical calculations (fibre direction, porosity…)
Main CT and micro-T applications
- Visual analyze of the internal or external object structure
- Detection and characterization of object defection – Non Destructive Testing
- Description or control of density matter differences
- 3D digitization for Reverse Engineering and CAD
- 3D digitisation for cultural heritage and popularisation
Here are some applications in industries (R&D, Design, Research, Quality Control, CND)
- Detect manufacturing defects. As a new technology of NDT, CT can evaluate the conformity of manufacturing objects.
- Analyze a defect. CT scanning can be used to determine the cause of quality defect.
- Characterize an assembly. CT makes it possible to differentiate densities, thus one can easily distinguish various materials
- Characterize a material (before, during and after manufacturing or testing)
- Measure dimensions, sizes
- Carry out a reverse engineering project
Thanks to the exceptional materials range that can be scanned with CT, it is possible to scan a large type of materials, collections or manufactured products.