NDT

NDT Applications: X-Cube Compact Inspects a Cast of Thousands and Optimizes Workflow

After consulting with GE Inspection Technologies, BUVO decided that the X-Cube Compact would best meet their immediate requirements. Source: GE Inspection Technologies

An X-Cube Compact radioscopic inspection system from GE Inspection Technologies (Huerth, Germany) has helped to optimize inspection workflow and reduce new product development times at BUVO Castings in the Netherlands while supporting the company's underlying business philosophy of continually investing in state-of-the-art plant and machinery.

BUVO Castings b.v. designs, manufactures and assembles aluminum high pressure die castings for the automotive industry, telecommunications, gas and energy and office equipment. Quality control is the cornerstone of BUVO's total operation and the technology of the equipment matches that of the company's production plant, featuring CNC measuring machines and spectral analysis systems.

An X-Cube Compact radioscopic inspection system from GE Inspection Technologies has helped reduce new product development times at BUVO Castings in the Netherlands. Source: GE Inspection Technologies

A vital stage in the manufacturing process is to X-ray the castings to inspect for porosity or shrinkage. As the casting machines operate on a three-shifts-per-day basis, five days a week, this means a very heavy inspection workload. In addition, X-ray is also used extensively in prototype development, where product innovations, manufactured using various casting or machining methods, must be inspected to ensure feasibility of geometry and process.

Consequently, when BUVO's former X-ray inspection system failed, it was imperative that the new machine was put in place as quickly as possible. It was also important that any new machine should reflect the company's commitment to advanced technology. After consulting with GE Inspection Technologies, BUVO decided that the X-Cube Compact would best meet their immediate requirements. Fast delivery-out of stock-and installation were arranged and, since then, the equipment has exceeded their expectations, saving on both costs and inspection times.

The introduction of the new X-ray equipment into the BUVO manufacturing environment has been relatively painless, thanks mainly to the Vistaplus III integrated image enhancement system. It is easy to program for automatic inspection because it is particularly user-friendly. On the control desk the first monitor displays a real-time image of the test piece. The second monitor shows the enhanced image, after using Vistaplus functions such as contrast adjustment and zoom, to allow optimized presentation of areas of interest. On the third TFT monitor the enhanced image is presented together with the reference image. This greatly facilitates evaluation and sentencing. Inspection results can be easily stored for tracking purposes.

BUVO has also experienced a significantly increased inspection throughput compared with the old system. This is because workflow is now optimized by the programmed inspection and because the larger diameter of the Vistalux image intensifier allows more components on a casting tree to be examined at one time. Larger sections of bigger casting can also be inspected compared with the previous system. In addition these same features have also contributed to the reduction in prototype development times, so accelerating the process of bringing new products to market.

BUVO's feelings about their new X-Cube system are perhaps explained best by Quality Manager Frank van Bussel, "Not only did GE Inspection Technologies immediately understand our requirements and the urgency of the situation, but their equipment helped us maintain our competitive edge in the market, as we can now inspect more castings than before, with even greater assurance. In addition, our new X-ray inspection system reflects our image as being a highly technology-driven casting company.

GE Inspection Technologies
+49 2233 6010
www.geinspectiontechnologies.com
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BUVO has experienced a signifi-cantly increased inspection throughput compared with the old system because workflow is now optimized by the programmed inspection.
The larger diameter of the Vistalux image intensifier allows more components on a casting tree to be examined at one time.
Larger sections of bigger casting can also be inspected compared with the previous system.
In addition, these same features have also contributed to the reduction in prototype development times, so accelerating the process of bringing new products to market.