With the advancements of many manufacturing processes, computed tomography (CT) and digital radiography (DR) are continuing to expand into new sectors of nearly all industries. Historically, these nondestructive testing (NDT) methods were primarily used for inspection of critical components, however, we are seeing an increasing number of companies extensively applying these technologies beyond just inspection work.

Many components and assemblies have internal features that are difficult to inspect, none more so than additively manufactured parts. Conventional quality control requires samples to be sectioned and subsequently scrapped.

I often hear, “How accurate can this be measured using CT?” For CT accuracy and precision should be considered together. For accuracy versus precision, picture a target.

Are you a manufacturer researching ways to improve and increase productivity, as your cast parts become more complex?

Over the last couple of years, numerous articles have been published by OEM equipment providers on the uses and benefits of industrial CT scanning for manufactured parts.

Virtually every manufacturer must perform some kind of testing or inspection to ensure their products meet their own internal quality standards, governmental requirements or the standards their customers set.

Industrial computed tomography has been a buzz-worthy technology for several years, and NDT experts know it’s a valuable tool for inspecting the complex internal geometries of 3D-printed parts, or for finding porosity in both additively and traditionally manufactured parts.

For over a decade, 2D digital radiography (DR) has been aggressively replacing film radiography in applications spanning across most industries. DR image quality continues to improve with higher quality and faster speed flat panel detectors being offered.

Effective quality management is crucial for the success of aerospace, an industry where failure is simply not an option.

Interest is growing across many industries in the use of X-ray computed tomography (CT) for dimensional metrology in the pursuit of improved quality control.