X-ray measurement lowers cost, time of tooling adjustments

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Correct processing of resulting data paramount to success

In addition to a stable system structure that is adapted to the specific application at hand, data processing is the key to successful measurement using computer tomography. The complete process chain can be fully automated using GE Inspection Technologies’ Phoenix Datos X CT software's click & measure CT function. This function not only reduces operation time, but also the user's influence on CT results, which therefore increases repeatability. The process needs only be programmed once for a workpiece, and the complete scanning and reconstruction process is fully automated, including volume optimisation and surface extraction. Thanks to the automatic activation of 3D metrology software such as Polyworks by Innovmetric, an automatically generated test report can be available in less than an hour.

Effective 3D measuring of a virtual component

A significant advantage of CT is the ability to carry out fast visual checks using nominal/actual value comparisons. (Photo 1.) For example, as part of a first sample report, the finished part can be quickly and easily analysed to check whether it complies with crucial functional dimensions and shape specifications. This provides considerable potential for time and cost savings in many application fields where there is comparable precision compared with the mainstream coordinate measurement technology. Polyworks offers excellent analysis functions for the polygon models generated by CT data. Users have a number of available alignment options, from best-fit to the plane/vector point, through to reference points.

Polyworks' simple yet exactly “parameterisable” functions for generating features from polygon models make it a user-friendly and effective tool. In addition to comparisons of nominal and actual value geometries, a range of geometric dimensioning and tolerancing calculations are possible. The user can choose from various comparative methods and colour scales to show a polygon model's two-dimensional deviation from the CAD reference.

Surface comparisons, for example, can be shown directly on the polygon model and/or CAD as a false colour image so deviations can be seen at a glance. For detailed analysis, comparison points give users an exact and repeatable display of deviations from defined nominal value points on the CAD. In addition, Polyworks has measuring tools such as sections, 2D and 3D callipers, profile guides and gap and flush measurements.

Polyworks can also be used in combination with CT systems as a production aid. Automated processes are greatly simplified thanks to the series parametric measurement function with statistical analysis and macros.

The new automatic project update feature also means that every change to a parameter is immediately applied to alignments, comparisons, measuring tools and reports. Each measurement is therefore reproducible, parameterisable and repeatable. This provides users with considerable time and cost savings.

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