X-ray CT improves all stages of product life cycle

X-ray Computed Tomography is the most advanced technology for 3D inspection. As a nondestructive imaging technique, it operates at all stages of the product life cycle. As a powerful 3D method, it offers a significant advantage for various industries because of its ability to reveal hidden details of parts. Thus, getting a perfect insight into the invisible features of parts allows to capture, investigate, measure & analyze internal and external structures of components in a nondestructive way.

When is CT mainly used?

For the distribution of a product life cycle in two different steps in this pie chart, we have taken into account the usage of Computed Tomography as an industrial tool. Although there obviously are different approaches to a product life cycle, this one is clearly applied when using X-ray CT.

As a matter of fact, X-ray CT has become an essential technology for non-destructive 3D characterization. It is widely used in many industries, such as aerospace, spatial, medical devices, plastic injection, composite material, or additive manufacturing where X-ray CT contributes to shortening the product development cycle in R&D, accelerating failure analysis, and improving quality assurance and production process control.

Image : pie chart of CT at all stages of product life cycle

product development

1. Research & Development

The development of a new product can easily be time and cost-consuming. To speed up the launch and be sure of the product, CT is used to provide immediate scanning data and characterize materials’ microstructure. X-ray Computed Tomography can help ensure material quality, help engineers to develop innovative materials in a short time frame.

2. Product Design

Testing out different design ideas includes new and innovative methods but also the use of reverse engineering for existing part geometries. Shaping complex structural components are always easier thanks to 3D rendering and measurement that meets expectations.

3. Engineering

Computed Tomography is also mainly used as a tool to validated engineered design. The product integrity is inspected to ensure the stability of the components to assemble and their efficiency. Getting all the scanning data before testing the prototypes, gets you important information and saves time.

4. Prototyping

Checking out the newly manufactured product before launch is now an easy task with CT: no need to cut your sample, CT is a nondestructive technology giving you the option to keep precious information and not ruin your parts. Comparing the expected results with the outcome gives you a better

production & quality control

5. Production

Although CT is traditionally used in labs, during the last ten years it has become an important tool for what we call Inline CT (X-ray computed tomography on the shop-floor). This means that monitoring production means detecting defects, porosity, inclusions… at the same time your manufacturing process keeps on operating. This gives you immediate feedback on your parts to optimize the production process.

6. Failure Analysis

X-ray CT controls effectively all components features and not only reduces consistently the time to market for your products, but it also saves money by avoiding the release of a defective product. Figuring out your parts' issues and their performance is quickly determined with CT by going beyond monitoring.

7. Warranty & Reclaim

With CT, you will inspect and analyze flaws in a nondestructive way to determine defect origins. Guaranteeing product liability won’t be challenging with CT as the reasonof your products’ problem is detected to its root.

RX Solutions offers complete and powerful X-ray CT systems with the finest level of detail: resolution down to submicron level, covering both industrial and academic applications. Click here for more info.

RX Solutions offers complete and powerful X-ray CT systems with the finest level of detail: resolution down to submicron level, covering both industrial and academic applications.

Discover our products here.

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X-ray CT improves all stages of product life cycle in the industrial sector