How does CT measure the wall thickness of a part?
CT generates a complete 3D volume of the part without cutting it. Post-processing software then calculates the thickness at every point of the wall, with a colour code showing the out-of-tolerance areas, as well as the minimum, maximum, mean and standard deviation values.
Can reverse engineering by CT directly generate a usable CAD file?
Yes. The scan produces a 3D point cloud of the internal and external surfaces, from which a CAD file is generated. The data can be exported in standard formats (STL, WRL, TXT…) compatible with most design software.
Does geometric inspection by CT work on parts that are already assembled?
Yes, this is one of the main advantages of the method: it makes it possible to inspect the internal and external geometries of an assembly without dismantling it, which is impossible with traditional contact-based or line-of-sight inspection methods.
Can CT replace conventional CMM inspections for tooling optimisation?
It complements them rather than replacing them: CT provides an overall, internal view that is impossible to obtain with a tactile CMM, ideal for identifying the sources of deformation in moulding or assembly defects in electronics. Critical dimensions can then be validated by CMM if necessary.
What is the difference between geometric inspection and dimensional measurement/metrology by CT?
Geometric inspection checks that the shape of the part meets its tolerances (wall thickness, shapes, positions, deformations) and is also used for reverse engineering. Dimensional measurement concerns the precise measurement of dimensions and the comparison of the scan with the CAD model, with the Metrology Series for certified measurements
Which geometric characteristics can CT measure?
Dimensions, form and position tolerances, parallelism, perpendicularity, concentricity, wall thickness.
What resolution can be achieved?
Sub-micron, depending on the line (down to 250 nm with the Nano line). Measurement accuracy depends on the part and on the configuration of the CT system.