Computer tomography for nondestructive testing in the automotive industry

Walter Bauer; Florian T. Bessler; Erich Zabler; Ralf B. Bergmann

doi:10.1117/12.555578

26 October 2004 Computer tomography for nondestructive testing in the automotive industry

Walter Bauer, Florian T. Bessler, Erich Zabler, Ralf B. Bergmann

Proceedings Volume 5535, Developments in X-Ray Tomography IV; (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.555578
Event: Optical Science and Technology, the SPIE 49th Annual Meeting, 2004, Denver, Colorado, United States

Abstract

The application of computer tomography (CT) for non-destructive testing is of continuing interest to research and industry alike, as economic pressure is ever increasing on production processes. Three concurring goals drive the development of CT, namely: It has to be fast, cheap and precise. With a fast CT-system, the technique can not only be used for error analysis and precision measurements, but also for the application as a standard tool in the production line for the complete quality control of parts. At the Robert Bosch corporate research centre in Stuttgart, Germany, we have set up a CT-system, that allows us to conduct experiments towards these goals and to test and develop the latest software for the reconstruction of x-ray images. One of our main challenges is to use CT for reverse engineering processes and to create computer assisted design (CAD) models from measured data. For this application often a coordinate measurement machine (CMM) is used that gathers a cloud of data points by optical inspection. However, for many parts the inside of the object is relevant. Here CT has the unique advantage of delivering volumetric data. Once the process of the generation of a cloud of data points can be achieved with high precision, standard reverse engineering CAD software can be used to determine the dimensions of the interior structure of an object. This paper describes the use of CT for non-destructive testing at Robert Bosch GmbH, the accuracy limits for the measurement of volumetric data and the classification and analysis of material defects. Furthermore, it highlights the ongoing research to make CT fast, exact and cheap, and to enable its utilisation for 100% testing of parts at the end of a production line.

Citation Download Citation

Walter Bauer, Florian T. Bessler, Erich Zabler, and Ralf B. Bergmann "Computer tomography for nondestructive testing in the automotive industry", Proc. SPIE 5535, Developments in X-Ray Tomography IV, (26 October 2004); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.555578

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available