Automated “click & measure” Computed Tomography (CT) software saves operator up to 5x
Wunstorf, Germany - May 7, 2010 - The phoenix datos|x 2.0. from GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies establishes a new-generation of computed tomography (CT) software.It offers fully automated data acquisition and volume processing, so that high resolution, precision metrology and failure analysis tasks can now be performed with minimal operator training within a dramatically reduced required operator time.Users of phoenix|x-ray high resolution CT systems benefit from a combination of time and cost effectiveness, as well from an increasing reproducibility of 3D measurement and failure analysis results. Furthermore, dimensional measurement with CT is now an effective tool for many tasks in production process monitoring such as the manufacture of plastics and metal castings and precision components like injection nozzles. Particularly complex part geometries with inaccessible or hidden features can be measured with CT in many cases faster than with conventional Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs).
As Oliver Brunke, product manager at GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies explains, “With phoenix datos|x 2.0, the entire CT process chain can be fully automated. Once the appropriate setup is programmed, the whole scan and reconstruction process including volume optimization features (e.g. automatic beam hardening correction) or surface extraction runs without any operator interaction. Furthermore, 3D failure analysis or metrology tasks performed with third party programs can be executed automatically.”
The new click & measure|CT functionality of the new software allows users to display and analyze the 3D results on the screen in just three steps: fix the work piece, start the scan, check the results. As a result, the skill requirements for the operator are dramatically reduced, while the required operator time to run a CT analysis is decreased by a factor up to 5 compared with the previous software version. This saves costs and highly increases the repeatability and reproducibility of CT results by minimizing the operator influence.
The intuitive graphical user interface of the new software ensures ease of operation and a fast learning curve. For example, the function tool bar for step-by-step workflow setup is consequently process flow orientated.Ease of use is also facilitated by automated system calibration and monitoring functions for tube, detector etc...Even the displaying of the CT results has been significantly improved as phoenix datos 2.0 visualizes the 3D volume not only in 2D axis views but also in a 3D render mode.
Since the entire process of the CT data acquisition over the volume reconstruction to implementation of the measurement runs completely automatically, it is now possible to conduct the first sampling of a complex component in less than 60 minutes. This makes dimensional measurement with CT an effective tool for many tasks in production process monitoring such as the manufacture of plastics and metal castings and precision components like injection nozzles. Particularly complex part geometries with inaccessible or hidden features can be measured with CT in many cases faster than with conventional CMMs.
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GE Measurement & Control Solutions is a leading innovator in advanced, sensor-based measurement, non-destructive testing (NDT) and inspection and condition monitoring, delivering accuracy, productivity and safety to a wide range of industries, including oil & gas, power generation, aerospace, transportation and healthcare. It has over 40 facilities in 25 countries and is part of GE Energy Services, which provides cleaner, smarter, more efficient solutions for its customers.