Making the invisible visible industrial 3D CT scanning
The emergence of CT Scanning (Computed Tomography) has been a game changer for capturing dense and comprehensive data for dimensional analysis. This is the future of Industrial Metrology, as CT scanning allows dimensional examination of internal and external features, which has previously been impossible with non-destructive methods. With CT scanning technology, it is possible to differentiate between multiple materials or multiple components in an assembly.
The ability to investigate a fully assembled component to determine whether a seal is effective, or if threads have full interaction, are just two examples our customers have been thrilled to leverage when working with IIA.
How it Works
To obtain comprehensive data, your part is rotated through a constant x-ray beam creating a shadow image on the detector. Since x-rays are not affected by lenses, geometric magnification is used to magnify the objects' features by moving the part closer to the x-ray source. Multiple still images are captured at each incremental degree of rotation and the measured flux is averaged. These images show the intensity of x-rays attenuated by the part. Denser/thicker areas appear darker whereas less dense/thinner areas appear lighter. The resulting images are stitched together creating a digital 3D volume. Which can then be viewed for visual inspection or processed further for different analysis, including for dimensional attributes or porosity for examples.


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A Higher Degree of Quality
To ensure the highest level of safety and quality, IIA provides AS9100, AS9102, AS9110, AS9120 compliant services.
Which service is right for you?
- CT Scanning
- Low volume of parts
- Sample of production run or individual parts
- Viewing internal geometry, cracks, pits, or voids
- Scanning multiple layers
- Dimensional analysis of internal geometry
- Comparative Analysis – CAD to Part, Part to Part
- Solder Integrity
- Radiography (X-Ray)
- Large volume of parts
- Full production run or individual parts
- Fast analysis of common defects
- Weld analysis
- Multiple Materials including Dense Metals
Applications for CT Scanning
- Threaded assembly interaction
- Leak testing – verification of mechanical seal
- Non-Destructive inspection
- Dimensional analysis of internal geometry
- Over molded components
- Small assemblies or components
- Circuit board investigation
- Flexible Circuits
- Solder ball grid array inspection
- Wall thickness analysis
- Void/Inclusion analysis
- Volume/surface area calculations
- Reverse Engineering
- Identifying pits and voids in Castings
Materials suitable for CT scanning
- Plastics
- Silicones and Rubbers
- Aluminum
- Steel
- Stainless Steel
- Nickel
- Nitinol
- Titanium
- Brass
- Copper
- Organic Materials
- And many more
CT scanning is not just reserved for industrial materials. It thrives with organic, thin, and flexible materials that are otherwise difficult to inspect with traditional methods.

Deliverables

- 2D image stack or video of slices through your part
- 3D volume viewable with supplied Volume Graphics myVGL Viewer Software
- 3D located .stl file.
- 3D Computer Aided Verification (CAV) with Nominal-Actual CAD Comparison and Part to Part Comparison
- Dimensional Inspection report
- 3D PolyWorks dimensional inspection report
- Comparative Analysis – Part to CAD, Part to Part
- CAD model creation
Qualifications, Accreditations, and Certifications
All inspectors are certified to one or more of the following:
- CQI (Certified Quality Inspector)
- CMI (Certified Mechanical Inspector)
- CQT (Certified Quality Technician)
- CQE (Certified Quality Engineer)
- CQM (Certified Quality Manager)
- CQA (Certified Quality Auditor)
- A2LA Accredited to ISO/IEC 17025: 2005
- ASQ Certifications
- ITAR, JCP and SAM Registered
- DCS Certified
- NADCA Participation
- Federal Firearms License
- A2LA Testing Cert: 1172.01
- Duns Number: 19-993-4829
- NAICS: 541380 (Mech. Testing Lab or Services)
- Cage Code: 0GB04
- SIC Code: 8734
- AS9100 Compliant
- AS9102 Compliant
- AS9110 Compliant
- AS9120 Compliant