 |
|
 |
Metris became a member of the Nikon group
|
|
|
|
What micro-CT can do for plastic component inspection?
Your challenges
In many plastic components dimensions are critical in order to make parts fit, guarantee product reliability or provide electrical and thermal isolation. At the same time the plastic injection molding process is a complicated process that, if not set up correctly, results in major shortcomings like undercuts, voids and part deformations.
Imagine you can get a better grip on these issues resulting in shorter production set up times and better product quality. Which costs savings does this bring? What would this mean for your time-to-market?
Presume you launched products on the market and it turns out they have quality issues: What would be the impact on your brand image? How big can the financial consequences be?
Knowledge is power. More product insight is power. It leads to process optimization, higher product quality and expert know-how. How well is your company armed against today’s market challenges?
What is micro-CT?
CT or Computer Tomography is an imaging technique that uses X-Rays to generate a full 3D image of an object. The same technology is used in medical imaging. Industrial CT however uses high voltage, high resolution X-ray sources that enable the inspection of plastic, composite and even metal components with micrometer resolution.
Click here for more background info on CT.
Why use micro-CT?
Computer Tomography has two distinct properties that set it apart from conventional measurement techniques:
- As X-rays can “see through” material, CT is capable to reveal hidden features that touch probes can’t reach and laser and vision systems can’t see.
- The magnification capability of X-ray imaging makes it possible to inspect components that only measure a few millimeters with micrometer resolution.
In most cases the only alternative to CT inspection are destructive testing methods that destroy the test sample. Even if this is not an issue, it remains a less-than-ideal solution, since it involves a time-consuming process and often leads to deformations while re-combining the data of the different sections can introduce even more errors.
Application 1: Measure what other systems can’t see nor touch
 |
 |
 |
|
Plastic housing of drill
|
CAD comparison
|
Wall thickness inspection
|
Metris micro-CT combines the power of micro-CT with the power of metrology.
This combination is especially suited for the analysis of plastic components and assemblies:
Within a few minutes you get full 3D data of your part, also of the inside that is impossible to access by other technologies in a non-destructive way. Powerful metrology software allows you to quickly compare the 3D measurement data against CAD data, inspect feature dimensions, calculate wall thickness and more.
Application 2: Troubleshoot assembly issues
Not only single components but also assembled parts can be inspected. Are you interested to know well parts fit onto each other? CT will tell you.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assembly inspection
|
Electrical Connector |
Wire bundle
|
|
Application 3 : Non-destructive defect analysis
Next to visualizing the part itself, one can also visualize the internal material structure,
and get both visual and quantitative information on inclusions and other defects.
|
|
|
|
Small white plastic part
|
CT image of the part,
showing defects (blue)
|
|
|
|
|
Cross section of CT image of drill housing,
showing defect (yellow)
|
Quantitative textual information
on defects
|
With Metris micro-CT it becomes hard to overlook a problem!
References
Metris has several customers who manufacture plastic inhalers for medical purpose; Product quality and brand image are of prior importance to them. With Metris CT they protect their brand image and eliminate the risk of having quality issues that can turn out very costly.
Metris has a customer who manufactures electrical connectors for the automotive industry; Product reliability and time-to-market are very important to them. They use Metris CT to check assembled parts in a non-destructive way, to perform life cycle analysis and to check the electrical insulation. Thanks to Metris CT they get full insight in their parts, increase product quality and shorten the pre-production process.
Interested?
Contact your Metris technical advisor by sending an email to ct@metris.com or fill out the request info form .
|
|
|
Case studies
CT reveals Antikythera mechanism
More
Upcoming events
August 4-6, 2010
NACMA
Minneapolis, MN, USA
September13-18, 2010
IMTS 2010
Chicago, IL, USA
Sept 20, 2010
Studienamiddag CT scanning
Leuven, BE
More events
|
|
|
|
|
|
Global site
