Industrial 3D scanning and modelling company 3D Engineering Solutions has teamed up with leading medical grade CT scanner manufacturer Nikon Metrology to create the next generation of metrology grade industrial CT scanners. These scanners use powerful x-rays to penetrate complex parts and components. Then the highly detailed surface scans of the parts internal structures can be converted into 3D models and CAD files.
Due to the rapid adoption of 3D printing in the aerospace industry, jet engine manufacturers are required to understand the internal structure of their jet engines to a greater degree than was required previously. Being able to 3D print more complex parts leaves very little room for error. High powered industrial scanning is becoming an integral part of the prototyping process and 3D Engineering Solutions new CT scanners are so powerful that they could scan a watch and measure and 3D model each internal part individually.
Typically, reverse engineering of a part or machine requires it to be unassembled, and often irreparably cut into several pieces in order for it to be thoroughly inspected. Powerful CT scans allow the entire part to be completely scanned, rendered and modelled without even touching it much less creating a risk of damaging it.
3D Engineering Solutions new CT machines are part of the company’s newly expanded 30,000 square foot state-of-the-art CT scanning Center of Excellence. The partnership allows 3DES to combine its already well-regarded engineering and metrology lab in the United States with the cutting edge CT scanning hardware of Nikon Metrology.
“Nikon Metrology is excited to have partnered with 3D Engineering Solutions,” Says Jim Clark, Nikon Metrology VP of Strategic Marketing. “3DES is geographically well positioned in the Midwest to support the growing demand for advanced CT scanning services. Additionally it provides Nikon Metrology with a base for demonstrating and educating key customers and industries as to the benefits of industrial CT.”
This isn’t only an advancement for industrial manufacturing and prototyping, it could lead to further advancements in 3D scanning in all aspects of industry. Not only could it be applied to the study and preservation of historical artifacts, but the process that 3DES uses to convert those powerful CT scans into 3D models could lead to breakthroughs in the 3D scanning and 3D modelling of individual human bodies.
what about the interaction between the radiation and metal causing artefacts in the scan? Am i missing something or is this just for non metallic applications?
Joe – Our industrial CT scanners are well capable of scanning metal objects. The project setup, reconstruction software and post processing software are geared in such a way as to remove/account for these artifacts. We can also scan assemblies with multiple materials and are able to segment them in Volume Graphics and later create CAD models from them. Thanks – Rob Glassburn, 3D Engineering Solutions [email protected]