A very interesting exhibit on Wenzel's stand at TCT 2009 was the exaCT high-precision integrated Computed Tomography Workstation for industrial applications. This new development from Wenzel Volumetrik offers contactless 3D measurements of inner and outer structures, enabling non-destructive and time-saving inspection for quality control, test engineering and reverse engineering.
Wenzel says the exaCT sets a new standard in terms of price:performance ratio and makes such a system affordable for small and medium-sized companies. The exaCT workstation benefits from the integration of ultra-precise mechanical engineering, high image quality detectors and the CT-Software. With a clever arrangement of X-ray source and detector, there is no need for the component being inspected to be moved in the X and Y directions, hence the overall workstation is more compact and less complex than some alternatives. Furthermore, the detector has been specially designed for industrial applications, so it benefits from features such as a resolution of 20um.
Another highlight of the system is the performance and operability through the combination of various software applications. The control software for optimal acquisition of projection images and the reconstruction software for the exact evaluation of 3D voxel data are new developments. Data analysis is realised with the Quartis software from Wenzel Metromec and PointMaster from Wenzel Knotenpunkt. The PointMaster software from Wenzel Knotenpunkt offers excellent options, particularly in the field of reverse engineering, for the correction of tool shapes and for the site-specific analysis against CAD models.
With the help of one of the best tools for surfaces generation, accurate freeform surfaces can be generated and processed from CT data. The functions for the iterative compensation of material depletion from tools for injection moulding and casting moulds enables a significant reduction of the development and sampling process and reduces the costs considerably.
The proven functionality of PointMaster for the normal-actual value comparison against 3D CAD models with colour illustration can also be used with the exaCT workstation. In addition, interfaces to the major point cloud capturing software packages such as VGStudio MAX 2.0 are available.
Wenzel says the exaCT system is suitable for the inspection and measurement of small and medium-sized parts manufactured from plastics, composites, ceramics, aluminium or magnesium (thin-section steel parts can also be inspected). Individual components can be inspected, as can critical assemblies and bonded joints.
Follow the link for more information about the exaCT Computed Tomography Workstation for industrial applications or contact Wenzel to enquire about the company's inspection service.
29 Brunel Court, Stephensons Drive
Waterwells Business Park
GL2 2AL
UNITED KINGDOM
+44 (0)1452 728298