Nikon Metrology's CT System Offers Enhanced Resolution

Nikon Corporation’s Industrial Metrology Business Unit has launched the first of a range of high-performance X-ray computed tomography (CT) systems offering enhanced precision, resolution and scan speed. The large-volume VOXLS 40 C 450 is designed to inspect items of diverse size and density, internally and externally.

The VOXLS 40 C 450 comprises a single-piece cabinet housing a metrology-grade, granite-based manipulator combined with rigid steel towers. It incorporates high precision motors and encoders. According to the company, the resulting construction provides superior mechanical and thermal stability, leading to more accurate manipulator positioning and generation of highly precise, repeatable measurement data throughout the full scan volume. A touch-screen interface enables easy system configuration for performing a vast range of quality control applications.

The system contains two microfocus X-ray sources; one source is rated at 450 kV for penetrating large or dense parts, while the other is 225 kV for examining smaller components or those of lower density. Both sources are equipped with Nikon’s rotating target technology, providing high resolution to enable quick identification of small defects inside an object. Nikon’s CT acquisition modes, including X.Tend helical CT, Offset.CT, Panel Scan and Half.Turn CT, are all compatible with the VOXLS 40 C 450, offering increased measurement volume, resolution and image quality.

Both large and small items of any complexity may be inspected. At one end of the scale, the enclosure can accommodate assemblies up to 1,275 mm in diameter by 1,800 mm tall and the scan envelope is said to be the largest in any single-piece cabinet on the market at 800 mm diameter by 1,415 mm high. According to Nikon, the system is also well suited to the inspection of small parts at high resolution, enabling the equipment to be a multi-purpose resource for R&D, failure analysis, first article inspection and quality control.

The equipment features manipulator-interlocked, bi-parting glass outer doors have been incorporated to give the operator visibility into the enclosure for precise positioning of the scan object, minimizing the risk of collision with the X-ray sources and detectors. Four internal video cameras provide a view with the radiation safety doors shut.