Design of a Computed Tomography Automation Architecture

Abstract

This paper presents a literature review on techniques related to the computed tomography procedure that incorporate automation elements in their research investigations or industrial applications. Computed tomography (CT) is a non-destructive testing (NDT) technique in that the imaging and inspection are performed without damaging the sample, allowing for additional or repeated analysis if necessary. The reviewed literature is organized based on the steps associated with a general NDT task in order to define an end-to-end computed tomography automation architecture. The process steps include activities prior to image collection, during the scan, and after the data are collected. It further reviews efforts related to repeating this process based on a previous scan result. By analyzing the multiple existing but disparate efforts found in the literature, we present a framework for fully automating NDT procedures and discuss the remaining technical gaps in the developed framework.

CTIMS: Automated Defect Detection Framework Using Computed Tomography

“…In terms of industrial applications, there exist some X-ray-CT-based software solutions on the market for CT visualization and inspection such as [26][27][28]. In addition, other products use hardware-software solutions for automated industrial processes such as the Carl Zeiss AG [29], the robotic inspection arm of VisiConsult X-ray Systems [30], CT inspection with automated tool-loading robotic arms [45], and robotic U-shaped inspection arms [46]. Table 2 shows a detailed comparison of the existing CT inspection systems and algorithms.…”

“…At the commercialization level, there exists some X-ray CT-based software for quality control in industrial applications using CT technology such as [26][27][28]. In addition, there are some other hardware-software solutions for automated industrial processes, such as the Carl Zeiss AG [29] and VisiConsult X-ray Systems [30].…”

Tofu: a fast, versatile and user-friendly image processing toolkit for computed tomography

“…Computational speed is even more important if we consider the technological progress in imaging instrumentation. Thanks to continuous new developments in radiation sources (Raimondi, 2016;Schroer et al, 2018), imaging detectors (Mokso et al, 2017), and automation (Vogelgesang et al, 2016;Marone et al, 2017;Hashem et al, 2021), the throughput of imaging systems is increasing. It is common that during one experimental day at a synchrotron imaging station researchers collect hundreds of data sets amounting to several terabytes of data.…”