Introducing the
RoboCT Advantage
Revolutionizing X-ray inspection for oversized objects
X-RAYLAB’s RoboCT solution is at the forefront of innovation, addressing the common challenge of oversized objects that simply don’t fit into traditional X-ray equipment. We understand the desire for flexibility in today’s dynamic industries where even large objects require comprehensive inspection.
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RoboCT is a form of industrial computed tomography (ICT) that uses at least a pair of industrial robots to move at least one X-ray source and detector around the object. X-RAYLAB has developed RoboCT in collaboration with the Fraunhofer EZRT X-ray Center, which can scan the object under investigation in both 2D and 3D using special acquisition trajectories. A typical sequence is a complete 2D scan of the object and a high-resolution CT scan in regions of interest, whereby the X-ray system can decide for itself which CT procedure is most suitable based on the digital twin of the object. The digital twin also enables easy configuration and monitoring of complex CT scans.
RoboCT is usually installed with commercially available industrial robots with a reach of 3 m on the linear axes in a protective housing with dimensions of, for example, 10 m × 8 m × 4 m (L/W/H). With this setup, objects with a height and width of up to 4 m and an almost unlimited length can be scanned, which is only limited by the length of the housing.
Optional extensions may include a turntable, additional X-ray units or other complementary equipment. We look forward to customizing RoboCT to your needs!
Why RoboCT?
At the forefront of innovation, X-RAYLAB’s RoboCT solution addresses the common challenge of oversized objects that simply do not fit into traditional X-ray machines. We understand the need for flexibility in today’s dynamic industries, where large-scale components demand extensive inspection.
01
Full 2D scanning of extremely large structures with complex geometries.
02
High-resolution 3D scans of regions of interest at almost any position in the RoboCT cell.
03
RoboCT has a digital twin that simplifies the setup and monitoring of CT scans.
04
Autonomous decision on the appropriate CT scanning method, either 2D laminography or 3D CT scan.
05
Can be upgraded with in-house AI analysis software.
06
It is easy to combine multiple CT scans to create an X-ray image that covers the entire scanned object.
07
Use of standard industrial robots, cost-effective to purchase, maintain and repair.
08
Use of standard industrial robots, cost-effective to purchase, maintain and repair.
09
RoboCT contributes to the decarbonization of our environment because the flexibility of one RoboCT compensates for several standard CT systems.
Possible Applications
RoboCT systems are a valuable tool for a wide range of industries. They can be used to scan large and complex objects quickly and flexibly. This makes them ideal for quality control, product development and process optimization at an economical price.
- Small Helicopter
- Entire empennage
- Fuselage sections
- Large wing sections or complete smaller wings
- Large fuel tanks
- Helicopter blades and rotor assemblies
- Large avionics and instrumentation panels
- Landing gear assemblies
- Cargo bay doors or large access panels
- Spacecraft components
- Complete satellite assemblies
- Complete equipped or unequipped battery boxes
- Megacastings
- Entire car chassis
- Sections of trucks or buses engine areas
- Suspension systems for heavy-duty vehicles
- Transmission systems
- Passenger compartments
- Dashboard assemblies
- Submarine hull sections
- Large Seals
- Canoes
- Kayaks
- Houseboats
- Motorboats
- Lifeboats
- Mast assemblies
- Propulsion systems
- Rudder assemblies and steering gear
- Fuel tanks and storage containers
- Docking and loading mechanisms
- Railway axles
- Wheel sets
- Bogie frames
- Pantograph assemblies
- Signal equipment
- Electronics enclosures
- Wind Turbine Components
- Wind turbine rotor blades
- Large solar panel assemblies
- Large electrical transformers and insulators
- Boiler sections for thermal power plants
- Heat exchangers and large cooling pipes
- Pre-cast concrete panels
- Segments for bridges or buildings
- Cranes and bulldozers machinery components
- Elevator shaft components and safety mechanisms
- Reinforcement bar assemblies inside concrete structures
- Prefabricated modular units for buildings
- Plywood structures
- Torpedo or missile storage compartments
- Missiles or rockets
- Large caliber gun barrels
- Composite armor plating segments
- Entire UAV or large components
- Formula one cars
- Formula H cars
- Speed boats
- Air racing aircraft
- Racing motorcycle
Possible Applications
RoboCT systems are a valuable tool for a wide range of industries. They can be used to scan large and complex objects quickly and flexibly. This makes them ideal for quality control, product development and process optimization at an economical price.
- Small Helicopters
- Entire empennage
- Fuselage sections
- Large wing sections or complete smaller wings
- Large fuel tanks
- Helicopter blades and rotor assemblies
- Large avionics and instrumentation panels
- Landing gear assemblies
- Cargo bay doors or large access panels
- Spacecraft components
- Complete satellite assemblies
- Complete equipped or unequipped battery boxes
- Megacastings
- Entire car chassis
- Sections of trucks or buses engine areas
- Suspension systems for heavy-duty vehicles
- Transmission systems
- Passenger compartments
- Dashboard assemblies
- Submarine hull sections
- Large Seals
- Canoes
- Kayaks
- Houseboats
- Motorboats
- Lifeboats
- Mast assemblies
- Propulsion systems
- Rudder assemblies and steering gear
- Fuel tanks and storage containers
- Docking and loading mechanisms
- Railway axles
- Wheel sets
- Bogie frames
- Pantograph assemblies
- Signal equipment
- Electronics enclosures
- Wind Turbine Components
- Wind turbine rotor blades
- Large solar panel assemblies
- Large electrical transformers and insulators
- Boiler sections for thermal power plants
- Heat exchangers and large cooling pipes
- Pre-cast concrete panels
- Segments for bridges or buildings
- Cranes and bulldozers machinery components
- Elevator shaft components and safety mechanisms
- Reinforcement bar assemblies inside concrete structures
- Prefabricated modular units for buildings
- Plywood structures
- Torpedo or missile storage compartments
- Missiles or rockets
- Large caliber gun barrels
- Composite armor plating segments
- Entire UAV or large components
- Formula one cars
- Formula H cars
- Speed boats
- Air racing aircraft
- Racing motorcycle
RoboCT Technology
Following, we demonstrate different RoboCT 2D acquisition trajectories and their application to a whole CFRP flap with segment dimensions of 800 mm × 160 mm × 1200 mm, while the total length of the CFRP flap equals 7000 mm.
Large Field-of-View Laminography
Large field-of-view laminography is achievable by parallel translational sampling of the object. The 3D information from slightly different perspectives of neighboring projection images is equivalent to laminography with an angle of 17°, which translates to approximately 10 % information of a full 3D CT scan.
Coplanar Circular 2D Laminography
Once it is no longer possible to rotate around the object, an alternative to vertical circular 3D CT is coplanar circular 2D laminography. The data is acquired in three circles angled by 10°, 20° and 30°, each consisting of 128 projections.
RoboCT coplanar circular 2D laminography at the upright flap segment
High-Resolution 3D Scan
Next, we demonstrate different RoboCT 3D acquisition trajectories and their application to a specific region of interest of the CFRP flap. These local 3D scans feature high resolution and help to analyze critical areas.
Vertical Circular 3D CT
Vertical Circular 3D CT serves as a method for high-resolution scans. When full CT scans with > 180° angular range are possible, the results hardly differ from laboratory Micro-CT. The limited CT angle is 200° with overall 1001 projections and the scan resolution amounted to 50 µm.
RoboCT vertical circular 3D CT on the upright wing segment.
Stitching of Radioscopies
The X-RAYLAB RoboCT technology allows to acquire stitched radioscopies of objects at a detail level of 50 µm and below. For instance, a 7000 mm long CFRP fuselage of a DG-800 sailplane with 91261 × 20832 pixels is displayed below.
Another example is an 8000 mm long GFRP wing of a Schempp-Hirth Discus sailplane with 101120 × 12160 pixels.
The red marker indicates the position of a ROI that were examined in more detail using high-resolution CT scans.
High-resolution CT scans of the red marked ROI at the wing spar
