FIT introduces in-house CT scanning for advanced quality assurance in Additive Manufacturing
November 15, 2016
FIT AG, headquartered in Lupburg, Germany, has announced the addition of a state-of-the-art computer tomography (CT) system to its growing inventory of advanced manufacturing technology. FIT claims to be the first AM manufacturer to establish an in-house QA department and will be discussing its advanced measuring and testing techniques at formnext, Frankfurt, Germany, November 15–18, at booth 3.1 H74.
FIT stated that having in-house CT scanning allows for high-precision measuring and visualisation of inner and outer structures, providing customers with an even greater level of confidence in its AM parts produced. The strategic use of CT in AM is to increase product quality and to optimise the production processes.
Due to the non-contact and non-destructive measurement and analysis of inner structures, FIT is able to increase process stability for its manufacturing systems. The CT system allows FIT to identify or verify the existence of pores, cavities, fissures, form deflection, displacement, shape distortion etc. Evaluations such as design versus part comparison or analysis of wall thickness are visualised in colour and serve as proof of specified product requirements.
As an example, colour analysis can illustrate geometric flaws when comparing the scan data of the produced part to the original CAD model, and dimensional tolerances can be reliably verified even for complex and bionic structures. “The adoption of in-house CT scanning allows for high precision quality control in-line with our manufacturing processes, increasing efficiency and reducing lead time for our customers. At the same time, production processes can be improved continuously and significantly through this same data evaluation,” stated Carl Fruth, Founder and CEO of FIT.
Optimal results of cross sectional views are achieved using high resolution (up to 5 μm) at a maximum acceleration voltage of 240kV. A 3K detector provides a 1/3 higher resolution when compared to standard detectors. 3D analysis is compliant to VDI 2630. The CT scanner is equipped with a reflection radiation and target power of 300 Watt. Maximum size of the parts is Ø 550 mm x 700 mm.
