Leader: UPAT

Involved Partners: AIR, LAC, VG, CEA, FHG

WP4 aims at developing and establishing X-ray based imaging techniques for production-integrated inspection of defects (porosity, voids, cracks and delamination in composite materials) in small high-volume parts, such as thermoplastic clips. Depending on object samples and defect definitions from WP2, for each application case an optimally adapted scanning protocol will be derived. Various X-ray scanning techniques will be considered. 

One of the most important outcomes of WP4 is the development of models of small high-volume parts with dedicated software tools. Single energy, Dual energy and multi-energy acquisition protocols and corresponding data will be simulated.

In addition, the work performed within WP4 will lead to the development and implementation of an X-ray radioscopy process for fast and reliable inspection of small high-volume parts. Robotic systems will be investigated which are expected to increase inspection speed and robustness of the process. Advanced techniques (dual-energy, multi-energy approaches) may provide increased contrast of images and lead to better visualization of defects in composite materials. Algorithms for extracting defect information will be applied in this case.

Finally, WP4 involves the development and implementation of a tomosynthesis and XCT process for fast and reliable inspection of small high volume parts. Inspection times below one minute per sample are expected. To increase the contrast between the composite material and eventual defects, recent advanced techniques will be investigated. Three-dimensional reconstruction techniques will be adapted for the acquisition geometries tested.