CT-Assisted Solid Freeform Manufacturing.
Abstract
Computed Tomography (CT) is a radiographic inspection method that uses a computer to reconstruct a cross-sectional image of an object from a set of in-line X-ray transmission measurements. CT was introduced in the early 1970's as a neurological examination technique and later extended to industrial applications by Advanced Research and Applications Corporation (ARACOR) and others. The original medical acronym, CAT, is still widely used and is likely to be familiar to the reader. The technology provides an ideal examination technique whenever the primary goal is to locate and size planar or volumetric detail in three dimensions. Because of the relatively good penetrability of X rays, as well as the sensitivity of absorption cross sections to the density and atomic number of matter, CT permits the nondestructive physical and, to a limited extent, chemical characterization of the internal nature of objects. And since the method is X-ray based, it applies equally well to metallic and non-metallic specimens, solid and fibrous materials, smooth and irregularly surfaced parts. As a result of these advantages, CT has emerged in the last few years as the leading modality for reverse engineering and part characterization applications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 15, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA300084
Entities
People
- James H. Stanley