Press Releases

For Immediate Release

Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology (IMT) today introduced at QUALITY EXPO 2009 (Booth #7007) METROTOM, a powerful computed tomography system for industrial applications (R&D, Production & Quality). The system can see inside parts and quantify characteristics normally inaccessible to probing or optical sensors. The same dataset can be used to inspect the structure of material (porosity / wall thickness), measure external features and generate fully surfaced or solid CAD models. The principle behind metrotomography ® With this symbiotic combination of computed tomography and traditional metrology, Carl Zeiss begins a new chapter in metrology - metrotomography. During this process, a computer tomograph uses x-rays to non-destructively measure the interior and exterior of complex and small workpieces and then very accurately display the results as a 3D image. The procedure is similar to the x-ray technology used in medicine. X-rays penetrate an object and display it on a suitable detector. The details of the

object appear as a 2D image in varying intensity depending on the geometry and absorption properties. The 3D image is created by rotating the object 360 degrees along its axis on a rotary table and then converting this data to a 3D volume model.

Photo: METROTOM computer tomograph: makes the interior and exterior visible and measures what probing sensors cannot reach.

Metrotomography – computer tomographic workpiece inspection
Metrotomography can be used for assembly checks and damage analyses, material inspections, and porosity and defect analyses. Parts up to 350 mm can be inspected depending on the material – steel, alloys, ceramic and plastic, for example.

The computer tomographic inspection of workpieces is very fast. METROTOM is available with our Calypso Metrology software. It supports comparisons to nominal geometries where only visual inspections were possible in the past. IT also allows for continuous monitoring of development up to the prototype. Workpieces, casting and assembly procedures can be modified during the development phase. The process start-up time is reduced and development costs lowered. Automatic, objective evaluation methods are now available in areas where previously only manual, subjective evaluations were possible.

Metrotomographic generation of CAD models
CAD models have become an absolutely indispensable tool in metrology. A METROTOM computer tomograph can generate a complete CAD data set of each “metrotomographed” workpiece. This can then be displayed in all standard formats, thus enabling generation of fast, highly accurate data during the development of the design. The ability to create entire CAD data sets of complex interior structures that cannot be digitized or measured using traditional methods is essential.

Precise linear axes with CAA (Computer Aided Accuracy) correction of guideway error, as well as a rotary table with air bearings and direct drive, provide the foundation for accurate capture of the workpiece. This rotary table has a resolution of 0.036 arc seconds and can accept workpieces up to a weight of 800 Newtons. Optimally adjusted CT components supplement the mechanical modules, thus contributing ideally to the entire METROTOM system.

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Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology is a member of the Carl Zeiss Group. It is the global leader in CNC coordinate measuring machines and complete, multi-dimensional metrology solutions for a wide variety of industrial sectors. Approximately 1300 employees at three manufacturing locations and more than 100 sales and service centers serve customers around the world.

Media Contact:

Annette Smith
Carl Zeiss IMT Corporation
763/744-2409
asmith@zeiss.com

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