Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne has access to two independent scanning systems - a Large Part Scanner and a High Resolution small part scanner.
Large Part Scanner
Evaluation by the 201 system is capable of large components measuring as large as 68 inches in diameter, 72 inches high, and weighing up to 5000 pounds. The system utilizes a 6.0 MEV pulsed linear accelerator source to generate high-energy X-rays to a 128 discrete element linear detector array. This is one of the largest, most powerful CT scanners in the world that is available for commercial-use.
The unique capabilities of the this system can produce complete 3D volumetric tomographic images, which have been used to serve the Chicago Field Museum of Natural History to restore the fossil for research and display "Sue", the largest and most complete Tyrannosaurus Rex skull ever discovered, as a road map to the bones hidden within the stone matrix, revealing previously unseen detail of the T-Rex. skull.
201 system
Engineers can be seen reviewing CT scans of the T-Rex skull
Computed Tomography Inspection and Application Development
Ancient Artifacts
Assembly verification
Casting inspection
Reverse engineering
Flaw detection and analysis
Component interference measurements
Dimensional and profile measurements
HIP Bond Inspection
EB Weld Inspection
Other non-destructive investigation
Earthfill dam performance
Computed Tomography Inspection Process
Computed Tomography (CT) inspection produces a two-dimensional density map (or tomogram) of a cross-sectional slice of an objects interior. To accomplish this, a beam of penetrating radiation (x-ray) is projected through an object at precise locations, and is intercepted by multiple detectors that count photon interaction between the radiation and the object matter. This scan data, taken in small electronic slices, is then reconstructed (formed into a tomographic image) based on mathematical calculations. Accurate internal object dimensional information for objects can then be derived from the tomogram using simple edge detection algorithms.
Tomograms can be produced in any plane through dense materials and objects. Faults within materials can be located and analyzed without touching the object. Though pioneered in the medical diagnostic industry, Tomography provides important benefits for industrial non-destructive testing (NDT) and non-destructive evaluation (NDE).
CT offers several advantages over other NDT/NDE techniques, like film radiography, real-time radioscopy, and ultrasonics.
Easily-interpreted images of objects with complex geometric configurations and/or compositions.
Images are less sensitive to contrast degradation caused by radiation scattering effects.
Dimensional information is accurate within a several thousandths of an inch.
Quantitative information in digital form provides fast, accurate, and repeatable computer analysis, rather than visual interpretations by individual operators.
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