Digital Twin as a Tool to Select CT Scan Parameters

Abstract

Digital manufacturing is one of the key drivers associated with the idea of flexible mass customization, which has been boosted in recent years by the substantial advances in additive manufacturing techniques. Complex free-form geometries, irregular shapes, internal and reentrant features, and variable thicknesses can be reproduced using the CAD model as a geometrical template. The dimensional quality control of additively manufactured parts, on the other hand, requires a measurement technique capable of sampling the high data density of those structures, including the hidden ones. Computed Tomography (CT) is the technology of choice to inspect additively manufactured parts. CT, however, features a complex measurement chain and the measurement accuracy relies on selecting proper scan parameters. Moreover, CT systems for dimensional metrology are expensive assets to buy and maintain. In this regard, the creation and use of the digital twin of a CT system to support these decision-making processes is presented in this work, as well as the correlation of the digital-based results with those obtained with the physical twin.KeywordsCT metrologyPhysical and digital twinsScan parameters