Orientation Optimization and Making Jigs for X-ray CT scanning

Abstract

Recently, X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanners have become common in industry. However, artifacts resulting from the orientation of the scanned object are often generated in industrial CT scanners. In this study, in order to improve the scan result, we tried to search for an optimal object orientation. Using computer-aided design data, which are frequently generated for designing industrial objects, we performed simulations of X-ray projections. We evaluated three types of artifacts in these simulations: metal artifacts, beam hardening artifacts, and cone-beam artifacts. Each of these three artifacts was individually minimized in the simulations. We the determined the overall optimal orientation via multiobjective optimization. In addition, CT users often need to construct jigs to support objects in certain orientations. Accordingly, we proposed a method for construct a jig to support objects in their optimal orientation. The scan results in the optimal orientation proposed by our method were better than those obtained in the orientation proposed by a CT operator.