Abstract
The Stellenbosch University CT Scanner Facility is an open access laboratory providing non-destructive X-ray computed tomography (CT) and a high performance image analysis services as part of the Central Analytical Facilities (CAF) of the university. Based in Stellenbosch, South Africa, this facility offers open access to the general user community, including local researchers, companies and also remote users (both local and international, via sample shipment and data transfer). The laboratory hosts two CT instruments, i.e. a micro-CT system, as well as a nano-CT system. A workstation-based Image Analysis Centre is equipped with numerous computers with data analysis software packages, which are to the disposal of the facility users, along with expert supervision, if required. All research disciplines are accommodated at the X-ray CT laboratory, provided that non-destructive analysis will be beneficial. During its first four years, the facility has accommodated more than 400 unique users (33 in 2012; 86 in 2013; 154 in 2014; 140 in 2015; 75 in first half of 2016), with diverse industrial and research applications using X-ray CT as means. This paper summarises the existence of the laboratory’s first four years by way of selected examples, both from published and unpublished projects. In the process a detailed description of the capabilities and facilities available to users is presented.
Highlights
The history and principles of X-ray CT has a South African connection, as the physicist, Alan M
Three research institutions with accessible facilities: NECSA (The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation SOC Limited) that focus on research applications [2], Wits University focusing on fossils and paleontology, see e.g. [3] and the Stellenbosch University open access facility being described in this paper
Additive manufacturing and 3D printing has been of particular interest in our facility, as already demonstrated in a 2012 conference paper [43] and subsequently, a series of studies were completed on: the quantification of print quality from consumer printers [44], directionality found in porosity of such parts [45], lack of fusion defects which could be identified before and after HIP treatment [21] and, more recently, some work on quality control of medical implants produced by additive manufacturing [46] and the analysis of Ti6Al4V tensile samples before and after loading [47]
Summary
The history and principles of X-ray CT has a South African connection, as the physicist, Alan M. [3] and the Stellenbosch University open access facility being described in this paper. The bi-annual national ‘‘Imaging with Radiation” conferences (most recently hosted in Stellenbosch [4]) bring together users from these various facilities and demonstrate the high quality applications-based research and development being done in South Africa with regards. For example, some early work in materials science [8], wood science [9] and industrial applications [10] This usage continuously increased as computing power, hardware and software advances were made, up to the point today where laboratory systems are available with resolutions up to 500 nm or better and voltages up to 450 kV or more. The driving force behind X-ray CT to become a more routine and accepted analytical technique (in the form of multiuser facilities such as the one described in this paper), is the ability to extract key parameters from images and provide quantitative information. This paper aims to demonstrate the abilities and experience associated with the CT Scanner Facility at Stellenbosch University by showcasing a range of projects, both published and unpublished, from the first four years of its existence
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