2D/3D-Microfocus-Tomograph (µCT) for non-destructive 3D-X-ray inspection and -reconstruction with a reolution in the mikrometer range and large inspection room

• Subject Area: Mechanics and Constructive Mechanical Engineering
• Term: Funded in 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 447276734

A powerful 2D/3D microtomograph for high-resolution X-ray inspection of polymer, ceramic and metallic components is to be procured. The non-destructive, spatially resolved imaging of components with high resolution allows a fast and accurate evaluation of systems without damaging the component/system for further investigations and applications. Within the scope of the acquisition, the main use is intended for the inspection of additively manufactured components and for the detection of defects in the components, for the examination of printed electronic components and the analysis of bones and other biological structures for the implementation in technical systems according to bionic principles. In addition, the equipment to be acquired is to be used for the inspection of monolithic multilayer ceramics and for the examination of fibre composite materials and coatings. In addition, it is planned to use the high resolution of the device to investigate the laminate structure of fuel cells and batteries. All these investigations are planned within the framework of ongoing and planned research projects at the Technische Hochschule Nürnberg. Some of the results are to be incorporated directly into the research projects of the existing research areas, but they will also open up the possibility of using the measurements to model materials and components.Due to the wide range of targeted materials in the research area of additive manufacturing (polymers, light metals and steel) and the partly quite large assemblies (diameter up to 30 cm and height up to 50 cm), a large installation space is necessary on the one hand, while at the same time the X-ray system has to provide high performance. Depending on the material, large components with low resolution or small components with high resolution can be examined. For printed electronics and fuel cell/battery systems, however, very high resolutions are desirable and the components have a rather small thickness to be radiographed. The ceramic components as well as the biological materials lie in the requirements between these two extremes. In order to enable the application of the device for all these questions, a flexible device with only one tube should be purchased in order to minimize later device costs.The main use of the device will be in research, but it is also planned to give students, who are involved in research projects as part of their studies, the opportunity to familiarize themselves with this examination method, which is increasingly used in research as well as in quality assurance in manufacturing.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: 2D/3D-Microfocus-Tomograph
• Instrumentation Group: 4070 Spezielle Röntgengeräte für Materialanalyse, Strukturforschung und Werkstoff-Bestrahlung
• Applicant Institution: Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm
• Leader: Professor Dr.-Ing. Michael Koch