Computed laminography of CFRP using an x-ray cone-beam and robotic sample manipulator systems

Charles E. Wood, Neil O’Brien, Andriy Denysov, Thomas Blumensath

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    Carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) are of interest to the aerospace sector for meeting future CO2 emission targets due to their weight reduction potential. However, the detection of structural and matrix defects is crucial for determining the performance and suitability of CFRPs in current and future generations of aircraft. Computed laminography (CL), a well-established nondestructive testing method, is well suited to the scanning of CFRP components with large aspect ratios, for which the conventional computed tomography (CT) is less suitable. Utilizing an existing Nikon Metrology custom build X-ray CT scanner, two lift-in lift-out robotic sample manipulator systems are used to extend the capability of the system and allow the exploration of atypical scanning geometries. Implementing raster and limited angle trajectories, reconstructions using the ASTRA Tomography Toolbox and the Simultaneous Iterative Reconstruction Technique algorithm are able to show structural defects in CFRPs, despite the reduced information inherent with CL systems. This paper reports on the system design and initial experiments that demonstrate benefits and drawbacks of different design options and scanning trajectory choices.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)655-663
    Number of pages9
    JournalIEEE Transactions on Nuclear Science
    Volume66
    Issue number3
    Early online date29 Jan 2019
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2019

    Keywords

    • Manipulators
    • Computed tomography
    • Trajectory
    • X-ray imaging
    • Detectors
    • Robot kinematics

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