{"id":2007,"date":"2025-01-15T07:48:15","date_gmt":"2025-01-15T15:48:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/superwomansolutions.com\/engtechnica\/?p=2007"},"modified":"2025-01-16T12:54:28","modified_gmt":"2025-01-16T20:54:28","slug":"in-line-ct-scan-delivers-real-time-quality-feedback-on-production-line","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/superwomansolutions.com\/engtechnica\/in-line-ct-scan-delivers-real-time-quality-feedback-on-production-line\/","title":{"rendered":"Heitec Uses AI to Check for Flaws on Auto Assembly Line"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The moving assembly line has certainly proven its worth over the 100-plus years since Henry Ford introduced the industrial time-and-motion breakthrough in his Michigan automobile factory in 1913. The addition of robots (by GM in 1962) alongside human workers has further increased efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A Heitec engineer monitoring a robotic CT scan and analysis system as it inspects a manufactured component.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The success of the assembly line is tied to the quality of the components fed to it from production. As the complexity of modern vehicles has risen dramatically in recent decades, particularly in the case of electric vehicles (EVs), the value of pre-assembly quality checks at key stages during active production has become increasingly apparent. In addition to various methods of surface scanning, some of the leading automotive manufacturers (along with others in aerospace, energy and electronics) are using computed tomography (CT) to inspect inside components. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Examples of CT-scan-data analysis of an automotive part.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Germany’s luxury automaker, BMW, is doing CT scans of every engine housing in their iX EVs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The iX is based on an independent platform, unlike the company\u2019s other electric vehicles, However, it it uses the same drive unit (motor, inverter, transmission) known as HEAT (Highly-Integrated Electric Drive Train) that is employed in the other BMW models. Ensuring the consistency and quality of this valuable drivetrain is clearly a priority for the automaker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How In-line CT Quality Inspection Works<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

During quality testing with in-line computed tomography (CT<\/a>), an X-ray source emits radiation that penetrates objects and is attenuated depending on the material and geometry of the workpiece to be tested. A detector attached at the opposite side of the source creates a shadow image of the workpiece from the remaining radiation; the varying grey tones of the shadow images represent the differences in the nature of the test specimen. Control software then generates a 3D model of the object from the 2D X-ray image stacks. Finally, holistic analysis and visualization software is used to view and analyze the digital model from a variety of specific perspectives to either detect potential faults or to certify acceptable quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Robots and Scanners and Software\u2014On the Line<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At its Landshut, Germany, facility, BMW is using a combination of in-line robotics, CT scanning and detection, and analysis and visualization software, to inspect their HEAT e-engine housing during active production. The entire system was installed and integrated into their production line by Heitec, a global engineering solutions provider for a broad range of industries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heitec\u2019s installation delivers a continuous-flow process in which a robot plucks an aluminum housing off the production line, deposits it on a platform that feeds it into a HeiDetect Inline CT scanner, then shifts to the other side of the scanner to retrieve an already-scanned component and moves that one back to the line. Each scan takes place in 50 seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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