What is the function of metrology? At its most basic it’s the scientific study of applying measurement to a wide variety of functions. At its most complex, it’s the necessary foundation of nearly every field we come in contact with. It’s taken the form of 3D inspection scanners and CT part calibration alike, advanced forms of printing and scanning used in engineering, research, production and medical industries. Technology has advanced at a rapid rate over the past few decades and is only expected to get better and better with time.
What Fields Use Metrology?
It’s a shorter answer to say what fields don’t use advanced measurement methods. Medical fields require metrology to examine their patients, particularly during critical care, and ensure the most accurate treatment procedures possible for fractures and medicinal assignments alike. Digital x-ray and digital radiography is one of many sections the average hospital and clinic requires to properly address the needs of its clients. Research and engineering industries use industrial x-rays to better assess and record vital information, while production industries use metrology equipment to provide the highest quality goods possible to their client base.
What Is CT Scanning?
Similar to 3D imaging and fiber analysis, CT scanning is one of many staples of the modern world. Short for ‘computerized tomography’, CT scanning uses state-of-the-art computers that take data from x-ray images in human and animal bodies to convert them into applicable pictures on a monitor. Tomography, specifically, is the act of generating 2-dimensional images of slices or sections through 3-dimensional objects. CAT scanning is another popular term for this service, short for ‘computerized axial tomography’.
Where Did CT Scanning Come From?
The very first clinical CT scanners were installed back in 1974, first dedicated to head imaging and later expanding to include the entire body through larger patient openings made available in 1976. They became fully accessible to multiple industries by 1980 and paved the way for more advanced medical procedures, printing processes and scanning capabilities worldwide. There are an estimated 6,000 CT scanners installed in the United States today, with 30,000 all across the world. The first CT scanner was originally developed by Hounsfield at EMI, originally taking several hours to acquire raw data for a single scan.
How Do 3D Laser Scanning Services Work?
Industrial CT technology and general metrology has improved at an astronomical rate. Where a few single CT slices would have taken hours to generate a mere few years ago, nowadays it’s possible to construct entire 3D models with billions of voxels in seconds. This has allowed engineering and prototyping fields to mass produce goods and services for a large population of people in good time. Part size is no longer an issue, with parts as small as .5mm able to be digitally examined and printed. With progress this smooth, this technology is only expected to get better.
How Is The Future Looking?
The future is looking bright for metrology and industrial CT scanning. Digital radiography has fast become a dependable staple allowing images to be produced in a shorter time frame — electronic processing is at least five times faster than chemical film processing, which is nothing to say of reduced focal spot sizes. These are used primarily for automotive and semiconductor industries, using reduced tube power to create more accurate aerospace castings and weld inspection. CT scanning is an essential part of any industry or process that requires accuracy, speed and efficiency to provide services and goods to people across the country.
