Weighing approximately 32 tonne, PWR’s largest investment to date in a single piece of test equipment occurred with the purchase of one Yxlon FF85 CT scanner. With an inspection envelope of 1000mm height x 850mm diameter, parts as big as 2000mm height x 1500mm diameter may be interrogated layer by layer with full 360° rotation. Having up to 450 kV electrical potential, 320 W of tube power and with a focal spot size of less than 6µm, this instrument gives PWR full insight into weld penetration, inclusions, and porosity, braze quality, internal product features and geometry that would otherwise be unknown without destruction. Used primarily for research & development and quality assurance, this CT scanner opens-up a multitude of potential for further product development and non-destructive testing at PWR and for external partners and research institutions.
Industrial computed tomography (CT) is a highly precise, non-destructive X-Ray imaging technology. The CT scanner reconstruction produces a complete 3D representation of a component, based on a large number of 2D X-ray images. Computed Tomography allows PWR to draw conclusions on the external and internal structures without the need to physical dissect and analyse the entire component which would otherwise render it unsuitable for future use.
PWR utilises Volume Graphics VG Studio Max software which enables a seamless connection between the Yxlon FF85 data and the comprehensive analysis tools and measurement functions within the software. Some of the evaluations that can be performed include porosity/inclusion analysis, Wall thickness analysis, Nominal/Actual Comparison and Coordinate Measurement.