Radalytica Robotic Imaging System

The major advantages of the x-ray scanner based on a pair of robotic arms are:

• Modular: combination of imaging methods
• Total freedom of X-ray viewing angles
• Flexibility regarding size and shape of samples
• Air-coupled ultrasound scan of complex curvatures
• Extendible to 3D by Computed Tomography and Tomosynthesis
• High resolution of 50 µm in large area scans
• Online and real-time inspection
• Automatic repetitive inspection
• Easy programming or intuitive manual handling using 3D Mouse Move
• Possibility to integrate into production lines or stand-alone flexible lab systems or portable systems

Radalytica uses a new generation of X-ray imaging detectors, which provide unprecedented image quality that helps identify impurities in materials and products, bubbles, cracks, foreign objects, or misalignments. In classical X-ray imaging systems, both the X-ray tube and detectors are fixed or move only in a limited range or direction (left, right, up, and down). Hence, it is not easy, or even possible, to inspect selected areas of larger structures, especially when they have complex shapes. Contrary to the classical X-ray imaging setups, Radalytica gives nearly absolute flexibility of viewing angles and makes the X-ray inspection as easy as visual control.

We’ve designed algorithms and tools to accurately calibrate robotic arms geometrically to achieve high-resolution CT reconstructions.

Radalytica is the first company to prove x-ray and ultrasound are complementary methods for NDT. Radalytica supports an air-coupled ultrasound to inspect advanced composite materials, such as aircraft fuselage, wings, propeller blades, or even objects made from polymers, wood, or metal. The air-coupled ultrasound allows Radalytica to detect inhomogeneity, internal discontinuities, or surface damage to the material. In contrast to conventional testing, no liquid coupling and no direct contact with the test object is required. Many components cannot be wetted with liquid coupling due to material or production-dependent properties, because they would otherwise swell, peel, corrode, or otherwise be destroyed. Existing systems with liquid coupling (e.g. squirter or immersion technology test systems) also require a complicated water supply and drainage as well as lengthy and costly drying processes. This technology takes the effectiveness and quality of non-destructive testing to the highest possible level.

Example – Honeycomb sandwich panel with artificial defects in skin-to-honeycomb connection. UT scan shows the artificial circular inserts simulating disconnection of the honeycomb from the skin.

Example – x-ray comparison with Ultrasound, in the photo of the CRFP both UT and x-ray detect the damaged area, UT detects delamination, but only the combination of methods shows all available data – delaminations, cracks, fibre bundles and even the paint markers on the sample.

3D Mouse Move is a plugin to control the Radalytica robotic imaging system in real-time and in any direction or rotation. Once you shift or tilt the tool by hand using the freedrive button, the robot will follow the same movements. When the robot is out of the operator’s reach, 3D Mouse Move replicates the same intuitive experience.  Such cases happen if the robot is in another room or is inaccessible, which is the case for RIS due to radiation safety.

3D Mouse Move can be used to teach the robot during programming or controlling the robot in real-time to perform various tasks:

• Intuitive real-time motion response
• Movement in any arbitrary direction
• Controlling the robot from another room