(Nikon Metrology: Brighton, MI) -- Metrology CT is the fusion of metrology and X-ray computed tomography (CT). X-ray has long been used for industrial applications. With X-ray CT, a number of 2-D X-ray images are taken at different angles around the sample. All the external and internal geometry are captured as the X-rays pass through the sample. Computed tomography software constructs a 3-D model of the sample using these 2-D images. Dimensional characteristics such as size, position, and form can be measured directly using the model as well as full, part-to-CAD comparison, section reporting, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) analysis.

Nikon’s MCT225 is precalibrated using accuracy standards traceable to the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the United Kingdom’s national measurement institute and verified using VDI/VDE 2630—“Guidelines for computed tomography in dimensional measurement.” Absolute accuracy guarantees measurement accuracy without time-consuming comparative scans or reference measurements; samples are simply placed on a rotary table inside the enclosure and measured.

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