Image processing for CT-assisted reverse engineering and part characterization

Computed tomography (CT) systems have the ability to rapidly and nondestructively produce images of both exterior and interior surfaces and regions. Because CT images are densitometrically accurate, complete morphological and part characterization information can be obtained without need of physical sectioning. CT data can be processed to create computer-aided design (CAD) representations of the part, to extract dimensional measurement, or to detect, size and locate defects. The key image processing steps which are required both for CT-assisted reverse engineering and CT-assisted part characterization are examined. Two desirable characteristics of the underlying image processing algorithms are accuracy of the produced results and the ability to handle large volumetric images of complex parts