X-ray inspection systems for plastics

Quality assurance of plastic components is critical to ensure that the parts produced meet the required standards. This includes checking material quality, controlling production processes, dimensional and surface inspections, and strength and load tests. Spot checks and series tests help to identify potential problems at an early stage. Accurate documentation of all measures is important for traceability and problem analysis. Quality assurance aims to satisfy customers, minimize rejects and ensure product safety.  

Different processes for the production of plastic parts  

There are various processes for manufacturing plastic parts, including injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, thermoforming, rotational molding, compression molding and injection blow molding. Recently, plastic parts are also often manufactured additively using 3D printing. Each process has specific applications and benefits that are considered based on product complexity, quantity, material selection and cost. Choosing the right process depends on individual requirements and circumstances.  

Use of computed tomography (CT) in the inspection of plastic parts  

The use of CT (computed tomography) metrology for plastic parts offers numerous advantages and is an extremely effective method for quality assurance and defect analysis. Thanks to high-precision 3D visualization, complex shapes, internal voids, and inclusions can be examined in detail. Since it is a non-destructive testing (NDT) method, the integrity of the parts remains unaffected. CT enables accurate detection of flaws and defects, helps analyze material density and homogeneity, and enables precise dimensional inspection. It also supports root cause analysis and promotes efficiency in production control. In research and development of new plastic parts, CT is a valuable tool for detailed analysis of prototypes and early detection of design flaws. Overall, the use of CT metrology enables comprehensive and reliable analysis of plastic parts, which helps improve product quality and process optimization and increases customer satisfaction.  

Quality assurance in the plastics industry through X-ray inspection and CT    

The quality control requirements of manufacturers of plastic parts vary widely and can be roughly divided into three categories:    

Manufacturers producing lower volumes require manual systems for small batches or single inspections. Small benchtop devices are often used in the laboratory.    

Medium-volume manufacturers require more automated testing. Automated part changers or robotic loading from a pallet are ideal for this purpose. In the case of extremely high volumes, for example in series production in the automotive sector, high-performance inline systems with automatic evaluation are required. Through robot loading or directly integrated into the production line, the shortest cycle times can be achieved.    

Of particular importance is the use of computer tomography systems in materials laboratories of plastics manufacturers. These devices can be used to perform demanding measurement tasks and material analyses. The data generated can be used to correct molds and optimize production parameters. In this context, it is important to ensure that the CT system is highly precise and capable of measuring.    

Selecting the right system can be complex, and a good decision must weigh many parameters such as size, speed, cost, etc. Contact our product specialists for more advice.