CT-based dimensional metrology developments in Brazil: Current status and outlook

Abstract

Since the 1980s Computed Tomography (CT) has been used in many industrial sectors for non-destructive inspection, including flaw detection, failure analysis, and assembly analysis. Back to the 2000s CT has become a metrology tool for dimensioning and tolerancing analysis as well, in which some topics have gained attention of researchers, such as the traceability of a measurement result and the evaluation of the measurement uncertainty. In Brazil, the first two CT systems for dimensional applications were installed about a decade ago in two research centers. For years these two CT infrastructures for dimensional metrology allowed companies of different segments to benefit from the technique and made it possible for researchers to be involved in the field of CT for dimensional metrology. More recently, those promising initiatives have been drastically reduced for reasons such as the obsolescence of those CT infrastructures, despite the significant research efforts that have been observed in other venues. To reverse this negative outlook associated with the field of CT dimensional metrology in Brazil, this paper outlines an integrative framework for collaborative research and development in the subject, which encourages measures, e.g., to fund basic and applied researches, to train and educate people, and to support industries through measurement services and bespoke solutions.