Nikon has launched AI Reconstruction, a 3D CT reconstruction software solution powered by artificial intelligence. According to Nikon, this solution "eliminates the traditional trade-off between scan speed...
Nikon promises faster results and more efficient analysis during 3D computed tomography (CT) reconstruction thanks to Deep Learning techniques. Until now, CT users have had to choose between fast acquisitions of inferior quality (missing details) or slow acquisitions of superior quality.
The Deep Learning modeling underlying AI Reconstruction is trained to distinguish relevant information from acquisition artifacts in order to efficiently filter out noise and improve image quality.
"Nikon's latest breakthrough in AI-enhanced 3D reconstruction represents a fundamental change for industrial CT, says Chris Price, Nikon's product manager for X-ray tomography systems. By eliminating the choice between speed and quality, AI Reconstruction delivers fast results and superior image clarity, offering a new level of flexibility for all users. This technological leap helps Quality and Testing teams improve productivity and accuracy like never before. Precisely sharper image quality reveals tiny defects that previously required painstaking scans, while faster scan speeds enable users to reliably analyze more units per day."
The manufacturer reports that, thanks to rigorous testing, its technology offers flexible integration with leading analysis software packages for reliable inspection of the most difficult component geometries.
The AI Reconstruction solution has been designed to comply with the European Union's ethical guidelines for trustworthy artificial intelligence. These guidelines propose seven key requirements for trusted AI systems: human agency and oversight, technical robustness and security, data privacy and governance, transparency, diversity, non-discrimination and fairness, societal and environmental well-being, and accountability.
The automotive, aerospace and manufacturing sectors, as well as the medical device industry, could all benefit from this new technology, offering meticulous quality control via precise metrology.
Nikon's new AI solution is based on the same technology as Nikon's LiB.Overhang Analysis, a dedicated analysis solution that enables fast, accurate and consistent CT inspection and anode overhang analysis in lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) during mass production, launched in 2023.
By automatically analyzing 3D CT scan data using AI, LiB.Overhang Analysis can accurately measure the critical dimensions of anode overhang areas in LiB cells to ensure they meet the tolerances required for optimum battery performance and safety.
"AI Reconstruction has a much wider range of applications, says Chris Price. Rather than performing an analysis, it enhances image quality so that scans can be easily analyzed using industry-standard software. This means that many other sectors can benefit, creating unprecedented opportunities for improvement in areas such as castings, additive manufacturing, academia, research and many more."
Nikon's AI Reconstruction is a tailor-made service that draws on the company's expertise to meet specific customer needs. An experienced Nikon applications engineer works directly with each customer to train an accurate model using samples from a targeted workflow.
The launch of AI Reconstruction will enable Nikon to concentrate on LiB cell production, where the company is already a leading partner for many manufacturers.
"As volumes increase to meet the demands of next-generation transportation, manufacturers increasingly need automated quality control to match industrial production rates, explains Chris Price. Nikon intends to consolidate its position on the lithium-ion battery assembly line by providing new solutions based on artificial intelligence for increased evaluation productivity."