X-ray and CT Inspection Services

Illuminate hidden secrets, defects, or inconsistencies using our market-leading, non-destructive X-ray inspection services. We can handle one-off or regular batch scanning, from the newest lithium-ion battery to 65-million-year-old dinosaur eggs and from small parts to large assemblies. Get fast, precise and flexible X-ray inspection results from experts with over 35 years of experience.

Comprehensive, 2D and 3D X-ray Inspection Services

Send us your parts for scanning and benefit from our competitive contracts, quick, tailored service and custom reports. Our fully equipped X-ray inspection laboratories and expert team are at your disposal. Our 130-450 kV Computed Tomography (CT) systems and software will reveal the information you need. You can focus on your business while we provide precise and insightful material analysis, assembly inspection, quality assurance and CT metrology.

Contact our Team

Whatever you need scanning, analysing or inspecting, we can help. Tell us what you need in the form below and one of our expert team will be in touch.

Key Benefits

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Comprehensive

Inspect anything you need. Small to large, natural to industrial with 2D Digital Radiography or 3D Computed Tomography.

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Tailored

Customise your scan, analysis and deliverables to your specifications, timescales and budgets.

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Quality

Our 130-450kV Microfocus CT Systems deliver leading scan quality on samples with materials ranging from low to high density.

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Efficient

Solve your problems quickly and conserve time and money with our X-ray non-destructive testing (NDT).

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Experts

Our technicians have over 35 years of X-ray CT expertise and strive to deliver quality results that will exceed your expectations.

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Fast

Your results and sample(s) will be returned to you within 5-7 days after we receive your item, or even faster with our express service.

How We Can Help

Our Process

01 Scope

Based on your industrial CT scanning needs and expectations, we will propose the most appropriate approach and agree on the deliverables.

02 Scan

We scan your component using advanced, proprietary X-ray inspection systems and transformative software for greater clarity.

03 Analyse

Choose to have your results in easy-to-interpret reports with images (tiff or jpeg), avi or complete data sets.

04 Review

Our team is available with knowledgeable data support, consultancy, or even training for independent X-ray inspection.

Industry Applications

Aerospace & Defence

We have over 35 years of experience developing X-ray CT technology for and collaborating with aerospace companies worldwide. As such, X-ray CT has become the industry standard for failure analysis, defect detection and metrology. From avionics to casting and turbine blades to sensors, we can deliver precise data for you to develop reliable, quality components. Scan image: 3D CT industrial scan of a jet engine turbine blade.

Automotive & Motorsport

Since 1986, Nikon has been a trusted partner to automotive innovators, providing X-ray CT imaging to gain meaningful insights. Our expertise spans traditional needs like analysing crankcases, cylinder heads, composites, connectors, brake discs, steering wheels, tyres, filters, fuel tanks and piping, and Nikon also addresses emerging requirements from the burgeoning EV industry and motorsports like Formula 1. Scan image: 3D CT industrial scan of a car steering wheel’s media controller.

Li-ion Batteries

Nikon has transformed non-destructive testing for battery makers through pioneering X-ray systems and intelligent software. Our lithium-ion cell analysis unlocks meaningful insights from LiB.Overhang Analysis examination to AI-powered defect detection. Leveraging proprietary reconstruction algorithms, state-of-the-art X-ray hardware and AI innovations, we provide faster, accurate battery data. Scan image: 3D CT industrial scan of a lithium-ion battery cell.

Medical & Pharmaceuticals

X-ray CT inspection guarantees accessibility to all medical application areas, from simple to intricate devices. We can inspect additively manufactured parts, polymers or porous materials, sensitively and efficiently. Gain fundamental insight to ensure reliable and repeatable performances for implants, stents, pacemakers and more. Scan image: 3D CT industrial scan of an inhaler to treat asthma.

Academic Research

Nikon’s leading X-ray CT non-destructive testing allows academics to peer further into the past and innovate for the future. We have helped to reveal the secrets within a 65-million-year-old dinosaur egg, test prototype ceramics for aerospace parts, and analyse elements in innovative alloys. Scan image: 3D CT industrial scan of a shark’s tooth.

Additive & Castings

Nikon inspection services reveal a wealth of data. We can measure the internals of an additively manufactured part or spot a crack propagating in a dense metal casting. X-ray CT inspection simultaneously provides metrology and quality assurance capability for engineering components, highlighting porosity, shrinkage and foreign materials. Scan image: 3D CT industrial scan of an additive-manufactured turbine compressor.

Electronics

X-ray CT inspection is ideal for examining probe cards, BGAs, solder joints, microchips (ICs) or even double-sided printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs). We can investigate miniature and complex electronic assemblies with a high voxel resolution and without obstruction with our proprietary Tilted CT process. Scan image: 2D digital radiography image of a cell phone.

FAQs

A fast and convenient service for engineers, scientists, and quality control personnel to gain access to X-ray CT technology to help inspect the internal features of their items of interest. Send us your items, and we will scan them. Then, we will provide the data you need to help solve your problems or complete your project.

DR provides a flat, 2D radiograph, similar to a traditional medical X-ray. DR is great for fast, routine inspections as well as real-time evaluation. CT builds on DR by capturing hundreds or thousands of DR radiographs around an axis of rotation and then compiling them into a 3D volumetric reconstruction. CT scans provide data easier to visualise and interpret and offer much more advanced inspection capabilities, especially on complex objects.

The types of parts vary greatly depending on the physical size of the system and the power of the X-ray source. We have a wide range of systems and have inspected objects varying in size from small to very large.

X-ray CT scan resolution depends on many factors, including part size, X-ray source, detector, technique, and area of interest. The sample size is often the most significant determining factor in scan resolution – the smaller the item, the higher the resolution we can achieve. We’ve scanned very small samples in the 1 to 10-micron range and large samples in the 100 to 200-micron resolution range. A discussion with our technicians about your sample and needs can usually give a good idea of what resolution to expect.

The resolution does not equal defect detectability. Ideally, you want your scan resolution to be three times better than the defect size you are trying to find. For example, if you are seeking a 15-micron defect, your scan resolution should be 5 microns or better. There are exceptions to this, but this is a good starting point for establishing expectations.

Typical deliverables for our X-ray CT Inspection Services include the full CT reconstruction exported into a packaged myVGL format, a free viewer which allows you to open and manipulate the scan data on any computer without downloading additional software. Also included are images, videos, and advanced analysis reports specific to the project and customer’s needs. Additionally, we offer an optional web meeting to review the data and guide you through the software.

Other Services Available

Customer Support

Our highly trained engineers are standing by to answer your questions, solve your problems and take your service calls.

Resource Centre

Browse and download the latest brochures and case studies.

Training

Online or in-person training for our systems and software.

Explore Our X-ray CT Products

Contact us today to take control of your X-ray inspection or learn more about Nikon computed tomography (CT) systems. We will tell you about our comprehensive selection, including large envelope, helical, high-flux rotation, 2D, 3D, and more.

Request Your Inspection

Whatever you need scanning, analysing or inspecting, we can help. Click the button below and fill in the form to tell us what you need. One of our expert team members will then be in touch.