3D Composite Strand Skeletonization via Correlation Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for skeletonizing strands in composite material parts within 3D images are laborious, costly, and prone to errors due to high density and compact arrangement of strands, making it difficult to accurately detect and analyze internal defects.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize reference volumes with centered strand patterns to detect oriented section centers of strands in 3D images through correlation scoring, followed by linking these centers to obtain the skeleton of the strands, thereby enhancing precision and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual annotation and interpolation methods are used to detect strand centers, then the process can be completed with simple equipment, but the time and resources required become excessive and errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrand center detection precisionVSAvoidskeletonization time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical annotation with an automated image processing system that uses correlation scoring between reference volumes and 3D image data to detect strand centers, eliminating the need for manual intervention while improving precision and reducing time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses reference volumes (copies of typical strand patterns) to compare against the 3D image data through correlation scoring, allowing automated detection of strand centers by matching patterns rather than manual annotation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If manual annotation of strand centers is performed, then operator judgment can be used, but interpretation-specific errors and potential mistakes occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidstrand center detection precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces human operator judgment with an automated correlation-based detection system that objectively compares reference volumes with image data, eliminating interpretation-specific errors while maintaining high precision through mathematical correlation scoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where correlation scores are calculated and used to identify local maxima that correspond to strand centers, providing an objective, repeatable detection process that eliminates human error while maintaining high precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of manufacture

If traditional skeletonization methods are used on high-density composite materials, then the existing process can be maintained, but the compact arrangement of strands makes identification difficult and errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess simplicityVSAvoidstrand identification precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts key structural features of strands by using reference volumes that capture typical strand patterns, allowing the system to identify strands in high-density materials by matching these extracted features rather than attempting to resolve every detail of compacted strands

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent operates in 3D space using volumetric correlation scoring rather than 2D image analysis, allowing strand centers to be detected by comparing volumetric reference patterns with the 3D image data, which improves precision in high-density materials where 2D methods fail

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The proposed method significantly reduces the time and resources required for skeletonization, minimizes errors, and provides a more precise and reliable detection of strand positions and defects, even in high-density composite materials.

Implementation Method 1

calculating a correlation score between the reference volume and each portion of the image by comparison of the gray level of their respective voxels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCorrelation scoring:

Implementation Method 2

acquire by tomography a 3D image in gray levels N of the vane 1 from a large number of 2D radiographies obtained by bombarding the vane 1 with X-rays along different angles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectX-ray absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS12347115B2Method and system for skeletonizing strands of a composite material part in a 3D image

Publication Date: 2025.07.01 SAFRAN SA

AI summary

A method for skeletonizing the strands of a composite material part in a 3D image having a step of detecting oriented section centers of the strands and a link from each center to the closest center having the same orientation, the detection being carried out by means of at least one reference volume having an oriented centered strand pattern, the detection step having, for each reference volume: •a step of determining portions of the image, •a step of calculating a correlation score between the reference volume and each portion associated with the central voxel of each portion, so as to obtain a correlation score for each voxel of the image; and •a step of determining the strand centers corresponding to the voxels having a correlation score which corresponds to a local maximum.