X-ray Talbot Imaging for 3D Laminated Product Inspection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional non-destructive inspection methods are inadequate for detecting minute air bubbles and gaps between laminated layers in three-dimensional laminated shaped products, leading to the need for destructive inspections that are time-consuming and limited to partial product inspection.

Innovation Solution

A quality inspection method using an X-ray Talbot imaging system that captures moire images and reconstructs absorption, differential phase, and small-angle scattering images, allowing for non-destructive inspection of the inner state of three-dimensional laminated shaped products without destroying them.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional non-destructive inspection methods are used, then the inspection object is not destroyed, but minute air bubbles and gaps between laminated layers cannot be detected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoiddetection precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the X-ray imaging process into three distinct image types (absorption image, differential phase image, and small-angle scattering image), each capturing different physical properties of the inspection object. This segmentation allows minute air bubbles and gaps to be detected through the small-angle scattering image which is specifically sensitive to micro-structural variations, thereby resolving the contradiction between non-destructive inspection and detection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the imaging parameters by utilizing three different X-ray interaction mechanisms (absorption, differential phase, and small-angle scattering) to generate multiple image types from the same inspection object. This parameter change enables the detection of minute anomalies that would be invisible in conventional single-parameter X-ray imaging, thus improving detection precision without destroying the inspection object.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If destructive inspection is used, then minute anomalies can be detected, but the inspection object is destroyed and only partial inspection is possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection precisionVSAvoidinspection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical destructive inspection process with a non-destructive X-ray imaging system that captures multiple types of images simultaneously. This substitution eliminates the need to physically destroy or disassemble the inspection object, allowing complete area inspection while maintaining high detection precision for minute anomalies, thereby dramatically improving inspection efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If destructive inspection is used, then minute anomalies can be detected, but significantly amounts of work and time are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection precisionVSAvoidinspection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous non-destructive inspection by capturing absorption, differential phase, and small-angle scattering images in a single integrated X-ray imaging process. This continuous action eliminates the need for multiple separate destructive inspections, reducing both the time and labor required while maintaining high detection precision for minute anomalies throughout the entire inspection object.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

Enables quick and accurate inspection of the inner state of three-dimensional laminated shaped products, identifying minute anomalies such as air bubbles and gaps, thereby facilitating effective quality management without the need for destructive testing.

Implementation Method 1

an X-ray Talbot imaging system capable of performing X-ray Talbot imaging

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTalbot effect:

Implementation Method 2

captures moire images

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMoiré effect: Moiré Effect

Implementation Method 3

reconstructs absorption, differential phase, and small-angle scattering images

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectX-ray absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 4

differential phase-contrast and dark-field images provide different structural information

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDifferential phase-contrast:

Implementation Method 5

small-angle scattering images

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSmall-angle scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP3608659B1Quality inspection method
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 KONICA MINOLTA INC
  • EP3608659B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3608659B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3608659B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~5

AI summary

Provided is a quality inspection method in which an inner state of a three-dimensional laminated molding can be quickly and easily inspected without destroying the three-dimensional laminated molding. To this end, the quality inspection method uses an X-ray Talbot imaging system 1 which creates a reconstructed image of an inspection object on the basis of a moire image obtained by using an X-ray detector to read X-rays which, after being radiated from an X-ray source 11a, have passed through: a plurality of grids in which a plurality of slits S are arranged in a direction perpendicular to the radiation axis direction of the X-ray; and an inspection object H placed on a subject table 13. The inspection object H is a three-dimensional laminated molding formed into a three-dimensional shape by laminating multiple layers of constituent materials. The reconstructed image is created while the inspection object H is placed on the subject table 13 in such a way that at least the lamination direction of layers constituting the inspection object H and the arrangement direction of the plurality of slits S in the plurality of grids are parallel. The inner state of the inspection object H is inspected on the basis of the reconstructed image.