Frequently
asked Questions

The voidsy 3D V-ROX system is a compact photothermal tomography system based on active infrared thermography that enables non-contact, fast and therefore cost-efficient non-destructive material and component testing.

The system provides additional value for quality assurance experts in a wide range of vertical markets. The compact design enables manual, mobile use on the one hand, while the system is also very suitable for automated inspection tasks, e.g. by robots.

Physically, the device is based on active infrared thermography. The part under test is forced out of thermal equilibrium by applying energy, e.g. using optical excitation sources. The radiation from the excitation sources is absorbed by the component surface, whereupon the heat diffuses into the component. In the case of any defects, the thermal wave is reflected and travels back to the component surface, but already carries information about the internal structure of the component. The surface temperature is measured by an infrared detector during the entire inspection process. The voidsy post-processing enables the calculation of the internal component structure and thus an imaging 3D inspection result.

Compared to the well-known computer tomography (X-ray), no ionizing radiation is emitted. This means that no extensive radiation protection equipment or associated protective measures are necessary. In addition, near-surface defects, e.g. delamination in composite materials, can be detected more accurately, as these are often smaller than the resolution accuracy of computer tomography.

The areas of application for the voidsy 3D V-ROX system are manifold. The system is typically used at many points in a given product life cycle. The system is usually used by material manufacturers to ensure the quality of semi-finished products. In the area of product development, the system is often a quick, simple and imaging support for product designers and engineers. In production, the voidsy 3D V-ROX system enables easy-to-automate in-line inspection to ensure the quality of finished products. Thanks to its compact design, the voidsy 3D V-ROX system can be used in mobile applications, for example for in-service inspections in the aviation industry.

Currently, the lateral resolution at a distance of 700 mm is 660 µm and the material-dependent depth resolution is around 100 µm, whereby the physical principle of our technology is a diffusion process. This means that the reconstruction accuracy decreases with increasing depth. For this reason, our method is not classified as a volumetric method, but as a near-surface method. The maximum thickness of monolithic structures, in a comparable accuracy class to ultrasonic testing, is limited to around 10 mm - but is contactless, large-area and therefore much faster and more cost-efficient!

The minimum required inspection time is dependent on the material to be inspected and the thickness of the structure. On a 5 mm thick structure made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), the necessary test duration is around 60 seconds, whereby the result is subsequently available for an area of (400 x 300) mm². Compared to computer tomography or ultrasonic testing, a scan with the voidsy 3D V-ROX system is many times faster - non-contact and without ionizing radiation.

The necessary software to carry out your measurements with the voidsy 3D V-ROX is included in the scope of delivery. In addition, it is possible to carry out a basic evaluation of your results with the software provided. For further requirements, we refer to our optional software solutions - for additional information please contact us us here.

As the voidsy 3D V-ROX already has a powerful computing unit installed, the complex and time-consuming calculation of the results takes place directly in the system. The advantage for you is that you only need a tablet or computer to control the system or analyze your measurement results. The data is stored in a proprietary voidsy data format on the 3D V-ROX and can of course also be saved offline. No additional third-party software is required. Of course, you can also use the software to analyze your results without an active connection to the 3D V-ROX system.

The voidsy 3D V-ROX system is equipped with built-in particle filter elements, which make a significant contribution to the operational stability of the device in challenging environments, e.g. in the carbon fiber processing industry. To maintain the stability of your process, we recommend replacing the particle filter elements at regular intervals. Halogen lamps are used as optical excitation sources, as they have a much more constant radiation behavior over their service life than conventional lamps. Nevertheless, we recommend replacing the lamps regularly to ensure a constant energy input into your high-quality components. Ask us about our 3D V-ROX service packages, where we will be pleased to extensively clean, service and calibrate your device for you.

We of course offer our voidsy 3D V-ROX customers comprehensive device training, in which the handling of the system is individually trained on the customer's components - if available. New material systems or manufacturing processes often lead to new inspection tasks. We are also happy to assist our existing customers in this area in order to quickly ensure the non-destructive inspection of their new products.

The voidsy 3D V-ROX system is characterized by its simple handling and low level of safety requirements. In comparison to high-energy laser radiation, the radiation emitted by the halogen lamps poses no safety risk. Likewise, no ionizing radiation is used, as is the case with X-rays or computer tomography. Therefore, no radiation protection device is required and the voidsy 3D V-ROX should be treated as a normal electrical device with protection class IP30. When the system is used as intended, the protective glass of the halogen lamps heats up, so avoid touching them.

If it should become necessary and you need spare parts for the 3D V-ROX system, we will do our best to make them available to you as quickly as possible. We keep a large proportion of the components used in stock at our site. For spare parts or accessory inquiries, please Contact us here.