Introduction to “Realistic Simulation of real CT systems with a basic-qualified Simulation Software - CTSimU2“
Authors:   University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Reuter Tamara ,   Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Borges de Oliveira Fabrício ,   HEITEC PTS GmbH, Abt Christian ,   Werth Messtechnik GmbH, Ballach Frederic ,   Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Bartscher Markus ,   BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Bellon Carsten ,   Siemens AG, Dennerlein Frank ,   Volume Graphics GmbH, Fuchs Patrick ,   diondo GmbH, Günnewig Olaf ,   University of Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Hausotte Tino ,   Volume Graphics GmbH, Hess Jonathan ,   Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits (IIS), Kasperl Stefan ,   Siemens AG, Maass Nicole ,   Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH, Kimmig Wolfgang ,   Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits (IIS), Schielein Richard ,   diondo GmbH, Von Schmid Mirko ,   Baker Hughes Digital Solutions GmbH, Suppes Alexander ,   Weidmüller Interface GmbH & Co. KG,, Wagner Georg ,   Siemens AG,  Corporate Technology (CT), Watzl Christia ,   HEITEC PTS GmbH, Wohlgemuth Florian 
Published: February 2023

The lack of traceability to meter of X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) measurements still hinders a more extensive acceptance of CT in coordinate metrology and industry. To ensure traceable, reliable, and accurate measurements, the determination of the task-specific measurement uncertainty is necessary. The German guideline VDI/VDE 2630 part 2.1 [1] describes a procedure to determine the measurement uncertainty for CT experimentally by conducting several repeated measurements with a calibrated test specimen. However, this experimental procedure is cost and effort intensive. Therefore, the simulation of dimensional measurement tasks conducted with X-ray computed tomography can close these drawbacks. Additionally, recent developments towards a resource and cost-efficient production (“smart factory”) motivate the need for a corresponding numerical model of a CT system (“digital twin”) as well. As there is no standardized procedure to determine the measurement uncertainty of a CT system by simulation at the moment, the project series CTSimU was initiated, aiming at this gap. Concretely, the goal is the development of a procedure to determine the measurement uncertainty numerically by radiographic simulation. The first project (2019-2022), "Radiographic Computed Tomography Simulation for Measurement Uncertainty Evaluation - CTSimU" developed a framework to qualify a radiographic simulation software concerning the correct simulation of physical laws and functionalities [2-6]. The most important outcome was a draft for a new guideline VDI/VDE 2630 part 2.2, which is currently under discussion in the VDI/VDE committee. The follow-up project CTSimU2 "Realistic Simulation of real CT systems with a basic-qualified Simulation Software" will deal with building and characterizing a digital replica of a specific real-world CT system. The two main targets of this project will be a toolbox including methods and procedures to configure a realistic CT system simulation and to develop tests to check if this replica is sufficient enough. The result will be a draft for a follow-up VDI/VDE guideline proposing standardized procedures to determine a CT system's corresponding characteristics and test the simulation (copy) of a real-world CT system which we call a "digital twin".