PROCESS FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE QUALITY CONTROL INSPECTION OF SELF-PIERCING RIVET (SPR) JOINT

A system and method for inspecting an assembly including components joined by self-piercing rivets by a computerized tomography (CT) scan of the joint is provided. The system includes a source of x-rays, a mounting unit for an assembly including the joint which is subject to the x-rays, and an x-ray...

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Bibliographische Detailangaben
1. Verfasser:	BEALS, Randy, S
Format:	Patent
Sprache:	eng ; fre ; ger
Schlagworte:	INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIRCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES MEASURING PHYSICS TESTING
Online-Zugang:	Volltext bestellen
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Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:	A system and method for inspecting an assembly including components joined by self-piercing rivets by a computerized tomography (CT) scan of the joint is provided. The system includes a source of x-rays, a mounting unit for an assembly including the joint which is subject to the x-rays, and an x-ray detector disposed opposite the source for detecting the x-rays. The x-rays are provided at a high energy level of at least 200 kV to generate images having a resolution of at least 200 micrometers (μm). A computer stitches the images together to form reconstructive images which show details of the joint. The assembly to be inspected is not destroyed or modified prior to the inspection process. The resolution of the images generated by the x-rays is high enough to determine the presence of cracks, if any, the interlock (SH), minimum thickness (Tmin), and overall structure of the unmodified assembly.