Why Do We Need X-Rays?

Everyday services like doctor check-ups and product creation would be difficult and expensive without the advent of modern 3D scanning services. The average industrial x-ray is the backbone of many a dental exam or hospital visit, used for everything from routine scanning to identifying chronic issues to even making the items you use daily. Industrial 3D scanners have even been taken a step further and used for complex forms of printing and production in various industries. Thanks to steady advancement by programmers and engineers, economic and physical necessities have never been easier to achieve.

History Of CT Scanning

3D scanning has been around for at least a few decades, with many advancements pushed yearly by scientific institutes and universities. British engineer Godfrey Hounsfield and South African-born physicist Allan Cormack were both awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1972 for inventing the CT (also known as the CAT). Clinical CT scanners became later installed in 1974, originally used for head imaging and eventually being extended to analyze the entire body. It’s estimated there are 6,000 CT scanners in the U.S., with 30,000 installed throughout the world.

Industrial X-Ray And CT Scans

Modern x-rays can be taken at 30 frames per second at an almost instantaneous rate nowadays. Size and resolution has become less of a scanning issue over time, as well, with micro-CT scans yielding resolutions 100 times better than even the best medical CAT scan in the field. Industrial CT technology has improved in leaps and bounds over the proceeding decades — what would originally take hours to achieve now can be accomplished in a manner of minutes, paving the way for complicated tasks like reverse engineering and rapid prototyping.

Scanner Services

Nearly every industry in the U.S. has a prominent use for 3D scanning services. Dental offices need scanners to identify cavities and eruptions in their patient’s mouths, while hospitals use industrial x-ray equipment to better identify health issues. Production companies use scanning to better duplicate models for printing lines, as well, and the advent of the widely available 3D printer has made it easier than ever for small businesses to create the products they need. The accuracy and speed of 3D scanning and printing has drastically reduced inspection costs by at least 25% compared to previous methods. No matter the field you work in, it’s highly likely you’ll come in contact with the speed and efficiency of a 3D scanner at least once.