DRAGONFLY – Halving the time it takes to test cast parts

The new DRAGONFLY technology cuts the testing time for cast parts by up to 50 percent compared to the stop-start testing method used to date.

During an X-ray scan, a robot moves larger objects such as cast parts between the X-ray source and the detector. Previously, the robot had to keep stopping for the X-ray scans to be taken. Using Fraunhofer EZRT’s DRAGONFLY technology in conjunction with high-performance X-ray tubes from SIEMENS AG, it is now possible to reduce the exposure time of an item to five milliseconds and by this way create high-resolution X-ray images from different perspectives while the component is moving.

The DRAGONFLY technology, deployed as part of a fully automated 100 percent X-ray inspection, has the potential to completely supplant the previous test setup used to ensure the quality of safety-critical cast components. Until now, several testing machines were required along the production line, resulting in significant maintenance work as well as energy and personnel costs. DRAGONFLY saves time, which makes it possible to reduce the number of testing machines needed.