Speaker & Abstracts

Josef Uher

RadalyX: Portable Multimodal Robotic Scanner

Robotic Computed Tomography (CT) is establishing itself as a versatile and transformative tool in non-destructive inspection. Robots not only facilitate upscaling CT measurements for large objects but also offer the flexibility of diverse scanning trajectories, making advanced inspection of regions of interest possible. Our portable scanner design eliminates the need for objects to “go to the CT machine”; instead, the CT machine “comes to the object,” significantly enhancing usability in aerospace, space, and other demanding fields. This mobility broadens the spectrum of object sizes that can be inspected while enabling the use of smaller, more precise robots.

Recent advancements in CT technology include the integration of photon-counting detectors, which enhance x-ray image quality through improved sensitivity. These detectors reduce the required maximum acceleration voltage on the x-ray tube, simplify radiation protection, and leverage thresholds to improve image contrast. Combined with a robotic platform, this approach expands inspection capabilities and facilitates integration with complementary methods. For example, x-ray diffraction (XRD) enables imaging of ordered structures such as fibres in composites or crystalline structures, as well as heat-affected zones after welding, while x-ray backscattering allows single-sided imaging further expanding the portfolio of detectable defects. These advancements make the system highly adaptable across industries.

Our work also addresses challenges associated with robotic inspection. A critical hurdle is raising awareness about the potential of robotic CT among the relevant public. To this end, building a comprehensive portfolio of use cases is essential. Furthermore, establishing standards that encompass both photon-counting detectors and robotic scanning technologies will be crucial for widespread adoption.

This talk will present case studies demonstrating the portability of the system, including the inspection of a damaged aircraft, and discuss installation procedures and new robot position calibration methods. We will also showcase recent improvements in scanning strategies, image reconstruction, and the integration of multimodal imaging techniques, providing a glimpse into the future of portable robotic inspection.

Josef Uher, CTO, Radalytica

Josef Uher is a co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Radalytica and InsightART, where he leads teams focused on developing advanced X-ray imaging technologies. With a Ph.D. in Physics from the Czech Technical University, his expertise spans photon counting detectors, 3D detection structures in semiconductors, and neutron tomography. Josef has held research and leadership roles at different institutions, including the Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics and Amsterdam Scientific Instruments. He has published extensively on x-ray imaging, neutron detection, and semiconductor technology and holds several patents in radiation detection and imaging.

Sebastian Schulze

Radiography in Construction - Completely Non-Destructive Structural Diagnostics

In contrast to traditional materials testing, x-rays are rarely used in building diagnostics, but they offer strong potential for the non-destructive assessment of constructions of concrete and prestressed concrete structures. This talk demonstrates the applicability of mobile x-ray equipment in the field of structural inspection, as well as current research results on CT, using x-ray tubes with an acceleration voltage of up to 300 kV and a 2.5 MeV Betatron.

Sebastian Schulze, CEO, bauray GmbH

Sebastian Schulze earned his doctorate in 2017 as a research assistant at BAM (Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing) in Berlin on the use of ultrasonic echoes for the inspection of prestressed concrete structures. With the company bauray, he was the first in Germany to found an engineering firm specializing in the application of radiography within NDT-CE (non-destructive testing in civil engineering). In the “BridgeCT” research consortium, bauray is currently working with THD, TUM, and VisiConsult to develop practical methods for laminographic and CT examination of bridges and other massive concrete

cross-sections.

Gabriel Herl

Robo CT at Deggendorf - Current advances in Robotic CT, including workflows for easy scan planning, precise calibration and scans of big objects

This talk presents the robotic CT system in Deggendorf, highlighting its features, current challenges, and practical solutions. Several workflows for scan planning are demonstrated, ranging from small regions of interest to large objects. A digital twin is presented, supported by open-source software that allows users to plan and simulate robotic CT scans, even without direct access to a robotic CT system.

Different approaches for achieving precise and efficient robotic CT imaging are discussed. Methods for calibrating robotic CT scans are introduced, including approaches requiring an additional calibration scan as well as innovative techniques for live calibration. Additionally, the concept of Flyby-CT is presented for the first time in robotic CT systems, showing how it accelerates scans of large objects and improves the overall efficiency of robotic CT.

Gabriel Herl, Professor, Deggendorf Institute of Technology

Gabriel Herl has been researching multi-pose CT and robotic CT at the Deggendorf Institute of Technology since 2015. In 2022, he completed his PhD on CT trajectory optimization in collaboration with Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg. Since 2023, he has been a professor of robotic CT at the Deggendorf Institute of Technology, based at the Technology Campus Plattling. The Research Centre for Modern Mobility, located on the campus, specializes in areas such as robotic CT, energy storage systems, power electronics, and autonomous driving. Gabriel Herl's research primarily focuses on CT trajectory optimization, CT calibration, and developing optimized workflows for robotic CT.