The value of computed tomography measurement has become increasingly apparent as the Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology division surpasses 5,000 CT service scans for their customers. Carl Zeiss’s experience has helped customers determine the best measuring strategy for their product with minimal cost and time commitment.

These non-destructive, 3D part scans are commonly used for internal assembly analysis, part-to-CAD deviation comparison, defect analysis, first article inspection layout, PPAP (production part approval process) and verification of key product characteristics. Parts made of plastic, ceramics or composite materials, as well as magnesium and aluminum can be dimensionally measured and efficiently evaluated.

With computed tomography or CT scanning technology, the qualification process can be reduced to a day’s work. This technology allows internal and external analysis of a workpiece by using x-ray technology—similar to x-ray technology used in computed axial tomography (CAT) technology.

Carl Zeiss takes computed tomography one step further bridging it with metrology. The ZEISS METROTOM is a CMM that uses an x-ray based sensor. Once a part scan is completed the data is imported into Calypso software for manipulation and analysis of measurement accuracy. Calypso software can import any CAD format, has a strong GD&T math engine, can quickly create and edit measurement plans and most importantly is able to measure from native CT datasets. In addition to direct measurement, the voxel data may be output to STL or ASCII data formats for reverse engineering applications.

The METROTOM coordinate measuring machines are traceable, calibrated gages (ref VDI/VDE 2630 sheet 1.3) with a measurement uncertainty of 9+L/50 (METROTOM 1500) and 4.5+L/100 (METROTOM 800).

Carl Zeiss attributes its scanning services success to the following benefits of the METROTOM CMM:

• Fast turnaround
• Data confidence
• Minimal fixturing
• Free-state measurement
• Non-destructive measurement
• Material color (even transparent, translucent, opaque) irrelevance

Additional information can be found on our website at www.zeiss.com/ct or contact Kevin Legacy, Computed Tomography & Engineering Manager at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Carl Zeiss
The Carl Zeiss Group is a leading group of companies operating worldwide in the optical and opto-electronic industries that generates revenues totaling around EUR 2.1 billion (2008/09). Carl Zeiss offers innovative solutions for the future-oriented markets of Medical and Research Solutions, Industrial Solutions and Lifestyle Products.

The Carl Zeiss Group has approximately 13,000 employees worldwide, including more than 8,000 in Germany. The Carl Zeiss business groups hold leading positions in their markets. Carl Zeiss AG, Oberkochen, is fully owned by the Carl Zeiss Stiftung (Carl Zeiss Foundation).

Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology
Carl Zeiss Industrielle Messtechnik GmbH belongs to the Industrial Metrology Group of the Carl Zeiss Group. Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology is a leading manufacturer of multidimensional metrology solutions such as coordinate measuring machines and metrology software for the automotive, aircraft, mechanical engineering and plastics industries. The company additionally offers a broad spectrum of customer services.

Carl Zeiss Industrial Metrology is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. Further sites are located in Germany, the USA and China – with a global workforce of just under 1,800 people.

Further information is available at:
www.zeiss.com and www.zeiss.com/imt