Computerized tomography, more commonly known as CT scans, or X-ray computed tomography, is a specialized imaging process that makes use of computer-processed combinations of several X-ray images, taken from various different angles, in order to produce a cross-sectional (tomographic) image of an object. The reason this is so revolutionary is that this allows users to see inside an object without cutting into it. Non-invasive excavations of objects and the ability to see how something works in motion without destroying any of it’s properties are just some of the benefits of this technique.

Ct scanning is so versatile that it is used in several different fields. Most commonly, it is used in medicine to provide a more comprehensive imaging process, which is helpful in diagnoses and therapeutic purposes. The very first CT scanners were in use in between 1974 and 1976, with the original systems designed exclusively for head imaging only. Whole body systems became available in 1976, and CT in general came into wide use by 1980. There are about 6,000 CT scanners in the U.S. now, and about 30,000 worldwide.

But there is another common application of CT scanning — industrial scanning. Industrial x-ray equipment can be used for many purposes, but is mostly important for various inspections and the development of prototypes. Indeed, consider this: with the industrial CT scanning process, customers are able to reduce their new product inspection costs and failure analysis by 25-75%, as compared to what is available with the existing protocols.

Many of the industrial companies utilizing these processes are developing medical equipment or are involved in industries that could have serious health and safety repercussions if not done in an entirely controlled manner, which is where industrial CT scanning comes in. Indeed, the sheer volume of data that CT scanning produces opens up the technology to fields such as reverse engineering, since a very accurate replica of a prototype or product can be gotten from the data.

There is no doubt that computerized tomography has changed the world — in both the medical and industrial landscapes. X-ray inspection has allowed for truly non-invasive techniques.