Critical X-Ray Energy Source and Auxiliaries for an Existing Nano Computed Tomography System

这项研究工具和仪器(RTI)提案旨在更换和升级滑铁卢大学多尺度添加剂制造(MSAM)实验室内的X射线纳米计算机断层扫描(Nano-CT)系统的故障和故障部件。纳米CT的表征能力帮助MSAM、NSERC国家战略网络“添加剂制造中的整体创新(HI-AM)”和加拿大处于从生物复合材料和聚合物到金属元素等添加制造部件的科学发现和无损检测的前沿。该Nano-CT基于行业最佳的分辨率和对比度(700 nm精度，体素大小为70 nm)提供吞吐量热像成像，能够对附加制造的部件进行高质量的无损成像，这是加拿大的一项独特功能。这种纳米CT的高分辨率及其基于同步加速器的成像技术为研究人员/合作者及其附属产业合作伙伴提供了新的机会，使他们能够超越探索，检测市场上任何其他CT扫描仪通常无法检测到的气孔和裂缝。凭借这一能力，Nano-CT已成为持续进行中的大规模AM和HI-AM研发计划的主力，这些研发计划将持续几年，包括i)用于可持续制造的整体AM工艺开发和质量保证，ii)用于关节更换的双相结构的新型AM工艺，iii)用于能源部门的电池和电极的AM(3D打印)，以及iv)用于不同行业的钛、镍基和铁合金的AM。该提案要求提供资金，以更换即将到期的系统X射线能源，并更换/升级旋转滤光轮和自动装载机的故障控制器，以确保上述方案和其他正在开发的方案能够继续下去。这项研究承诺开发关键质量保证平台，以采用AM在加拿大进行关键部件的系列化生产，以最大限度地减少对外国的依赖。这些研究项目针对的是制造业的可持续性，这对许多加拿大公司来说是一个关键因素，这些公司正在认真致力于减少废物，通过整合AM和数字化来提高运营效率，以履行其环境和社会义务。启动的项目和培训的HQP的产出将通过解决与供应链有关的问题而对加拿大经济作出重大贡献。

This Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) proposal aims to replace, and upgrade failed and failing components of an X-Ray Nano Computed Tomography (Nano-CT) system housed within University of Waterloo's Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing (MSAM) Laboratory. Nano-CT characterization capability has helped place MSAM, the NSERC National Strategic Network "Holistic Innovation in Additive Manufacturing (HI-AM)", and Canada at the forefront of scientific discovery and non-destructive testing of additively manufactured components, from bio-composites and polymers to metallic elements. This Nano-CT provides throughput thermographic imaging based on industry-best resolution and contrast (700 nm precision with a 70 nm voxel size), enabling high quality non-destructive imaging of additively manufactured parts - a unique capability in Canada. The high resolution of this Nano-CT and its synchrotron-based imaging techniques have opened new opportunities for researchers/collaborators and affiliated industrial partners to move beyond exploration and detect pores and cracks that are not normally detectable by any other CT scanner on the market. With this capability, the Nano-CT has become a workhorse for large-scale, ongoing MSAM and HI-AM R&D programs that will extend through the next several years, including i) Holistic AM process development and quality assurance for sustainable manufacturing, ii) Novel AM processes for biphasic structures for joint replacements, iii) AM (3D Printing) of batteries and electrodes for the energy sector; and iv) AM of titanium, nickel-based and ferrous alloys for various industries. This proposal requests funds to replace the system's X-ray energy source, which will imminently expire, and replace/upgrade malfunctioning controllers of the rotational filter wheel and autoloader to ensure the above programs, and others under development, can continue. This research promises to develop critical quality assurance platforms that are needed for adoption of AM to serial production of critical components in Canada to minimize dependencies on foreign countries. The research programs address manufacturing sustainability that is a crucial factor for many Canadian companies that are seriously working on the waste reduction, efficiency improvement of operations through the integration of AM and digitization to comply with their environmental and social obligations. The outputs of the enabled projects and the HQP trained will contribute significantly to the Canadian economy by addressing issues associated with the supply chain.