CoreX ONE brings rapid CT inspection closer to the production line

A component may appear flawless on the outside while concealing porosity, cavities or dimensional deviations that could affect its performance. Detecting these problems traditionally involves laboratory inspection, destructive sectioning or lengthy scanning procedures—often after more parts have already moved through production.

CoreX ONE from Ready Metrology is designed to close this gap. By completing CT acquisition, reconstruction and 3D visualisation in approximately 30–40 seconds, the compact system brings non-destructive internal inspection closer to the production line. This allows measurement data to support timely process adjustments rather than simply document defects after production.

Introduced at Elmia 2025 in Jönköping, Sweden, the self-shielded system is intended for routine use by production personnel rather than dedicated CT specialists.

Turning inspection data into faster decisions

In high-volume manufacturing, the value of inspection depends not only on measurement accuracy but also on how quickly the results reach the production team. When inspection takes 20 or 30 minutes, many additional components may already have been produced before a process deviation is identified.

CoreX ONE reportedly completes image acquisition, reconstruction and 3D visualisation in approximately 30–40 seconds, depending on the application. This shorter cycle enables manufacturers to incorporate CT data into regular process monitoring rather than reserve the technology for laboratory investigations or occasional failure analysis.

Positioning the system near the production line allows manufacturers to inspect a component, identify dimensional changes or internal defects and adjust the process before significant scrap accumulates. This capability can be particularly useful during production start-up, shift changes, tooling adjustments and the introduction of a new batch.

Rotating-anode source supports shorter scan cycles

CoreX ONE uses a rotating-anode X-ray source based on technology commonly employed in medical CT equipment. Unlike a fixed-anode source, which concentrates heat on one location, the rotating design distributes heat across a disc.

According to Ready Metrology, the source can deliver up to 2,400 W of power, compared with approximately 60–90 W for conventional fixed-anode systems. The higher output supports faster image acquisition while reducing the thermal load concentrated on a single point.

The company also states that the source requires no routine maintenance and can achieve an operating life up to five times longer than a conventional fixed-anode source. In addition to supporting faster inspection, these characteristics may improve machine availability and reduce maintenance requirements and total cost of ownership.

Simplifying CT operation on the shop floor

Moving metrology equipment into production requires more than a compact design. The system must also be accessible to operators who may not have specialist knowledge of X-ray settings, filters, focal points or reconstruction parameters.

CoreX ONE is preconfigured for specific combinations of materials and component sizes. The operator loads the part through a top-opening door and starts the inspection using a button beside the loading area. Predetermined parameters are then applied without requiring a separate setup procedure.

The top-loading configuration reduces the machine’s footprint and simplifies component handling. As a self-shielded system, CoreX ONE does not require a radiation bunker, dedicated inspection room or additional external shielding, allowing it to be installed close to the production process.

Its large-pixel detector prioritises acquisition speed and signal-to-noise performance over the sub-micrometre resolution required for highly specialised laboratory work. The system is therefore positioned not as a replacement for every laboratory CT instrument, but as a practical option for repeatable, high-speed production inspection.

Dimensional and internal inspection in one cycle

The standard CoreX ONE configuration accommodates parts ranging from 5 mm to 140 mm, with other versions available for larger or smaller components. Target applications include components made from aluminium, plastics, carbon fibre, glass, titanium and other light alloys.

The system can measure features such as wall thicknesses, internal diameters, angles, radii and distances. It can also examine the complete internal volume of a component for porosity, cavities and structural discontinuities.

This combination is relevant to manufacturers of cast, moulded, extruded, composite or additively manufactured parts. A dimensional inspection may confirm that a component meets its geometric specifications, while volumetric analysis can reveal hidden defects that could compromise its strength, sealing performance or service life.

Unlike destructive testing, CT does not require a sample to be cut or otherwise altered. It also avoids the possibility of missing defects located outside the selected cross-section, as the entire component can be examined in three dimensions.

Supporting statistical process control

CoreX ONE’s software presents critical measurements through a histogram incorporating statistical process control functions. Instead of showing only whether an individual component passes or fails, the system allows operators to monitor measurement trends across a series of parts.

This distinction is important in production metrology. A single non-conforming result may be an isolated incident, while a gradual movement towards a tolerance limit can indicate tool wear, temperature variation, material inconsistency or another developing process problem.

Identifying these trends early gives manufacturers an opportunity to intervene before the process produces a large quantity of defective parts. Measurement reports can also be generated and stored to support traceability, customer documentation and production changeovers.

For volumetric inspection, the 3D software automatically detects and classifies internal defects according to size. This can help standardise defect evaluation and reduce reliance on subjective visual interpretation.

Expanding the role of industrial CT

Ready Metrology is positioning CoreX ONE for applications in which industrial CT may previously have been considered too costly or complex. These include aluminium extrusions, plastic profiles and rubber seals, which are often inspected using profile projectors after samples have been cut and carefully prepared.

Automating these measurements without sample preparation could reduce inspection time and operator dependency while providing information about the complete internal condition of the component.

The broader significance of systems such as CoreX ONE lies in the changing role of metrology. Instead of functioning mainly as a final check that separates acceptable products from rejects, inspection can become an active source of production data.

When measurement results are available within the manufacturing cycle, they can help companies control processes, reduce waste and prevent defects—not merely document them after production has been completed.

Ready Metrology develops metrology systems for production environments. Its portfolio includes the CoreX range of industrial CT equipment and RUN, a coordinate measuring machine designed for shop-floor applications.