Measuring the "Unmeasurable": High-Speed CT for Ultra-Soft Silicone Components

When it comes to soft-touch silicone components—such as medical valves, bellows, or delicate seals—traditional metrology reaches its physical limits. These materials are so sensitive that the mere act of measuring them can change the result.

The Problem with Contact and Optical Systems

If you are working with low-shore hardness silicone, you likely face these three obstacles:

1. Deformation via Contact: Touch probes, even with the lowest triggering force, physically displace the surface of the silicone. This leads to “unreliable measurements” because the tool deforms the very feature it is trying to measure.

2. The Optical Failure: Many silicone types are either translucent, pitch black, or highly reflective. Optical systems and laser scanners often struggle with light penetration or scattering, requiring messy developers or sprays that can contaminate the part.

3. Handling Sensitivity: Just picking up a delicate silicone part to place it on a fixture can cause it to sag or stretch, losing its nominal shape before the measurement even begins.

COREX: Non-Contact, Non-Optical, Non-Destructive

COREX solves these challenges by utilizing Density-Based Imaging. Because X-rays pass through the material based on its atomic density rather than its surface properties:

• Zero Deformation: There is absolutely no physical contact. The part remains in its natural state throughout the entire process.

• Surface-Indifferent: Whether the silicone is clear, matte, or glossy, COREX “sees” the density clearly, providing a perfect 3D reconstruction every time.

• Measurement through Packaging: One of the most powerful features of COREX is the ability to measure components while they are inside a blister pack or pre-assembled onto other parts. This eliminates handling errors and ensures the part is inspected in its final functional environment.