Hidden internal defects
Cracks, inclusions, voids or delamination that surface inspection cannot reveal.
Detect before failure or delivery.INSPECTION SERVICES · X-RAY / CT
See inside. Decide with evidence.
Non-destructive industrial inspection to understand defects, assembly, geometry and materials without cutting the part — with expert analysis and a report designed for decision-making.
No part destruction130–450 kVDecision-ready report
2D X-RAY · 3D CT · METROLOGYNM3D SERVICES
From problem to the right solution
We have organised our services by the outcome the customer needs, while preserving direct access to each speciality.
X-ray & CT inspectionSee beyond the surface
3D scanning & reverse engineeringFrom object to digital model
CMM dimensional metrologyTraceable geometry
Large-volume 3D measurementAccuracy where the part is
Optical & vision inspectionFast, repeatable control
Offline programming & metrologyLess downtime, more capacity
Prototyping & 3D printingFrom idea to part
Additive manufacturing for healthcareClinical workflows and certified materials
Maintenance & calibrationPerformance and traceability
Specialist technical supportExpert help when you need itWHEN TO USE CT
When what matters cannot be seen
We do not simply sell machine time. We start with the technical question and select the acquisition and analysis needed to reach a usable answer.
Unquantified porosity
You need to know the volume, shape, distribution and location of voids.
3D data to validate process and material.Assemblies that cannot be opened
Displaced components, incomplete contacts or missing elements inside an assembly.
Confirm assembly without disassembly.Electronics and battery failures
Solder joints, vias, connectors, cells and encapsulation require detailed internal inspection.
Locate the cause and accelerate decisions.Geometry outside CAD
Internal and external dimensional deviations can affect fit, function and performance.
CAD-to-part comparison and CT metrology.Unknown failure cause
When a part fails, symptoms must be separated from root cause without losing evidence.
Objective evidence to correct and prevent.WHAT WE CAN ANALYSE
From image to measurable information
With 130 to 450 kV CT systems and specialist software, we adapt resolution, energy and method to the material, part size and target defect.
Porosity, voids & inclusions
3D segmentation and quantification by volume, size, shape and location.
CT metrology & CAD comparison
Deviation maps, internal and external dimensions, and conformity validation.
Assembly & component position
Non-destructive inspection of interfaces, alignment, contacts and internal elements.
Electronics, soldering & connectors
Analysis of BGA, PCB, vias, underfill, encapsulation and connection defects.
CT AND X-RAY INSPECTION EXAMPLES
See the evidence the technology can reveal
Each example represents a different industrial question: locate a defect, quantify porosity, validate an assembly, compare with CAD or understand a failure.
CT 3DCastings and automotive components
Detection of pores, inclusions, cracks and wall-thickness deviations without cutting the part.
450 kVAerospace and dense materials
Internal analysis of blades, structures and critical components with high penetration capability.
ENERGIABatteries, cells and modules
Verification of electrodes, welds, alignment, deformation and assembly defects.
AMAdditive manufacturing and internal channels
Verification of channels, powder removal, porosity, inclusions and geometry inaccessible to contact measurement.
RX 2DBGA, solder joints and electronics
Assessment of voids, bridges, insufficient solder, misalignment and hidden joints beneath components.
RECONSTRUCTIONReconstruction and artefact reduction
Specialist processing to recover contrast, reduce scatter and make defects interpretable.
SÉRIEPCB batches and repeatability
Repeatable inspection recipes for comparing multiple parts and documenting acceptance criteria.
SCANTall, wide or difficult parts
Helical, offset and panel-extension acquisitions help cover larger geometries with fewer artefacts.
POROSITYPorosity quantification
Measurement of internal pore volume, size and distribution to validate casting, process parameters and acceptance criteria.
Note: images are representative of the capabilities. Resolution, contrast and observable defects depend on material, thickness, size and part geometry.
THE VALUE OF A PARTNER
A technical answer, not just a 3D volume
NM3D combines equipment, software and application experience. We help define the test, interpret the result and turn data into a decision about quality, process, design or failure.
Method matched to the question
We do not apply the same recipe to every part.
Application specialists
Acquisition and interpretation are backed by industrial experience.
Clear, traceable result
Images, measurements, criteria, conclusions and documented limitations.
Continuity through to solution
We can support validation, process improvement and future in-house capability.
HOW WE WORK
A simple process, from question to decision
Project detail is adjusted to criticality, timing and the level of evidence required.
Technical scoping
Part, material, size, critical area and the decision you need to make.
Inspection plan
We select energy, resolution, geometry, preparation and analysis criteria.
Acquisition & analysis
2D X-ray or 3D CT, reconstruction, segmentation, measurement and expert interpretation.
Report & decision
We deliver visual evidence, results, conclusions and a technical discussion of next steps.
SECTORS & APPLICATIONS
From electronics to large components
Automotive, aerospace, additive manufacturing, electronics, batteries, medical devices, composites, research, geoscience and heritage.
AutomotiveAerospaceElectronics & PCBBatteriesAdditive manufacturingMedical devicesCompositesResearchGeoscience & heritage
THE RIGHT TECHNIQUE FOR EACH QUESTION
2D X-ray or 3D computed tomography?
Some questions can be answered with a radiograph. Others require exploring the inside in any plane. NM3D helps select the method before work begins.
2D X-RAY · DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY
Locate and check
A projection shows X-ray attenuation through the part. It helps check selected areas, connections, and the presence or position of components.
- Inspection of solder joints, BGAs and electronic assemblies.
- Assembly screening and comparison across parts.
- Overlapping features may require other viewing angles or CT.
Output: radiographs and observations for the agreed regions.
3D CT · INDUSTRIAL COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY
Explore, measure and quantify
Multiple projections are reconstructed into a digital volume. Virtual slices reveal internal geometry, separate components and inspect inaccessible areas without opening the assembly.
- Three-dimensional defect location and porosity analysis.
- Internal measurements, wall thickness and CAD comparison.
- The acquisition plan depends on material, size and objective.
Output: reconstructed volume, slices and analyses defined in the inspection plan.
APPLICATIONS IN DETAIL
One technology. Different industrial questions.
From product development to failure investigation, we start with the information your team needs. These examples show different ways to explore a CT volume.
01
Castings and automotive
Are there pores near a functional area?
Inspect blocks, housings and castings to locate voids and inclusions, assess wall thickness and relate defects to sealing or machined areas.
Decision support: defect location, size and distribution in the analysed regions.
02
Batteries and electric mobility
Are the internal elements positioned as intended?
Observe the internal arrangement of cells and assemblies, alignment, deformation and interfaces. Assessment is tailored to the battery format and area of interest.
Decision support: oriented slices and a record of the agreed features.
03
Electronics and hidden connections
Where is the connection discontinuity?
Examine PCBs, packages and solder joints without removing components. Explore voids, bridging, positioning and interfaces beyond visual inspection.
Decision support: localised evidence to support failure analysis and process improvement.
04
Aerospace and internal channels
Does the internal geometry match the design?
Explore cooling channels, cavities and transitions in complex components. Locate areas of interest before more specific measurement or analysis.
Decision support: internal visualisation and evaluation of the features selected in the plan.
05
Devices and precision assemblies
How do components fit together inside the assembly?
Inspect mechanisms, polymer parts and small assemblies. Virtual slices help understand fits, clearances, wall thickness and the relative position of elements.
Decision support: assembly documentation and comparison of functional areas.
06
Research, materials and heritage
What is inside without altering the sample?
Study natural structures, samples and objects whose integrity needs preserving. CT provides a volumetric record for observation, comparison and documentation.
Decision support: slices, visualisations and data prepared for the study objective.
Technical visualisations: Nikon Metrology. Examples of CT technology applications.
MORE WAYS TO USE THE DATA
A CT volume can answer several questions.
We plan the analysis to make use of the acquired data and focus the report on the specific part or process problem.
Wall thickness and channels
Map thin walls, excess material and internal channel sections. Useful for moulded, cast or additively manufactured parts.
Reverse engineering
Extract internal and external surfaces to create a 3D mesh. Rebuilding editable CAD is a separate task, defined according to the objective.
Part-to-part comparison
Compare a suspect part with a reference or different design iterations. Identify differences in shape, position and structure in the agreed regions.
Samples and batches
Define sampling, features to inspect and the record format before analysing multiple parts. Acceptance criteria are agreed with the customer.
DELIVERABLES AND REQUEST PREPARATION
Receive information your team can use.
Deliverables are defined before inspection, so you know which questions will be assessed, which files are planned and how results will be presented.
Images and slices
Oriented and labelled views of critical areas so your team can identify what was observed.
Quantitative results
Dimensions, wall thickness, volumes or deviations, according to the commissioned analyses and regions.
Data to explore
Volume, mesh or other agreed files. Format, viewer and usage requirements are defined for the project.
Technical report
Sample identification, scope, method, results and observations relevant to your team’s decision.
What should you send for a quotation?
Start with the part and the technical question. NM3D scopes the work with your team in Portugal or Spain before samples are shipped.
- Photographs, material and approximate dimensions.
- Number of parts and area to inspect.
- Target defect, or relevant dimensions and tolerances.
- Drawing or CAD, if available, and required timing.
- Special handling or confidentiality requirements.
FREQUENT TECHNICAL QUESTIONS
Prepare the inspection with the right criteria.
Good analysis starts by defining what you need to observe, measure or compare.
What resolution do I need to find my defect?
It depends on defect size, orientation and contrast, as well as the material and geometry. Voxel size alone does not guarantee detection. We define the inspection objective before selecting the acquisition.
Is voxel resolution the same as measurement accuracy?
No. Measurement also depends on acquisition, reconstruction, surface determination, alignment and evaluation conditions. Metrological requirements should be discussed using the drawing and tolerances.
Can you inspect a very thick metal part?
With the material, dimensions and region of interest, we can assess penetration and the required image quality. The traversed thickness and the presence of different materials affect the result.
Do I need to provide CAD?
Not for every analysis. Defects and assembly may be assessed without CAD. For design comparison, the nominal model and drawing with datums and tolerances help define the analysis.
Can an image determine whether a part conforms?
The decision requires acceptance criteria: what to measure, in which region and against which limits. These may come from the drawing, customer specification or agreed inspection plan.
How much does it cost and how long does it take?
The quotation considers the part, quantity, acquisition, analyses and deliverables. Timing is confirmed after technical scoping and an availability check. Start by sending photographs and the question to resolve.
FAQ
Before sending the part
A photograph, approximate dimensions, material and the problem you want to solve are usually enough to get started.
Will inspection damage the part?
No. X-ray and CT are non-destructive methods. Specific preparation or fixturing may sometimes be recommended.
What information should I send?
Material, dimensions, quantity, area of interest, suspected defect, CAD file if available, and required timing.
Will I only receive images?
No. Deliverables are defined with the customer and may include a 3D volume, segmentation, measurements, CAD comparison, images and technical report.
Can you handle urgent work?
We assess priority, complexity and availability as soon as we receive the part information.
Inspection feasibility, resolution and scope depend on material, geometry, dimensions and test objective.
Do you have a part or problem to analyse?
We support projects in Portugal and Spain. Send us a photograph, material, dimensions and the technical question. We will help define the next step.