An hourglass-shaped digital twin framework for industrial computed tomography

Industrial computed tomography (ICT) is one of the most advanced non-destructive testing, evaluation and characterization techniques, used for revealing internal structures, analyzing material compositions, and identifying defects within objects. However, in practical engineering applications, it has encountered challenges such as complex operation procedures and parameter settings, high costs, as well as artifacts and measurement errors. Digital twin (DT), by creating a virtual environment that closely mirrors and interacts with the physical space, offers an innovative solution to these challenges. In this paper, an hourglass-shaped DT framework for ICT is presented. By establishing both static and dynamic connections between the physical and virtual spaces, the ICT system is twinned across three dimensions: entities, behaviors, and data. This integration enables the applications and functions layer to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the ICT process. The implementation of the DT framework within the ICT system is explained in detail, and a case study of a workpiece’s ICT inspection process is used to validate its feasibility and effectiveness. This work has been helpful in advancing the digitization of the industrial inspection field under Industry 4.0.