Start-up launches with industrial computed tomography

t-exact GmbH, based in Schmalkalden, Thuringia, offers 3D measurement and analysis services. The company uses the exaCT U computer tomograph from WENZEL for computed tomography (CT) analysis, particularly for applications in the plastics industry. This includes the contract measurement of components made of materials such as rubber or silicones, which are difficult to sample using conventional metrology . t-exact GmbH can draw on extensive experience, as this technology has been in use at its parent company, Hehnke GmbH & Co. KG from Steinbach-Hallenberg, has been using this technology since 2012.

Hehnke has been producing precision plastic components for the automotive industry for 23 years and now has more than 120 employees. One of the company's core technologies is the production of hybrid components made of plastic and metal. "The demands on components are increasing enormously. Especially with regard to one of the megatrends in the automotive sector, autonomous driving, the reliability of mechanical components is playing an increasingly decisive role. Analyzing these components using CT is a decisive competitive advantage," explains company boss Tommy Hehnke.

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"We were aware of the importance of this technology for our customers, but it would have been foolhardy to purchase such a cost-intensive device back in 2012. That's why we first purchased the point clouds and then analyzed them in-house using the appropriate software," explains Torsten Herrmann, CEO at Hehnke and managing partner of t-exact GmbH.

"Our customers quickly recognized the benefits of this measurement technology, especially the time savings in measurement tasks, the non-destructive measurement and the possibilities of analyzing structures in the component. Acceptance increased and so we decided to set up a new service company in 2017 and invested in one of the latest and most modern tomographs from the manufacturer WENZEL," explains Tommy Hehnke, partner at Hehnke GmbH & Co. KG and Managing Director at t-exact.

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The young start-up company chose WENZEL as its partner in the field of computed tomography and coordinate measuring technology after a rigorous selection process. With the powerful exaCT U from WENZEL , the company is able to offer professional 3D measurement and analysis services using computed tomography. The possibility of non-destructive testing offers customers enormous time savings compared to other analysis and measurement methods. With the exaCT U, plastic components, structural and hybrid components as well as cast components or organic and mineral materials can be measured and tested without contact. This also applies to the measurement of elastic, transparent and soft components.

"In the meantime, an increasing number of our customers are accepting the re-qualification required by IATF 16949 by means of CT comparison measurements between the approved initial sample part and the component just produced. This procedure brings the practical feasibility of the standard requirement into the realm of the economically possible," explains Torsten Herrmann.

In addition to the possibilities of CT analysis, t-exact also offers the service of tactile measurement. "Tomography is not useful everywhere, this procedure cannot be used everywhere, so we also offer the possibilities of traditional measurement techniques," explains Tommy Hehnke.

"With the advantages offered by the exaCT U computed tomograph from WENZEL , we have already been able to convince and inspire many customers."

Daniel König, Operations Manager at t-exact

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