Burloak Technologies approved by Boeing to inspect 3D printed aluminium parts

Burloak Technologies has been approved by The Boeing Company to inspect additively manufactured (AM) aluminium alloy components to Boeing’s BSS7046 specification using X-Ray Computed Tomography (CT).

This inspection qualification comes two years after Burloak was approved to additively manufacture aluminium AlSi10Mg components to the Boeing BAC5673 specification.

The BSS7046 qualification follows a rigorous evaluation of Burloak’s Computed Tomography (CT) system, which is equipped with a 300kV microfocus and a 180kV nanofocus tube. The qualification process is said to have involved a stringent examination of the technical proficiency of the operators, as well as the associated laboratory processes and documentation.

With the completion of this qualification, Burloak Technologies has said it will be moving forward to expand the scope of its Computed Tomography capabilities to include titanium alloys. This will be accompanied by Burloak’s mission to continuously push the industry forward by improving on its already rigorous processes.

“This announcement is indicative of our growing ability to support Boeing with leading-edge, high-quality manufacturing solutions,” commented Jason Ball, Vice President & General Manager of Burloak Technologies. “As an additive manufacturing company, we are committed to delivering only high caliber, reliable products. CT scanning is an indispensable tool that allows us to inspect and analyse 3D printed components with unparalleled accuracy, ensuring that our customers receive products that are of the utmost quality.”

While this qualification is specific to Boeing, Burloak has included Computed Tomography in its ISO17025 scope, therefore making it commercially available to any industry.

On the company's website, Burloak says of its CT technology: 'Our powerful CT machine is used for 3D metrology and analysis with Scatter/Correct technology to automatically remove scatter artefacts for higher image quality with high-speed scan. The scanner offers beyond down to < 1µm detail detectability, which gives us the opportunity to collaborate in industrial process control and scientific research application.'