Laser-Based Ultrasonic Tomographic Imaging of Powder Metal Compacts.

A new laser excitation system is used to obtain the cross-sectional tomographic images of density gradients of power metal compacts in the P/M industry. An equiangular fan data collection pattern is exploited for image reconstruction of cylindrical compacts. This new system makes the data collection process non-contact, makes real-time monitoring possible, and also increases the full resolution area of the reconstructed images up to the outer edge of the compacts. © 2004 American Institute of Physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]