Automated 3D-CT Inspection Targets High-Throughput Battery Quality
Xnovo Technology ApS, a pioneer in advanced X-ray imaging and AI-based inspection solutions, has announced the successful deployment of its automated inspection tool for 3D Computed Tomography (3D-CT) data at the BMW Group’s Cell Manufacturing Competence Centre (CMCC) in Parsdorf, Germany. The solution enables reliable, high-throughput quality assurance of battery cells directly on the production floor.
From Laboratory to Production Line
3D-CT has long been a leading method for non-destructive inspection, providing detailed access into the internal structure of components. Bringing 3D-CT into a 24/7 industrial production environment is much more demanding: laboratory scans can take hours, while production scans must be completed within seconds. Faster scans lead to more noise, CT artifacts, and lower contrast, which makes conventional inspection workflows less reliable.
Tailored Solution for BMW Group
The solution deployed at the BMW Group’s CMCC was developed by Xnovo Technology in close alignment with the BMW Group’s engineering teams. Furthermore, the BMW Group’s own analysis methods have been integrated directly into the inspection pipeline. This ensures that the solution is aligned with the BMW Group’s internal quality standards and production workflows.
The solution covers the full inspection workflow. It starts with automated image pre-processing, including beam-hardening correction, volume alignment, and battery component segmentation. It then performs deep learning-based analysis using Xnovo’s proprietary anomaly detection, generates automated reports, and connects with factory data systems through OPC UA and Q-DAS interfaces. Operators get real-time visibility into production quality, while the distributed architecture allows the system to scale with production throughput.
“We are delighted with the outcome of this joint project and would like to thank Xnovo Technology for the close and constructive collaboration throughout its development. By combining the BMW Group’s expertise in battery production and quality assurance with Xnovo’s strengths in advanced image processing and AI, we have realized a solution that brings automated 3D-CT inspection to production scale. We believe this achievement represents a significant step forward for the industry and establishes a new benchmark for battery inspection software” said Dr. Stefan Kerscher, Head of Battery Cell Technology Development.
“Deploying 3D-CT at production speed is one of the hardest problems in industrial quality assurance. The combination of fast scanning, AI-based analysis, and direct integration with the BMW Group’s own processes represents a genuine step forward for the industry,” said Dr. Sven Gondrom-Linke, Senior Product Manager at Xnovo Technology.
“We are proud of the battery inspection solution we have developed and deployed, and of the partnership with the BMW Group that shaped it around production requirements. This demonstrates that automated, AI-powered 3D-CT inspection is no longer a laboratory concept, but a production reality” said Dr. Christian Holzner, Managing Director at Xnovo Technology.
For more information: www.xnovotech.com
Note: Above image is AI generated and not representative of actual installation at BMW
