Cross Sectional Scanning (CSS) is an automated process that produces ultra-dense point clouds that capture every aspect of your part. This is how we do it.

Pre-Process
The CGI 3D scanning process begins with "potting" of the part. A slow curing material, Encase-It^TM, is poured over and into the part. Once cured, the encased part is mounted on the platform of a CGI Cross Sectional Scanning machine. Then, user-friendly scanning software defines the scan window, starting height, and slice thickness, which can be as thin as 0.0005 inches. With a few clicks, the machine is ready to run.

Process
The rest of the process is automatic - the system runs unattended. Using an industrial fly cutter, an ultra-thin layer is carefully milled away, and the scanning system accurately captures each newly exposed 2D profile. The milling and imaging process is repeated until the encased part is fully consumed and there is a complete collection of 2D images.

Post-Process
The final step is conversion of the 2D images into a 3D point cloud. Using edge detection algorithms and user-defined sampling rates, each image is converted into points. The points are then combined to create the 3D point cloud.

Obtain CGI's DVD showing Cross-Sectional Scanning in action.
If you have found that it is the solution needed for a current project, contact CGI or submit our Quick Quote Service form.

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Watch Video

User selects CSS options and starts the automated process.

Fly cutter exposes new layer, and camera captures internal and external features.

Scanned images of cross-sections are displayed after capture.



Post-processing yields an ultra-dense point cloud with every part feature.