i3D Inline

Local material data moves closer to production, QA and critical component zones - instead of arriving late in the laboratory process. With the i3D® Inline solution, the Imprint Test according to DIN SPEC 4864 / ASTM E3499 is seamlessly integrated into production-near quality assurance (QA). The test module is fully automatable and can be flexibly integrated into existing production and inspection lines – either via connection to a six-axis robot or as part of the FOERSTER NDT-COMBICELL. This enables direct access to local yield strength Rᶦₚ₀,₂, tensile strength Rᶦₘ, and stress-strain curves on the real component within the production environment. Inline QA with i3D® is particularly relevant for additive manufacturing. For 3D-printed components, process data, geometric defects, and local mechanical properties collectively determine the actual component quality.

By combining indentation testing with complementary inspection methods such as high-resolution process monitoring or µCT analysis, a multi-stage quality profile is created that integrates local mechanical properties and defect information within the same inspection context. As a result, local deviations become visible at an earlier stage in the process and can be fed back more quickly into release decisions, process adjustments, or serial production decisions. Typical application areas include aerospace, automotive, and medical technology – wherever mechanical reliability and cost efficiency must be ensured simultaneously in series production and release environments.