With version 2025.1, Hexagon is expanding the software suite of its subsidiary Volume Graphics with the new VGTRAINER application. The aim is to make the automated evaluation of CT data in additive manufacturing more accessible through machine learning. The software is also explicitly aimed at users without in-depth AI knowledge, for example in R&D departments or inline inspection processes.
“This complete integration of VG software into Hexagon’s metrology software portfolio gives engineers and inspection personnel the ability to use computed tomography (CT) to see deeply and non-destructively into their materials—and then benefit from additional product-development tools that support further quality insights and assessment,” says Dr. Daniela Handl, General Manager, VG, Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence.
“The inclusion of Volume Graphics’ legacy capabilities into the Hexagon eco-system delivers a complete suite of product-development capabilities,” says Handl. “These span design, simulation, testing, material selection, manufacturing-design planning, production, and inspection, through the complete value chain to end-of-life assessments of final product performance.”
VGTRAINER allows you to train your own models for segmenting CT data by manually labeling selected data sets and then using them for model training. These models can then be imported directly into VGSTUDIO MAX and used there for the automated analysis of complex or noisy CT data. This speeds up quality assurance in series production in particular.
“Hexagon’s VGTRAINER offers enhanced AI and machine learning capabilities that enable users to custom-train inspection models of proprietary parts, leading to much faster final inspection processes”, says Hexagon customer Dr. Peter Mikitisin, Founder and Owner of iWP, an accredited materials testing laboratory. “There is an up-front time investment in labeling quality data sets, and training models to spot failure modes. But that automation step radically saves manufacturers time on the production line. The AI approach quickly and automatically finds designated Regions of Interest (ROIs), segments them correctly, and visualizes results. If normal manual inspection analysis takes one or two minutes, for example, a VG analysis of ROIs will take just three or four seconds. That is a major advancement for concurrently producing and inspecting parts on the production line in real-time.”
“We anticipate that the time savings of more than 80% that AI is delivering will help us improve customer satisfaction across a broader range of industries as we leverage our evolving capabilities,” says Julien Uzanu, NDT Expert, ELEMCA.
Alongside the new software release, the Volume Graphics brand will be fully integrated into the Hexagon portfolio. Although established product names such as VGSTUDIO MAX and VGinLINE will remain, the visual reorientation will include an adapted logo and updated icons. In the long term, the integration should also enable the processing of other NDT data sources via the Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence platform.
With VGTRAINER, a tool is now available that makes the use of artificial intelligence in non-destructive testing practical.
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