Imaging on the edge: mapping object corners and edges with stereo X-ray tomography
Imaging on the edge: mapping object corners and edges with stereo X-ray tomography
Background/objectives: X-ray computed tomography (XCT) is a powerful tool for volumetric imaging, where three-dimensional (3D) images are generated from a large number of individual X-ray projection images. However, collecting the required number of low-noise projection images is time-consuming, limiting its applicability to scenarios requiring high temporal resolution, such as the study of dynamic processes. Inspired by stereo vision, we previously developed stereo X-ray imaging methods that operate with only two X-ray projections, enabling the 3D reconstruction of point and line fiducial markers at significantly faster temporal resolutions.
Methods: building on our prior work, this paper demonstrates the use of stereo X-ray techniques for 3D reconstruction of sharp object corners, eliminating the need for internal fiducial markers. This is particularly relevant for deformation measurement of manufactured components under load. Additionally, we explore model training using synthetic data when annotated real data is unavailable.
Results: we show that the proposed method can reliably reconstruct sharp corners in 3D using only two X-ray projections. The results confirm the method’s applicability to real-world stereo X-ray images without relying on annotated real training datasets.
Conclusions: our approach enables stereo X-ray 3D reconstruction using synthetic training data that mimics key characteristics of real data, thereby expanding the method’s applicability in scenarios with limited training resources.
3D mapping, X-ray image reconstruction, feature detection
Shang, Zhenduo
42c36972-1ac7-4e01-b340-7d4e5a65230c
Blumensath, Thomas
470d9055-0373-457e-bf80-4389f8ec4ead
29 July 2025
Shang, Zhenduo
42c36972-1ac7-4e01-b340-7d4e5a65230c
Blumensath, Thomas
470d9055-0373-457e-bf80-4389f8ec4ead
Shang, Zhenduo and Blumensath, Thomas
(2025)
Imaging on the edge: mapping object corners and edges with stereo X-ray tomography.
Tomography, 11 (8), [84].
(doi:10.3390/tomography11080084).
Abstract
Background/objectives: X-ray computed tomography (XCT) is a powerful tool for volumetric imaging, where three-dimensional (3D) images are generated from a large number of individual X-ray projection images. However, collecting the required number of low-noise projection images is time-consuming, limiting its applicability to scenarios requiring high temporal resolution, such as the study of dynamic processes. Inspired by stereo vision, we previously developed stereo X-ray imaging methods that operate with only two X-ray projections, enabling the 3D reconstruction of point and line fiducial markers at significantly faster temporal resolutions.
Methods: building on our prior work, this paper demonstrates the use of stereo X-ray techniques for 3D reconstruction of sharp object corners, eliminating the need for internal fiducial markers. This is particularly relevant for deformation measurement of manufactured components under load. Additionally, we explore model training using synthetic data when annotated real data is unavailable.
Results: we show that the proposed method can reliably reconstruct sharp corners in 3D using only two X-ray projections. The results confirm the method’s applicability to real-world stereo X-ray images without relying on annotated real training datasets.
Conclusions: our approach enables stereo X-ray 3D reconstruction using synthetic training data that mimics key characteristics of real data, thereby expanding the method’s applicability in scenarios with limited training resources.
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tomography-11-00084
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Accepted/In Press date: 28 July 2025
Published date: 29 July 2025
Keywords:
3D mapping, X-ray image reconstruction, feature detection
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 504714
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/504714
ISSN: 2379-139X
PURE UUID: fd49347e-bb70-4760-9ba1-ebfdc1e2d8ab
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Date deposited: 18 Sep 2025 16:39
Last modified: 19 Sep 2025 01:44
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Author:
Zhenduo Shang
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