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MUMMERING · Project

Open-Source 3D Imaging Software That Turns Terabytes of Scan Data into Usable Engineering Insight

manufacturingPrototypeTRL 4
mummering.eu

Imagine you X-ray a metal part from every angle and get millions of images — but you're drowning in data and can't actually see what's wrong inside. MUMMERING built open-source software that takes those massive 3D scans, stitches them together, and highlights defects or structural features automatically. Think of it like going from a pile of unsorted photos to a fully labelled 3D movie of what's happening inside your material. The tools handle everything from raw scan data to final analysis, even when datasets hit terabyte scale.

By the numbers
15
Early stage researchers trained in 3D imaging
26
Partners in the consortium
11
Countries represented
12
Industry partners involved
7
SMEs in the network
46
Total deliverables produced
46%
Industry partner ratio in consortium
The business problem

What needed solving

Manufacturers and materials labs are generating terabytes of 3D imaging data from CT scanners, electron microscopes, and synchrotron facilities — but most of that data goes underused because existing tools can't handle the volume or complexity. Companies either spend excessive time on manual analysis or simply leave valuable scan data unprocessed, missing defects and insights that could prevent costly failures.

The solution

What was built

The project delivered an open-source platform covering the full 3D imaging pipeline: fast reconstruction and alignment code, prototype segmentation software (both voxel-based and mesh-based with physical priors), a Big Data platform for terabyte-scale datasets, a workflow engine connecting all steps, and tools for simulating data from physical models. Training materials were produced for both the platform and workflow.

Audience

Who needs this

CT scanning service providers struggling with data processing bottlenecksAerospace and automotive quality control departments using X-ray tomographyMaterials science R&D labs analyzing metal, composite, or ceramic microstructuresNon-destructive testing companies dealing with limited-angle scanning scenariosResearch facilities operating synchrotron or electron microscopy beamlines
Business applications

Who can put this to work

Aerospace & Automotive Manufacturing
enterprise
Target: Metal parts manufacturers using CT scanning for quality control

If you are an aerospace or automotive parts maker struggling to process terabytes of CT scan data from your production line — this project developed prototype software for 3D segmentation with physical priors and fast reconstruction code that can turn raw tomography data into actionable defect maps. With 12 industry partners involved in development, the tools were built with real manufacturing workflows in mind.

Advanced Materials & Metallurgy
mid-size
Target: Materials testing labs and R&D departments

If you run a materials testing lab where analysts spend days manually segmenting 3D scans of alloys or composites — MUMMERING created methods for obtaining reproducible segmentations and assessing their statistical confidence. The open-source platform covers the complete workflow from data acquisition through reconstruction to physical modelling, replacing fragmented proprietary tools.

Industrial Inspection & Non-Destructive Testing
SME
Target: NDT service companies using X-ray or synchrotron imaging

If you are an NDT service provider dealing with limited-angle scanning scenarios where full rotation isn't possible — this project delivered specific software for limited angle projection data in 3D and fast image alignment code. The Big Data platform handles datasets scaling toward petabytes, which is where the industry is heading with faster acquisition systems.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would it cost to adopt these tools?

The platform was built as open access, open source software. There are no licensing fees for the core tools. Your costs would be integration effort, hardware for high-performance computing, and staff training — training materials for both the Big Data platform and the workflow were delivered as part of the project.

Can these tools handle industrial-scale data volumes?

Yes, that was a core design goal. The project explicitly addresses terabyte-scale 3D datasets and was designed to scale to the petabyte regime as acquisition speeds increase. A dedicated Big Data platform was built to handle these volumes transparently.

What about IP and licensing?

The project committed to open access and open source from the start. The software tools, including reconstruction code, segmentation prototypes, and the workflow platform, are intended for open distribution. Specific licensing terms should be confirmed with Danmarks Tekniske Universitet as coordinator.

Does this work with our existing scanning equipment?

The platform was designed to handle multiple imaging modalities including electron microscopy, synchrotron radiation, and X-ray CT. The basic workflow covers data acquisition through to physical modelling, suggesting compatibility with standard industrial scanning setups. Integration specifics would depend on your equipment's data output formats.

How mature is this software — is it production-ready?

The project delivered prototype software across multiple components: segmentation, reconstruction, alignment, and the Big Data platform. These are research-grade prototypes with documentation and training materials, not turnkey commercial products. Further engineering would be needed for production deployment.

Was this tested with real industrial partners?

The consortium included 12 industry partners and 7 SMEs across 11 countries, representing 46% of the 26-partner network. The MSCA-ITN structure meant 15 early stage researchers did intersectoral secondments at these industrial partners, exposing the tools to real-world use cases during development.

Consortium

Who built it

This is a large, well-balanced consortium of 26 partners across 11 countries, with an unusually high industry ratio of 46% for a training network — 12 industry partners including 7 SMEs alongside 9 universities and 5 research organizations. The coordinator, Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, is a top-tier technical university in Denmark. The geographic spread across Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Spain, France, Hungary, Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, and the UK covers major European manufacturing and research hubs. For a business looking to adopt these tools, the strong industry participation suggests the software was exposed to real engineering problems, not just academic exercises.

How to reach the team

Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU), Denmark — contact through SciTransfer for a warm introduction

Order a report on this consortiumSee DANMARKS TEKNISKE UNIVERSITET profile →
Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to know if MUMMERING's open-source 3D imaging tools fit your inspection or materials analysis workflow? SciTransfer can arrange a technical briefing with the development team.

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