Some of the most important details are the ones you cannot see. That's true for a modern aerospace component, and it's just as true for an antique stringed instrument built roughly 300 years ago. 

We recently had the opportunity to CT scan an early 18th century viola. What the scan revealed tells a story more than three centuries in the making, and it shows why looking inside, without ever opening the instrument, matters so much. 

What the scan revealed 

The CT data uncovered internal tunneling caused by wood-boring beetle larvae, commonly known as woodworm. These tunnels follow the natural grain of the wood, create complex internal void networks, and are completely invisible from the outside. 

Why computed tomography matters 

Using industrial CT, we can see inside a delicate object without cutting, disassembling, or damaging it. For the owner and conservator, that means: 

• A clear view of hidden damage, repairs, and material loss that no surface inspection can reach 
• Precise information to guide restoration decisions and protect the instrument's value 
• A permanent, high-resolution record of the instrument's internal condition 

You can't fix what you can't see. Whether it's a centuries-old instrument or a modern engineered part, that principle is the same. 

The same technology, everyday problems solved 

This is the same industrial CT and digital radiography capability we use every day to evaluate critical components across aerospace, manufacturing, medical devices, and more. By revealing hidden conditions such as voids, cracks, porosity, and assembly issues, our imaging helps clients reduce uncertainty, avoid costly rework, and make more confident decisions.  

"CT lets us answer questions without ever cutting a part open. Whether it's a 300-year-old viola or a critical production component, we help clients see what was hidden and make better decisions because of it." — Matthew Keys, NDE Lab Manager, DR/CT NAS 410 Level III, Braun Intertec

Ready to see what's beneath the surface? 

Hidden conditions can lead to costly surprises, whether you're preserving a piece of history or validating a critical build. Contact our NDE team to learn how advanced CT scanning and digital radiography can support your next project.