A real-time communication architecture for metal powder bed fusion additive manufacturing

Alexander J. Dunbar, Abdalla R. Nassar, Edward W. Reutzel, Jared J. Blecher

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recent advancements in the field of additive manufacturing continue to push its application deeper into commercial use. However, concerns persist regarding the consistency of part quality, methodologies for quality assurance, and cyber-physical system security. These concerns are exacerbated by the closed-system architecture implemented by most commercial powder bed fusion additive manufacturing (PBFAM) machine manufacturers. Though implementation of device and process monitoring equipment is often suggested to address these concerns, deployment is hampered by the inability to extract real-time information from closed systems during the build process, including scanner position, laser power, sensor data, etc. Here, a framework for an open and transparent communication protocol for PBFAM systems is developed and implemented on a 3DSystems ProX-200 machine. Real-time measurement of build process parameters and synchronization with an optical emission sensor is demonstrated. The utility of the protocol and real-time sensing for PBFAM are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages67-80
Number of pages14
StatePublished - 2016
Event27th Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium - An Additive Manufacturing Conference, SFF 2016 - Austin, United States
Duration: Aug 8 2016Aug 10 2016

Conference

Conference27th Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium - An Additive Manufacturing Conference, SFF 2016
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityAustin
Period8/8/168/10/16

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Surfaces and Interfaces
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films

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