Unified control approach for an electron beam physical vapour deposition process

This paper presents a unified approach for the automatic control of an electron beam physical vapour deposition (EBPVD) process. Images of the melt pool are analyzed on a block-by-block basis and a technique to identify critical regions of the melt pool, as would be designated by trained operators, is given. Simulation results demonstrate the feasibility of automating the electron beam steering sequence. In addition, methods to obtain input data describing the melt pool and the incorporation of this data into an overall control strategy that would insure the uniformity of coatings are presented.