Towards in-situ process monitoring in selective laser sintering using optical coherence tomography

Guangying Guan; Zeng Hai Lu; Matthias Hirsch; Ruth Goodridge; David T. D. Childs; Stephen J. Matcher; Adam T. Clare; Kristian M. Groom

doi:10.1117/12.2210992

6 April 2016 Towards in-situ process monitoring in selective laser sintering using optical coherence tomography

Guangying Guan, Zeng Hai Lu, Matthias Hirsch, Ruth Goodridge, David T. D. Childs, Stephen J. Matcher, Adam T. Clare, Kristian M. Groom

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9738, Laser 3D Manufacturing III; 97380Q (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2210992
Event: SPIE LASE, 2016, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Selective laser sintering (SLS) enables fast, flexible and cost-efficient production of parts directly from 3D CAD data. However, compared with more established machine tools, there is a marked lack of process monitoring and feedback control of key process variables to optimize production parameters in-situ. We apply optical coherence tomography (OCT) to evaluate components produced by SLS and suggest a route for its application in in-situ process monitoring within the SLS tool for real-time monitoring of the SLS process for assurance, or even dynamic correction of defects during the build. OCT is shown to be a viable technique for evaluation of both surface and sub-surface features built into a part either by design or from poor sintering or non-homogeneous powder spreading. We demonstrate detection and quantification of surface defects on a ~30 μm scale in a Polyamide (PA2200) part, resolving ‘built-in’ fine features within a 200 to 400μm depth below the surface.

Citation Download Citation

Guangying Guan, Zeng Hai Lu, Matthias Hirsch, Ruth Goodridge, David T. D. Childs, Stephen J. Matcher, Adam T. Clare, and Kristian M. Groom "Towards in-situ process monitoring in selective laser sintering using optical coherence tomography", Proc. SPIE 9738, Laser 3D Manufacturing III, 97380Q (6 April 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2210992

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