The goal of this work is to detect the onset of material cross-contamination in laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) additive manufacturing (AM) process using data from in-situ sensors. Material cross-contamination refers to trace foreign materials that may be introduced in the powder feedstock used in the process due to reasons, such as poor cleaning of the AM machine after previous builds, or inadequate quality control during production and storage of the feedstock powder material. Material cross-contamination may lead to deleterious changes in the microstructure of the AM part and consequently affect its functional properties. Accordingly, the objective of this work is to develop and apply a spectral graph theoretic approach to detect the occurrence of material cross-contamination in real-time during the build using in-process sensor signatures, such as those acquired from a photodetector. To realize this objective Inconel alloy 625 test parts were made on a custom-built L-PBF apparatus integrated with multiple sensors, including a photodetector (300 nm to 1100 nm). During the process the powder bed was contaminated with two types of foreign materials, namely, tungsten and aluminum powders under varying degrees of severity. Offline X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) and metallurgical analyses indicated that contaminant particles may cascade to over eight subsequent layers of the build, and enter up to three previously deposited layers. This research takes the first-step towards detecting cross-contamination in AM by tracking the process signatures from the photodetector sensor hatch-by-hatch invoking spectral graph transform coefficients. These coefficients are subsequently traced on a Hoteling T 2 statistical control chart. Using this approach, instances of Type II statistical error in detecting the onset of material cross-contamination was 5% in the case of aluminum, in contrast, traditional stochastic time series modeling approaches, e.g., ARMA had corresponding error exceeding 15%.

The goal of this work is to understand the effect of process conditions on part porosity in laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) Additive Manufacturing (AM) process, and subsequently, detect the onset of process conditions that lead to porosity from in-process sensor data. In pursuit of this goal, the objectives of this work are two-fold: (1) Quantify the count (number), size and location of pores as a function of three LPBF process parameters, namely, the hatch spacing (H), laser velocity (V), and laser power (P). (2) Monitor and identify process conditions that are liable to cause porosity through analysis of in-process layer-by-layer optical images of the build invoking multifractal and spectral graph theoretic features. This is important because porosity has a significant impact on the functional integrity of LPBF parts, such as fatigue life. Furthermore, linking process conditions to sensor signatures and defects is the first-step towards in-process quality assurance in LPBF. To achieve the first objective, titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) test cylinders of 10 mm diameter × 25 mm height were built under differing H, V, and P settings on a commercial LPBF machine (EOS M280). The effect of these parameters on count, size and location of pores was quantified based on X-ray computed tomography (XCT) images. To achieve the second objective, layerwise optical images of the powder bed were acquired as the parts were being built. Spectral graph theoretic and multifractal features were extracted from the layer-by-layer images for each test part. Subsequently, these features were linked to the process parameters using machine learning approaches. Through these image-based features, process conditions under which the parts were built was identified with the statistical fidelity over 80% (F-score).

Additive manufacturing (AM) for metals has attracted attention from industry because of its great potential to enhance production efficiency and reduce production costs. Directed energy deposition (DED) is a metal AM process suitable to produce large-scale freeform metal products. DED entails irradiating the baseplate with a laser beam and launching the metal powder onto the molten spot to produce a metal part on the baseplate. Because the process enables powder from different materials to be used, DED is widely applicable to valuable production work such as for a dissimilar material joint, a graded material, or a part with a special structure. With regard to parts with a special structure, directional solidification can prospectively be used in the power plant and aerospace industries because it can enhance the stiffness in a specific direction via only a simple process. However, conventional approaches for directional solidification require a special mold in order to realize a long-lasting thermal gradient in the part. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of thermal distribution in a produced part, DED is able to control the gradient by controlling the position of the molten pool, i.e., the position of the laser spot. Moreover, unlike casting, the thermal gradient can be precisely oriented in the expected direction, because the laser supplies heat energy on the regulated spot. In this study, the applicability of DED to directional solidification in Inconel ® 625 is theoretically and experimentally evaluated through metal structure observation and Vickers hardness measurements. Furthermore, the effect of two different cooling processes on directional solidification is also considered with the aim of improving the mechanical stiffness of a part produced by DED. The observations and experimental results show that both the cooling methods (baseplate cooling and intermittent treatment with coolant) are able to enhance the hardness while retaining the anisotropy.

This article presents manufacturing of exemplary knee prostheses using selective laser melting (SLM) technology. All phases of design and production are considered, from acquisition of the STL build file to optimization of process parameters, printing and post-build heat treatments. Geometric differences are acquired and compared with a 3D scanner.

Transparent, bubble-free glass structures can be printed using a filament-fed, laser-heated additive manufacturing process. In this process, a stationary CO 2 laser beam is focused at the intersection of the filament and workpiece to locally heat the glass above its working temperature. Glass enters the molten region and is deposited on the workpiece as the workpiece is translated/rotated using a 4-axis stage. This paper studies creating free-form, free-standing objects which is facilitated by the glass rapidly achieving structural rigidity as it cools upon exiting the molten region. The effects of the process parameters and printing techniques are examined and optimized to print simple wall and truss structures.

Compared with other metals, titanium has a wide range of applications in laser induced forward transfer (LIFT) due to its unique properties of low thermal conductivity and high melting point. In general, the titanium film is used as a sacrificial layer or transferred material in LIFT with different laser fluence. In this study, four different topography types are classified under the laser irradiation of ultraviolet nanosecond pulses. For Ti films with different thicknesses, probability distribution of these types is provided to demonstrate how topographies evolve with the increasing laser fluence. Through the research, the understanding of the physical mechanism of titanium film would be deepened.

The importance of the post-processing is increasing to remove the supporter afterward the additive manufacture process. The machining, known as the material removal process, achieve the high efficiency and rapid process as compared with the others techniques. This paper experimentally investigated the tool wear during the milling operations of the additive manufactured workpieces for the post-processing. The XRD analysis resulted that Inconel 718 powder used in the additive manufacturing has crystal structure FCC, which homologies the chemical compositions in wrought Inconel 718. The selective laser melting process had built the additive manufactured samples with two different orientations. Wrought Inconel 718 was the lowest hardness among the workpieces, whereas the severe tool wear was observed during the milling operation of wrought Inconel 718. The defects as the pores and cavities in the additive manufactured parts lead the low tool wears, even though the high hardness on the surfaces of the SLM Inconel 718. Further, the built orientation dominated the re-melted zone in the SLM parts, the contact between the tool and re-melted zone controlled the tool wears. Therefore, it should consider the built orientations to apply the machining as the post-processes.

Post-surgery infection is one of the major causes of orthopedic implantation failure. Silver has been widely used as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial component in medical instrument. This paper presents a pioneering study on laser engineered net shaping (LENS) of titanium-silver (Ti-Ag) alloy for implant-related infection control. Ti-Ag alloy coupons were 3D printed through LENS process and characterized by 3D microscopy. The biofilm resistance and biocompatibility of the alloy samples were investigated. Results showed that the alloy significantly reduced the bacterial attachment for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains, and has no cytotoxicity to human fibroblast cells. This study demonstrated a great potential of laser 3D printed Ti-Ag alloy for orthopedic implant.

One of the versatile additive manufacturing processes is laser based Selective Laser Melting (SLM) which allows to build complex intricate shapes directly from its three dimensional digital images. Layer by layer deposition and depending upon build orientations, SLM parts tends to be anisotropic in nature. Also non-uniformity in thermal loading across the part leads to inhomogeneous microstructure which may have detrimental effect on various mechanical properties. Heat treatment of as-built SLM parts could be used as a post processing technique to reduce the anisotropy and produce homogenous microstructure to ensure reproducible mechanical properties. Application oriented mechanical properties can be obtained for precipitation hardened stainless steel by suitable heat treatment process. Present study is based on effect of heat treatments namely solution annealing, ageing and overaging on impact toughness of SLM 15-5 PH stainless steel. In order to support experimental observations, various metallurgical techniques have been applied. Effect of notch orientations causes anisotropy in impact toughness but this anisotropy is reduced with application of suitable heat treatment. In case of ageing, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analysis shows formation of fine spherical Cu precipitates which solution strengthens but makes the specimen brittle. As a result relatively lower impact toughness is obtained as compared to overaged condition where combined effect of coarsening of Cu precipitates and increased retained austenite makes the specimen ductile. Increased ageing temperature and soaking time does not have significant effect on impact toughness. However, solution annealing before ageing is recommended for homogenous precipitation throughout the specimen and statistically less scattered data. In all the cases SLM specimens have lower impact toughness to that of cold rolled 15-5 PH stainless steel. Present study could be used as a guideline to get application oriented mechanical properties mainly impact toughness.

An efficient strategy for robotic surface finishing of curved surfaces that includes real-time identification of the surface profile, control, and implementation is presented in this paper. Real-time identification of the surface profile in the robot base frame is accomplished by employing a proximity laser sensor mounted on the robot end-effector. This surface profile description allows us to generate trajectories for both motion and force control as it provides the surface normal at each point of the surface. Using the surface profile, a trajectory is generated that would orient the surface finishing tool to the local normal of the surface. An algorithm for simultaneous position and force control is developed for surface finishing of curved surfaces. The integrated robotic surface finishing system consists of a UR5 robot and a custom end-effector that includes a force/torque sensor, an electromechanical sander, and the proximity laser sensor. Robot Operating System (ROS) is utilized for real-time implementation, which would enable easy migration of the developed tools if other industrial robots are used. The effectiveness of the strategy is evaluated by conducting a number of experiments for flat and curved surfaces. A representative sample of results on force regulation and surface finishing are presented and discussed.

This paper presents on the design, prototyping and testing of a flexure-based active workpiece fixture system for precision robotic deburring. Current industrial robotic manipulators suffer from poor positioning accuracy, which makes precision tasks such as deburring, polishing and grinding challenging. Together, the robotic manipulator and the proposed active work fixture will create a dual-stage positioning system for precision tasks where position/force control is crucial. The main application is robotic deburring, which demands positioning accuracy and high compliance over large cutting forces. This first prototype active fixture system is designed as a planar motion table that is supported by parallel flexures, driven by voice-coil actuators, and uses high-resolution laser displacement pickups facilitate accurate motion generation with great backdrivability for force control. The theory behind the proposed design is shown, and a prototype is then used to validate performance. Overall the prototype flexure stage achieves a total stroke of 1 mm and a bandwidth of 21 Hz.

This paper proposes a bi-directional laser sequential step diagonal measuring method for three-axis vertical machining centers. Different measure paths are particularly designed for positive and negative directions, and corresponding error decoupling models are established. Based on the laser measuring data along these bi-directional paths, 18 geometric errors can be identified simultaneously, including 6 angular errors, 3 positioning errors, 6 straightness errors and 3 squareness errors. Compared with single directional step diagonal measurements, the proposed bi-directional mothed is more efficient and can identify more error items, namely 6 angular errors. Experimental tests were conducted on a three-axis vertical machining center. Decoupled error items obtained by the proposed bi-direction measurements coincide with those from direct measurements via a laser Doppler displacement meter, which verified the feasibility of the proposed method. Finally, the position error of the machine whole workspace was predicted by building volumetric error model and the machine accuracy was improved.

To improve the surface quality of the copper and reduce the diamond tool wear, a prediction model is established experimentally for the relationship between surface roughness and machining parameters. Based on the processing principle of flycutting machining, the prediction model for surface roughness is set up by response surface methodology. Then, a machining experiment for the copper is conducted under different cutting parameters designed by Taguchi method and the surface roughness is tested by 4D technology dynamic laser interferometer. After that, the prediction model is obtained by analyzing the experimental data, and the accuracy of the model is verified by analysis of variance (ANOVA), R 2 value and residual analysis. Furthermore, the effect of cutting parameters upon the surface roughness is analyzed. Finally, validation tests are conducted to verify the model. Experimental results demonstrate that the prediction model is adequate at 95% confidence level. The output of prediction model helps to select cutting parameters to reduce surface roughness which ensures surface quality in ultra-precision fly cutting machining.

Additive manufacturing is driving major innovations in many areas such as biomedical engineering. Recent advances have enabled 3D printing of biocompatible materials and cells into complex 3D functional living tissues and organs using bioink. Inkjet-based bioprinting fabricates the tissue and organ constructs by ejecting droplets onto a substrate. Compared with microextrusion-based and laser-assisted bioprinting, it is very difficult to predict and control the droplet formation process (e.g., droplet velocity and size). To address this issue, this paper presents a new data-driven approach to predict droplet velocity and size in the inkjet-based bioprinting process. An imaging system was used to monitor the droplet formation process. To investigate the effects of excitation voltage, dwell time, and rise time on droplet velocity and droplet size, a full factorial design of experiments was conducted. Two predictive models were developed to predict droplet velocity and droplet size using random forests. The accuracy of the two predictive models was evaluated using the relative error. Experimental results have shown that the predictive models are capable of predicting droplet velocity and size with sufficient accuracy.

New metrology tools, such as laser trackers, are enabling the rapid collection of machine tool geometric error over a wide range of the workspace. Error models fit to this data are used to compensate for high-order geometric errors that were previously challenging to obtain due to limited data sets. However, model fitting accuracy can suffer near the edges of the measurable space where obstacles and interference of the metrology equipment can make it difficult to collect dense data sets. In some instances, for example when obstacles are permanent fixtures, these locations are difficult to measure but critically important for machining, and thus models need to be accurate at these locations. In this paper, a method is proposed to evaluate the model accuracy for five-axis machine tools at measurement boundaries by characterizing the statistical consistency of the model fit over the workspace. Using a representative machine tool compensation method, the modeled Jacobian matrix is derived and used for characterization. By constructing and characterizing different polynomial order error models, it is observed that the function behavior at the boundary and in the unmeasured space is inconsistent with the function behavior in the interior space, and that the inconsistency increases as the polynomial order increases. Also, the further the model is extrapolated into unmeasured space, the more inconsistent the kinematic error model behaves.

Joining of dissimilar metals and alloys has been envisioned since a long time with specific high end applications in various fields. One such combination is austenitic stainless steel grade SS304 and commercial grade titanium, which is very difficult to join under conventional fusion process due to extensive cracking and failure caused by mismatch in structural and thermal properties as well as formation of the extremely brittle and hard intermetallic compounds. One of the methods proposed in literature to control the formation of intermetallics is by fast cooling fusion process like laser beam welding. The present study has been done on laser welding of titanium and stainless steel AISI 304 to understand the interaction of these materials during laser welding at different laser power and welding speed which could yield different cooling rates. Two types of cracks were observed in the weld joint, namely longitudinal cracks and transverse cracks with respect to the weld direction. Longitudinal cracks could be completely eliminated at faster welding speeds, but transverse cracks were found little influenced by the welding speed. The thermal history, i.e. melt pool lifetime and cooling rate of the molten pool during laser welding was monitored and a relation between thermo-cycle with occurrence of cracks was established. It is inferred that the longitudinal cracks are mainly due to the formation of various brittle intermetallic phases of Fe and Ti, which could be minimized by providing relatively less melt pool lifetime at high welding speeds. The reason of the transverse cracks could be the generation of longitudinal stress in weld joint due to the large difference in the thermal expansion coefficient of steel and titanium. In order to mitigate the longitudinal stress laser welding was carried out with a novel experimental arrangement which ensured different cooling rates of these two metals during laser welding. With this the tendency of transverse cracks also could be minimized significantly.

Graphene is an ideal reinforcement material for metal matrix composites (MMC) owing to its high strength, high ductility, light weight, as well as good bonding with metal matrix. Additive manufacturing such as selective laser melting (SLM) brings the advantages of low material waste, high flexibility, and short production lead cycle. In this study, graphene nano-platelets (GNPs) reinforced Inconel 718 composites are fabricated by SLM technique and processed under various post heat treatment schemes. It is found that fabrication of GNPs reinforced MMC using SLM technique is a viable approach. The obtained composite possesses dense microstructure and enhanced tensile strength. Post heat treatments at two levels of solution temperature (980 and 1220°C) for 1 hour followed by two-step aging are carried out. The experiment results indicate that addition of GNPs into Inconel 718 matrix results in significant strength improvement. At as-built condition, the ultimate tensile strengths are 997 and 1447 MPa, respectively at 0 and 4.4vol.% GNP content. Moreover, under as-built and solution treated condition, high content of GNPs results in overall higher UTS value and the strengthening effect is most significant at as-built condition. Meanwhile, γ′ and γ″ precipitation hardening is suppressed in the GNPs reinforced composite under aged condition due to the formation of MC carbide and depletion of Nb. Incorporating GNPs in Inconel 718 effectively inhibits the grain growth during post heat treatment.

The hybrid structures of aluminum-steel have been increasingly used for body-in-white constructions in order to reduce weight and green gas emissions. Obtaining acceptable joints between steel and aluminum required a better understanding of welding metallurgy and their effects on the resultant mechanical properties as well as the microstructure of the joints. In this research, the fiber laser welding of zero-gap galvanized steel and aluminum alloy in an overlapped configuration was carried out. The influence of heat input on the weld bead dimension, microstructural and mechanical properties of the joints was studied. A detailed study was conducted on the effects of the heat input on the penetration depth, weld width and microstructure of the laser welded dissimilar joints by means of an optical microscopy. A scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy was carried out to determine the atomic percent of the elements for intermetallic compounds (IMC) occurred at the interface of the aluminum and steel. Microhardness measurement and tensile shear tests were conducted to evaluate the mechanical properties of the galvanized steel to aluminum lap joints. The experimental results showed that the penetration depth and weld width increased with the increase of heat input level. However, in order to limit IMC layer thickness and hardness at the surface of the weld seam and aluminum alloy, iron to aluminum dilution should be restricted by limiting the penetration depth. At lower heat input levels, less brittle IMC formation was formed. Consequently, with limited penetration depths at low heat input levels, up to 520 N tensile shear load achieved, with failures located in the interface of the joints.

In laser keyhole welding of dissimilar metals, the thermo-fluid flow in the molten pool has decisive effects on the compositional mixing of different chemical elements and hence the formation of detrimental intermetallic compounds. A numerical model is developed in this work to investigate the composition mixing in laser keyhole welding of dissimilar metals. The model takes into account multiple important physics in the process, including dynamic keyhole evolution, laser matter-interaction, phase change, thermo-fluid flow, and composition diffusion/advection. The preliminary simulation results demonstrate that the keyhole behavior is strongly affected by the properties of the dissimilar metals, and the keyhole fluctuation causes an unstable flow in the molten pool that facilitates the compositional mixing through advection.

In this experimental work, the effects of line energy at constant scan speed on quality of bead-on-plate laser welding of NiTinol sheets were investigated. Variations of bead geometry, changes in microstructure, variation of micro-hardness value along the weld-bead, generation of new phase during welding, changes in tensile strength of the welded samples, corrosion behavior of welded and parent material, and changes in phase transformation temperatures were measured for characterization of welded samples. Laser weld-bead profile was changed from a wine glass without base to glass shape with the increasing line energy. Quality aspects of weld-bead geometry quality aspects showed an increasing trend with line energy. Microstructure was changed during welding due to competitive grain growth. Microhardness values gradually increased from weld centre line to base metal. Tensile strength of the material was reduced after welding due to the formation of brittle intermetallics compounds. A dual failure mode for the welded sample was observed; whereas a single mode of failure was detected for parent material. The corrosion properties of the welded samples were found to be better than that of parent material. Phase transformation temperatures were also found to be reduced after welding.