Analytical modelling of in situ layer-wise defect detection in 3D-printed parts: additive manufacturing (original) (raw)

Open Source Computer Vision-based Layer-wise 3D Printing Analysis.

Additive Manufacturing, 2020

The paper describes an open source computer vision-based hardware structure and software algorithm, which analyzes layer-wise 3-D printing processes, tracks printing errors, and generates appropriate printer actions to improve reliability. This approach is built upon multiple-stage monocular image examination, which allows monitoring both the external shape of the printed object and internal structure of its layers. Starting with the side-view height validation, the developed program analyzes the virtual top view for outer shell contour correspondence using the multi-template matching and iterative closest point algorithms, as well as inner layer texture quality clustering the spatial-frequency filter responses with Gaussian mixture models and segmenting structural anomalies with the agglomerative hierarchical clustering algorithm. This allows evaluation of both global and local parameters of the printing modes. The experimentally verified analysis time per layer is less than one minute, which can be considered a quasi-real-time process for large prints. The systems can work as an intelligent printing suspension tool designed to save time and material. However, the results show the algorithm provides a means to systematize in situ printing data as a first step in a fully open source failure correction algorithm for additive manufacturing.

Visual assessment of 3D printed elements: A practical quality assessment for home-made FDM products

Materials Today: Proceedings, 2020

We illustrate the use of dimensional and microscopy in quality checks of home-made 3D printed parts. Using a typical and affordable fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printer, some of the common elements (shapes) were produced. These elements include circular, diamond, hollow, square and S-shapes. The elements were designed in 3D Computer Aided design models and using CURA slicing software, the G-codes were generated. A polyl(actic) acid (PLA) filament was used. The dimensions of the printed elements were taken and compared to the CAD models. The significant errors (discrepancies) were reported on diamond tips, corners and thickness of the S-shapes. The optical microscopy revealed that dimensional differences were caused majorly by insufficient fusion of the filament material during printing.

Experimental Investigation on an Algorithm for Testing the Quality of Powder Distribution During 3D Printing Process

Advances in Science and Technology Research Journal

Metal 3D printing is a modern manufacturing process that allows the production of geometrically complex structures from metallic powders of varying chemical composition. This paper shows the results of testing the powder feeding and distribution system of the developed 3D printer. The device using the SLM method (Selected Laser Melting) was developed by research team of WroclawTech and used in this investigation. The powder feeding and distribution system was tested using a vision system integrated into the printer control system. Thousands of tests performed made it possible to identify the reasons corresponding to incorrect powder distribution on the working field. In addition, a quality control algorithm was developed and implemented in the MatLab environment. Algorithms based on image analysis automatically identifies powder distributed in an unacceptable way. An 88% accuracy rate was achieved for identifying defects in all images within a dataset of 600 pictures, classified into following categories OK and NOK consisting of: recoater streaking, recoater hopping, super-elevation. The strength of the algorithm developed lies in its utilization of variations in shades of gray, rather than solely relying on the actual gray values. This approach grants the algorithm a certain degree of adaptability to changing lighting conditions.

Quality of 3D Printed Objects Using Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Technology in Terms of Dimensional Accuracy

International journal of online and biomedical engineering, 2023

3D printers are known for providing parts with relatively good accuracy. However, the level of accuracy in the dimensions of printed objects may not matter if they do not have a mechanical purpose. When multiple 3D-printed parts are intended to be integrated with each other to create a larger system, even a fraction of a millimeter can have a significant impact on the entire system. This study aims to investigate the variation in dimension when a single print file is replicated using the same slicing settings. The findings are then analyzed using quality control tools and compared to the designed measurements. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology or fused filament fabrication (FFF) technology was chosen for this study due to its availability to the common user, its relatively low cost, and its increasing popularity in different applications and industries. The material used in this study is polylactic acid (PLA) which is a thermoplastic and the most widely used plastic filament in 3D printing. It has a low melting point, high strength, low thermal expansion, and is relatively cheap. The dimensional accuracy of FDM-produced parts was evaluated by comparing the dimensions of the fabricated specimens with their computer-aided design (CAD) models. Statistical analysis revealed that the mean dimensional deviations were within the specified tolerance limits for most of the tested parts. This suggests that FDM technology is reliable in terms of achieving dimensional accuracy. KEYWORDS 3D printed, FDM technology, FFF technology, accuracy of 3D printed parts, polylactic acid (PLA) 1 INTRODUCTION Additive manufacturing (AM), commonly known as 3D printing has revolutionized the manufacturing industry and had a huge impact on how various industries operate. Additive manufacturing has provided users with the freedom to design complex parts that are not easily manufactured using traditional manufacturing methods. This

International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing TOPICAL REVIEW • OPEN ACCESS Defect inspection technologies for additive manufacturing Topical Review Defect inspection technologies for additive manufacturing

Additive manufacturing (AM) technology is considered one of the most promising manufacturing technologies in the aerospace and defense industries. However, AM components are known to have various internal defects, such as powder agglomeration, balling, porosity, internal cracks and thermal/internal stress, which can significantly affect the quality, mechanical properties and safety of final parts. Therefore, defect inspection methods are important for reducing manufactured defects and improving the surface quality and mechanical properties of AM components. This paper describes defect inspection technologies and their applications in AM processes. The architecture of defects in AM processes is reviewed. Traditional defect detection technology and the surface defect detection methods based on deep learning are summarized, and future aspects are suggested.

Generalizable process monitoring for FFF 3D printing with machine vision

Production Engineering

Additive manufacturing has experienced a surge in popularity in both commercial and private sectors over the past decade due to the growing demand for affordable and highly customized products, which are often in direct opposition to the requirements of traditional subtractive manufacturing. Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) has emerged as the most widely-used additive manufacturing technology, despite challenges associated with achieving contour accuracy. To address this issue, the authors have developed a novel camera-based process monitoring method that enables the detection of errors in the printing process through a layer-by-layer comparison of the actual contour and the target contour obtained via G-Code processing. This method is generalizable and can be applied to different printer models with minimal hardware adjustments using off-the-shelf components. The authors have demonstrated the effectiveness of this method in automatically detecting both coarse and small contour devi...

Modelling, inspection, and post-processing of layer-based additive manufacturing surfaces to maintain product quality

2017

Today's Additive Manufacturing (AM) is mostly layer-based. Despite AM's great capabilities in fabrication of complex geometries, product's surface roughness is a limiting factor in many industrial applications. Therefore, application of AM parts in industrial services highly relies on appropriate modeling, inspection, and post-processing of the fabricated surfaces. A thorough investigation of surface roughness to improve surface quality of AM products is the focus of this thesis by developing methodologies to complete the three tasks of modelling, inspection, and post-processing of AM surfaces. A theoretical formulation to model surface roughness of layer based manufactured parts is developed by defining centerline using a Total Least Square (TLS) approach and the model is validated experimentally. The developed model is also used for surface topography of AM parts as a new metrology approach. Optical scanning data point cloud of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) parts are used to conduct inspection based on the developed methodology. 3D topography of the surfaces are reconstructed when a good agreement with the corresponding 2D profilometer inspection is observed. Acetone vapour bath smoothing is used for post-processing of FDM parts. The number of smoothing cycles, and the duration of each cycle are considered as the main smoothing parameters. Effect of geometric complexity and smoothing parameters are studied and the best smoothing settings are proposed for a desired level of smoothing requirement. The developed experimental models allow engineers to plan the smoothing process based on the build orientation and geometric complexity of the product.

Factors Effecting Real Time Optical Monitoring of Fused Filament 3-D Printing

This study analyzes a low-cost reliable real-time optimal monitoring platform for fused filament fabrication-based open source 3-D printing. An algorithm for reconstructing 3-D images from overlapping 2-D intensity measurements with relaxed camera positioning requirements is compared with a single camera solution for single side 3-D printing monitoring. The algorithms are tested for different 3-D object geometry and filament colors. The results showed that both of the algorithms with a single and double camera system were effective at detecting a clogged nozzle, incomplete project, or loss of filament for a wide range of 3-D object geometries and filament colors. The combined approach was the most effective and achieves 100 percent detection rate for failures. The combined method analyzed here has a better detection rate and a lower cost compared to previous methods. In addition, this method is generalizable to a wide range of 3-D printer geometries, which enables further deployment of desktop 3-D printing as wasted print time and filament are reduced, thereby improving the economic advantages of distributed manufacturing.