Process Monitoring of Additive Manufacturing by Using Optical Tomography

Abstract

Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is a 3D-printing-process which provides the possibility to construct complex geometries by layered manufacturing of components with metallic powder. At MTU Aero Engines the optical tomography (OT) was developed as an Online Process Monitoring system which documents the complete welding process during the SLM fabrication procedure. Some details of the camera-system are shown. To create probability of detection (POD) curves, different specimens are investigated with digital radiography. To detect the small lack of fusion defects the specimens were plastified in order to increase the volume of the defects. Results of plastified specimens are presented.