The University of Houston and Texas A&M University are collaborating on a project aimed at enhancing the quality and reproducibility of metal parts produced through 3D printing. Led by Venkat Selvamanickam, the team aims to address the critical challenge of real-time monitoring and analysis during the AM process to ensure consistent quality.
Current quality control methods for metal AM parts rely on offline inspection and characterization, which can be time-consuming and inefficient. The project seeks to develop real-time, in-situ sub-surface and bulk structural analysis techniques integrated with data from various sensors. This approach will bridge the gap between process conditions and material properties, enabling prompt adjustments to ensure consistent quality throughout production.
Supported by a grant from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the team plans to implement two-dimensional X-ray diffraction (2D-XRD) for real-time identification of sample-to-sample differences caused by varying process conditions. They will install a custom in-line 2D-XRD system in the hybrid Directed Energy Deposition tool at the University of Houston’s Advanced Manufacturing Institute (AMI) facilities.
AMI, established in 2018, serves as a vital center for scaling up and commercializing technologies, facilitating the transition from concept to market deployment. This project builds upon AMI’s success in advancing superconductor manufacturing technologies for industrial applications.
The research team includes experts from both universities, leveraging their diverse backgrounds in mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, and engineering technology. The ultimate goal is to significantly expand the use of metal additive manufacturing across various industries by ensuring the stringent requirements of quality and repeatability are met.
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