3D Printing
News Videos Newsletter Contact us
Home / News / Improving Real-Time Quality Control in Metal Additive Manufacturing
qidi

Improving Real-Time Quality Control in Metal Additive Manufacturing

February 13, 2024

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.

Improving Real-Time Quality Control in Metal Additive Manufacturing
Professor Venkat Selvamanickam (left), and his department’s metal printer. (Image Credit: University of Houston)

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.

Come and let us know your thoughts on our Facebook, X, and LinkedIn pages, and don’t forget to sign up for our weekly additive manufacturing newsletter to get all the latest stories delivered right to your inbox.

Share:
WhatsApp Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Buffer Reddit E-mail
About the author | Phillip Keane
Phillip is an aerospace engineer from UK. He is a graduate of Coventry University (UK), International Space University (France) and Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), where he studied Advanced Manufacturing at the Singapore Centre for 3D Printing.
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Latest posts

3D-Printed Insects Help Scientists Map the Limits of Mimicry in Nature

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a method to 3D print life-sized, color-accurate insect models for biological research. The team, led... read more »

Environmental

University of Hong Kong Scientists Explore Growing Organs with 3D Printing Technology

Researchers at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) are working to combine 3D-printed respiratory tissue with lab-grown organoids to create functional airways for... read more »

Bioprinting
University of Hong Kong Scientists Explore Growing Organs with 3D Printing Technology

SHINING 3D Unveils EinScan Rigil with Tri-Mode Scanning for Pro-Level Flexibility

SHINING 3D has launched its newest flagship 3D scanner, the EinScan Rigil — touted as the world’s first 3D scanner featuring Tri-Mode operation... read more »

News
SHINING 3D Unveils EinScan Rigil with Tri-Mode Scanning for Pro-Level Flexibility

ETH Zurich 3D Prints Recycled Plastic Structure for Swiss Ice Cream Shop

ETH Zurich students have completed a 3D-printed ice cream shop in the Swiss Alpine village of Mulegns. The project, called Gelateria, was designed... read more »

Construction
ETH Zurich 3D Prints Recycled Plastic Structure for Swiss Ice Cream Shop

Hugo Launches 3D Printed Loafers with Zellerfeld

Hugo, the younger brand under Hugo Boss, has partnered with 3D printing company Zellerfeld to create a fully 3D-printed loafer. The shoe is... read more »

Fashion
Hugo Launches 3D Printed Loafers with Zellerfeld

3D Printed Resin Combines Rubber Flexibility with Plastic Strength, Surprising Scientists

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a 3D printing method that can create objects with both soft and hard... read more »

News
3D Printed Resin Combines Rubber Flexibility with Plastic Strength, Surprising Scientists

LPE Supports Queen’s Propulsion Laboratory with 3D Printed Rocket Engine Chamber

Students at Queen's University Belfast have developed what they describe as Ireland's first student-built liquid rocket engine. The Kelvin Mk.1, named after Belfast-born... read more »

3D Printing Metal
LPE Supports Queen’s Propulsion Laboratory with 3D Printed Rocket Engine Chamber

Dassault Systèmes and Patrick Jouin Unveil New 3D Printed Chair

Dassault Systèmes and French designer Patrick Jouin have unveiled Ta.Tamu, a 3D-printed chair developed using the company's 3DEXPERIENCE platform. The project represents a... read more »

News
Dassault Systèmes and Patrick Jouin Unveil New 3D Printed Chair

Endemic Architecture Debuts 3D Printed Homes in Rural California

A development of five 3D-printed homes called Corduroy Castles is currently under construction in Olivehurst, California, a rural town in Yuba County located... read more »

Construction
Endemic Architecture Debuts 3D Printed Homes in Rural California

Social

  • Facebook Facebook 3D Printing
  • Linkedin Linkedin 3D Printing
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Fashion
  • Medical
  • Military
  • QIDI Plus4

    • - Print size: 305 x 305 x 280 mm
    • - print temperature of 370°C
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Tech Q1 Pro

    • - Print size: 245 x 245 x 245 mm
    • - 600mm/s max speed
    More details »
    $449.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • Snapmaker Artisan Premium 3-in-1

    • - Print size: 400 x 400 x 400 mm
    • - comes with enclosure
    More details »
    $2,999.00 Snapmaker
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Tech X-Max 3

    • - Print size: 325 x 325 x 315 mm
    • - fully enclosed
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now

Company Information

  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing

Blog

  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal

Featured Reviews

  • Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
  • Creality Ender 5 S1
  • The Mole 3D Scanner
  • Flashforge Creator 3 Pro

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
2025 — Strikwerda en Dehue
  • Home
  • Join our mailing list
  • Contact us
Blog
  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal
Featured Industries
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
Company Information
  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing