EOS has launched a process monitoring and analysis system for metal additive manufacturing (AM).
EOSTATE MeltPool Monitoring is an add-on to the EOS M 290 DMLS (direct metal laser sintering) system. It makes it possible to have complete part traceability as well as automated surveillance and analysis of the melt pool during the DMLS build process for every spot, layer and part. The system was developed jointly with plasmo Industrietechnik GmbH, a supplier of automated quality assurance systems.
EOSTATE MeltPool observes the light emitted by the melt pool. The key elements are a pair of photodiodes located o- and off-axis, a camera adapter, a signal amplifier and spectral filters to separate process light from reflected laser light. The associated software offers automatic data error correction and real-time process visualisation and evaluation. For data analysis, the EOSTATE MeltPool Analysis Toolbox visualises data in 2D or 3D mappings and enables the evaluation of indication clusters. The tool works based on three advanced algorithms to obtain different data interpretations. From the collected data, conclusions for the resulting quality in the final part can be drawn. For this, customers define corresponding parameters (MPM Parameters) using the EOSTATE MeltPool Analysis Toolbox and can set their thresholds according to their particular quality requirements. Live monitoring during the build process of a real part helps to automatically identify error indications based on these MPM parameters.
The technology is suitable for R&D and manufacturing customers with demanding quality requirements.
This story is reprinted from material from EOS, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
