Metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a rapidly expanding technology in both the research and industrial sectors which utilizes a layer by layer build process to fabricate parts directly from 3-D CAD models. AM encompasses a number of distinct process categories that take advantage of layer based fabrication to create prototypes or finished parts with remarkably complex geometries. The ability to produce these intricate parts sets AM apart from traditional manufacturing methods such as milling, turning, casting, etc. That being said, these parts are limited by their poor "as printed" surface quality. Finishing operations (e.g. bead blasting, milling, laser ablation) can be utilized to improve the quality of their surfaces. However, it is common for some of these surfaces to be left in their "as printed" state. This could be due to an inability to reach these surfaces with post processing methods, or the surfaces were deemed non-critical and left unaltered to save time and cost. In any case, obtaining a better understanding of AM surfaces is critical step in pushing this technology forward.
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