Detecting defects with thermography during the additive manufacturing process

摘要

Additive manufacturing methods enable complex components to be constructed and manufactured with precision and in a cost-efficient manner. This is particularly useful when only small quantities of parts are needed. However, as this technology is still relatively young, suitable methods for quality control during manufacturing have been lacking to date. Scientists at the Bundesanstalt fur Materialforschung und -prufung (BAM) are thus investigating the process. They are developing methods that can monitor whether any defects occur within the component during production. In this way, complex post-production quality testing and rejects can be minimised in the future. The manufacturing of components, for applications within aerospace and medical technology, for example, would become quicker and more cost-efficient as a result.