In situ process monitoring in selective laser sintering using optical coherence tomography

Selective laser sintering (SLS) is an efficient process in additive manufacturing that enables rapid part production from computer-based designs. However, SLS is limited by its notable lack of in-situ process monitoring when compared to other manufacturing processes. We report the incorporation of o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inOptical engineering Vol. 57; no. 4
Main Authors Gardner, Michael R, Lewis, Adam, Park, Jongwan, McElroy, Austin B, Estrada, Arnold D, Fish, Scott, Beaman, Joseph J, Milner, Thomas E
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.04.2018
Subjects
additive manufacturing
selective laser sintering
process monitoring
optical coherence tomography
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Summary:Selective laser sintering (SLS) is an efficient process in additive manufacturing that enables rapid part production from computer-based designs. However, SLS is limited by its notable lack of in-situ process monitoring when compared to other manufacturing processes. We report the incorporation of optical coherence tomography into an SLS system in detail and demonstrate access to surface and sub-surface features. Video frame rate cross-sectional imaging reveals areas of sintering uniformity and areas of excessive heat error with high temporal resolution. We propose a set of image processing techniques for SLS process monitoring with OCT and report the limitations and obstacles for further OCT integration with SLS systems.
ISSN:0091-3286
1560-2303
DOI:10.1117/1.OE.57.4.041407