May 3, 2021 | Posted By: Jan Fischer
3D Printing Gas Flows Validation with Multipoint Air Velocity Measurement
| Laser beam is a type of powder bed fusion found in additive manufacturing (AM) processes that form parts through adding material, rather than subtracting it. Industrial metal 3D printers use laser-based powder bed fusion of metals (PBF-LB/M), where a laser is used to melt and fuse metallic powders together, layer by layer, to build a three-dimensional object. The laser melting process takes place in a chamber where the powder bed is blanketed with an inert gas such as argon or nitrogen to protect the atmosphere and preserve metal quality. (Note: ISO/ASTM 52911-1 specifies features of laser-based powder bed fusion of metals.) Gas flow is a consequential process parameter in metal additive manufacturing and the production of good-quality parts. The industry relies on multipoint data acquisition systems (DAQ) from Degree Controls to characterize 3D printing gas flow as part of printer calibrations as well as in-the-field maintenance processes. Our instrumentation systems are convenient, easy to use, and save significant time as compared to the single-point measurement approach: |
- Modular arrays of sensors measure air velocity and temperature simultaneously within build chambers of laser AM machines.
- Airflow sensors have a convenient USB output and plug directly into °C Port data acquisition instruments.
- Measurement data is aggregated with Windows®-based AccuTrac™ software installed on a PC.
- The °C Port1200 provides 12 sensor input channels, and as many as 36 sensors may be connected to a °C Port3600. Multiple °C Ports may be networked together to obtain up to 180 data points.
- °C Ports feature an Ethernet or dual-band Wi-Fi interface to communicate to your AccuTrac™ PC.
- AccuTrac™ software displays and analyzes measurement results in real-time. The contour plots are invaluable in investigating the response and operation of metal 3D printing systems.
Enjoy the benefits of our plug and play multipoint sensing & instrumentation systems, and work with °C Port instruments, USB airflow sensors, and AccuTrac™ software to measure 3D printing gas flows.