Comparison of Different Additive Manufacturing Methods Using Optimized Computed Tomography

Additive manufacturing (AM) allows for fast fabrication of three dimensional objects with the possibility of use of considerably less resources than would be the case in traditional manufacturing. AM is a fast and cost effective method which boasts the ability to produce components with a previously unachievable level of geometric complexity in end user industrial applications in areas such as the aerospace and automotive industries. However these processes currently lack reproducibility and repeatability with some ‘prints’ having a high rate requiring rework or even scrapping. It is therefore imperative that robust quality systems can be implemented such that the waste level of these processes can be eliminated or decreased. This study presents an artefact that has been optimised for characterisation using computed tomography (CT) with representative AM internal channels and structures. Furthermore the optimisation of the CT acquisition conditions for this artefact is presented in light of analysis of form, internal feature dimensions and position and material porosity.