Powder Bed Laser Metal Melting (PBF-LB/M) is a key technology in the field of additive manufacturing, enabling the production of highly complex, high-performance metal parts with customized material and functional properties. With applications in a wide range of industries - from aerospace and medical technology to automotive - it is recognized as an important pioneering technology for the future of manufacturing. Advances in process monitoring and control are critical to further improving the quality, repeatability and efficiency of manufacturing processes.

A central challenge is the precise analysis of the layer-by-layer laser melting process, which has a decisive impact on part quality. As part of their research to improve process stability and efficiency, students and researchers at Allan University's Center for Laser Applications are conducting global, dynamic observations of the PBF-LB/M process. In the context of high-speed process control based on temperature feedback, the researchers are investigating phenomena such as spatter and soot formation, solidification behavior, and the safe movement of mechanical parts during additive manufacturing. This is complemented by a high-resolution static analysis of the geometry of the remelted part layer and the precise detection of potential defects in the powder layer in order to be able to make well-founded conclusions about the quality of the final part.

The imaging components for this project are two high-performance USB3 industrial cameras from iDS Imaging Development Systems, an in-depth partner of Hongke.