AMMT-TEMPS

Additive Manufacturing Metrology Testbed (AMMT)

The NIST Additive Manufacturing Metrology Testbed is a fully custom, open-platform laser powder bed fusion (LBPF) system to advance monitoring, controls, and metrology research.  In addition to research specific to AM, the system employs a suite radiometric calibration and measurement instruments that enable the Temperature and Emittance of Melts, Powders, and Solids (TEMPS).  The AMMT/TEMPS is a collaborative development between NIST Engineering Laboratory (EL) and Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) with shared metrology goals of traceable, multi-spectral radiometric measurements of laser-heated materials. 

AMMT and TEMPS Research Goals:

1. Build an open-platform LPBF testbed instrumented for fundamental process study and optimization, as well as optical metrology (AMMT).
2. Research the measurement science of various real time monitoring and control methods for measuring and improving AM build quality (AMMT).
3. Establish new emittance measurement capability for materials in various stages of aggregation over solid and liquid-phase temperatures (TEMPS).
4. Develop new NIST calibration services and standard reference data on polymers, ceramics, high temperature alloys, composites, and coatings (TEMPS).
5. Develop capacity to accurately measure temperature distribution across the melt pool under laboratory conditions (common goal).
6. Study methods for real-time process thermometry in the production environment (common goal).

NIST's 3D Printer Testbed

AMMT/TEMPS System Overview (click on title for high-res images in pdf)

AMMT Background and Research Goals	Mechanical and Optical System Design	TEMPS Background and Research Goals

Example Capabilities and Measurements

• Fully custom laser scanner control
• Calibrated radiance temperature, emittance, and true melt pool temperature
• Process monitored 3D metal AM builds
• High speed melt pool imaging and associated measurements
• Laser absorption and melt pool energy balance

Collaboration

NIST is open to collaborations on projects that can make use of the special capabilities of the AMMT.  Unofficial collaborations are preferred, with topics that fall under the research goals of the AMMT and the Measurement Science for Additive Manufacturing Program, and any results can be made public and co-published by NIST.  Official collaborations can be conducted through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA).

Want to work with the AMMT? Various opportunities exist for guest researchers, post-doctoral researcher associates, or for Ph.D. students through the NIST Pathways internship program.  

NIST Staff

Brandon Lane

Steven Grantham

Sergey Mekhontsev

Ho Yeung

David Deisenroth

Jorge Neira

Vladimir.Khromchenko [at] nist.gov (Vladimir Khromchenko)

Clarence Zarobila

Jarred Tarr