Activity Model for Homogenization of Data Sets in Laser-based Powder Bed Fusion

Published

January 14, 2017

Author(s)

Shaw C. Feng, Paul W. Witherell, Duck B. Kim

Abstract

Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes are the integration of many different science and engineering-related disciplines, such as material metrology, design, process planning, in-situ and off-line measurements, and controls. Major integration challenges arise due to the increasing complexity of AM systems and a lack of support among vendors for interoperability. The result is that data cannot be readily shared among the components of that system. In an attempt to better homogenization this data, this paper provides a reference model for data sharing of the activities to be under-taken in the AM process, laser-based Powder Bed Fusion (PBF). The activity model identifies requirements for developing a process data model. Our approach begins by formally decomposing the PBF processes using an activity-modeling methodology. The resulting activity model is a means to structure process-related PBF data and align that data with specific PBF sub-processes. This model also provides the means to understand the organization of process activities and sub-activities, and the flows among them. After modeling the selected PBF process and its sub-processes as activities, we discuss requirements for the development of more advanced process data models. Such models will provide a common terminology and new process knowledge that improve data management from various stages in AM.

Citation

Rapid Prototyping Journal

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

additive manufacturing, powder bed fusion, process data interoperability, systems integration.

Citation

Feng, S. , Witherell, P. and Kim, D. (2017), Activity Model for Homogenization of Data Sets in Laser-based Powder Bed Fusion, Rapid Prototyping Journal (Accessed May 8, 2024)