Laser Path Planning and Power Control Strategies for Powder Bed Fusion Systems

Published

August 9, 2016

Author(s)

Ho Yeung, Jorge Neira, Brandon Lane, Jason Fox, Felipe F. Lopez

Abstract

In laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing process, laser scan path, velocity, and power are some of the most important parameters affecting the build quality. Control strategies for laser path and power are implemented and tested on a prototype testbed based on industrial standard G-code type programming language (referred to as AM G-code). The proposed AM G-code demonstrates different modes which define power-velocity-position profiles, and account for the laser and scanner dynamics. AM G-code is interpreted into xy2-100 protocol, and sent to the galvo scanners and laser using a custom transmitter. The actual scan path is compared with the commanded path during controlled tests. The proposed AM G-code interpreter modes are then evaluated considering the measured dynamic system response, and further discussed in contrast to commercial powder bed fusion systems.

Proceedings Title

Proceedings of the Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium

Conference Dates

August 8-10, 2016

Conference Location

Austin, TX, US

Conference Title

Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium

Pub Type

Conferences

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Local Download

Keywords

laser powder bed fusion, additive manufacturing, xy2-100, G-code, galvanometer

Citation

Yeung, H. , Neira, J. , Lane, B. , Fox, J. and Lopez, F. (2016), Laser Path Planning and Power Control Strategies for Powder Bed Fusion Systems, Proceedings of the Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium, Austin, TX, US, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=921536 (Accessed October 10, 2025)