Investigation of geometric properties achieved by additive manufacturing

Abstract

Additive manufacturing allows the manufacturing of component complex in shape, which would be impossible to manufacture by conventional methods quickly and efficiently. Evaluation of geometric properties of the manufactured component is one of the critical steps before deployment of the additive manufacturing in aviation. Both micro- and macro-geometry needs to be properly assessed. This paper presents viable methods for both evaluation and assessment of the surface of the manufactured component, which is directly dependent on the parameters selected during the manufacturing. Monitored parameters were chosen based on the shape of the tested component. Selected parameter from macrogeometry is roundness and deviation of roundness from diameter. As for microgeometry, the surface roughness was explored. Considering the complex shape of the surface of the tested component, the proper parameter to describe the surface roughness had to be found as well.