In situ monitoring of the layer height in laser powder bed fusion

In situ process monitoring has frequently been cited as an critical requirement in certifying the performance of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) components for use in high integrity applications. Despite much development in addressing this need, little attention has been been paid to monitoring the layer thickness during the process. In this paper, a laser displacement sensor has been integrated into the build chamber of an LPBF machine, and the height of the top surface layer of a component has been monitored during a build. This has permitted the deposited layer thickness to be measured throughout the build, and the effect on this of a change in processing conditions is characterised. The thermal contraction of the top layer in between successive laser scans has also been evaluated. This demonstrates the potential of utilising laser displacement sensory as a process monitoring tool in LPBF and provides insightful data for implementation in detailed process models.