Activity model for homogenization of data sets in laser-based powder bed fusion
Abstract
Purpose
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 because of 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 aims to provide a reference model for data sharing of the activities to be under-taken in the AM process, laser-based powder bed fusion (PBF).
Design/methodology/approach
The activity model identifies requirements for developing a process data model. The authors’ 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.
Findings
This model in this paper provides the means to understand the organization of process activities and sub-activities and the flows among them in AM PBF processes.
Research limitations/implications
The model is for modeling AM activities and data associated with these activity. Data modeling is not included in this work.
Social implications
After modeling the selected PBF process and its sub-processes as activities, the authors discuss requirements for developing 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.
Originality/value
Fundamental challenges in sharing/reusing data among heterogeneous systems include the lack of common data structures, vocabulary management systems and data interoperability methods. In this paper, the authors investigate these challenges specifically as they relate to process information for PBF – how it is captured, represented, stored and accessed. To do this, they focus on using methodical, information-modeling techniques in the context of design, process planning, fabrication, inspection and quality control.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Published 2017. This article is a US government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
This work was partially funded through a collaborative agreement with Washington State University, IPA Agreement #1406.
Disclaimer: Certain commercial software products or services may be identified in this paper. These products or services were used only for demonstration purposes. This use does not imply approval or endorsement by NIST, nor does it imply that these products are necessarily the best for the purpose. This material is declared a work of the US Government. This work was authored as part of the author’s official duties as an employee of the United States Government and therefore there is no copyright associated with the article.
Citation
Feng, S.C., Witherell, P., Ameta, G. and Kim, D.B. (2017), "Activity model for homogenization of data sets in laser-based powder bed fusion", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 23 No. 1, pp. 137-148. https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-11-2015-0160
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2017, Emerald Publishing Limited