Measurement and characterisation of additively manufactured surface texture

与传统(减法)制造技术相比，AM技术具有许多优势，具有改变制造业范例的潜力。为了将AM技术成功地应用于更广泛的应用领域，AM需要测量、评估和验证AM工艺和AM零件的计量方法，以提高AM产品的精度和可靠性。AM零件的表面几何和表面形貌的复杂性给现有的表面测量技术带来了许多问题，包括触觉、光学和XCT方法。此外，由于AM工艺的性质，AM产生的表面形貌不同于传统机械加工的表面。遵循传统的表面表征方法，不考虑AM表面形貌的独特特征，不能得到可靠和有意义的结果。面对这些挑战，本研究将研究各种测量AM表面纹理的方法的适用性，包括触觉、光学和XCT技术。它还将开发AM层表面的定制表面表征方法，旨在反映AM工艺的特征，以及复杂AM表面所需的先进表面表征方法，目的是预测AM产品的功能。该项目与EPSRC的‘制造未来’主题中的‘制造技术’主题一致，并符合英国AM技术的国家战略。该项目的成果将有助于AM过程的控制，以及AM产品质量的验证。通过在与高价值制造相关的关键行业(包括航空航天、医疗保健、高端汽车和创意产业)开发AM技术，它具有对英国经济产生积极影响的巨大潜力。

Having a number of advantages over conventional (subtractive) manufacturing techniques, AM technologies possess the potential to change the paradigm for manufacturing. To facilitate the successful uptake of AM technologies into a wider range of applications, AM needs metrological methods to measure, evaluate and validate both AM processes and AM parts, in order to improve the accuracy and reliability of AM products.The compound complexities of surface geometry and surface topography of AM parts have caused many problems for existing surface measurement techniques, including tactile, optical and XCT methods. Furthermore, due to the nature of AM processes, the AM-produced surface topography differs from conventionally machined surfaces. Following conventional surface characterisation methods, without considering the unique characteristics of AM surface topography, cannot lead to reliable and meaningful results. This dilemma is further aggravated by the complex surface geometry of the functional AM components, which result in serious distortions to surface characterisation techniques.Facing these challenges, this research programme will investigate the applicability of various methods for the measurement of AM surface texture, including tactile, optical and XCT techniques. It will also develop bespoke surface characterisation methods for AM layer surfaces, aiming to reflect the characteristics of AM processes, and advanced surface characterisation methods needed for complex AM surfaces, with the aim of predicting the functionality of AM products.The project aligns with the EPSRC's 'Manufacturing Technologies' topic within 'Manufacturing the Future' theme, and meets the UK's national strategy on AM technology. The outcome of this project will contribute to the control of AM process, and verification of AM product quality. It has great potential to positively impact on the UK's economy through the exploitation of AM technology in the key sectors concerned with high value manufacturing, including the aerospace, healthcare, high-end automotive and creative industries.