Renishaw Introduces New Software to Improve Additive Manufacturing (AM) Quality

Renishaw, a precision engineering and manufacturing technologies company, recently launched its InfiniAM Sonic acoustic process monitoring software to complement its InfiniAM suite of additive manufacturing (AM) monitoring tools. InfiniAM Sonic enables engineers to detect acoustic events within the AM build chamber and turn this data into useful information about build quality. 

The InfiniAM Sonic package is installed into the RenAM 500Q system as a factory-installed option and includes four acoustic energy sensors to detect vibration in the build. The sensors detect minute vibrations and collect the sound waves so that they can be heard, viewed and analyzed. Using four high-frequency sensors in different locations results in a slight time difference due to the speed of sound.

The software uses this to triangulate the position of the noise on the build plate, providing a level of assurance regarding where the noise occurred, as well as the magnitude. This data can then be combined graphically with other sensor data to build a comprehensive view of the part and the conditions at the time of build.

InfiniAM Sonic works in conjunction with InfiniAM Central and InfiniAM Spectral. The InfiniAM Central mobile app is also available, so that users can receive notifications on their build process in near real time.

“The rapid heating and cooling that takes place during an AM build leads to residual stress in the part,” explains David Ewing, AM product manager at Renishaw. “While each laser weld results in a small amount of stress, residual stress can build up within the part, and if it increases past the strength of the metal, it may lead to a fracture in the support material or the part itself.”

“Renishaw’s InfiniAM software suite makes it a lot easier to understand what is happening during an AM build,” continues Ewing. “Spectral and Central give manufacturers 'eyes' inside their AM component and process—now we’ve launched InfiniAM Sonic as the 'ears.’ These tools help engineers better understand their AM parts and processes, and identify potential causes of defects early in the process.” 

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.

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