Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Metal flow in laser additive manufacturing using x-ray imaging and machine learning

Project description

Revealing keyhole dynamics in metal 3D printing

Laser metal deposition (LMD) is a 3D printing process that offers tremendous geometric freedom when repairing damaged metal parts. The process uses a laser beam to melt metal powder in a continuous stream to build up a part. The promise of LMD to revolutionise metal processing is constrained by a widespread problem: the creation of tiny gas pockets – keyhole voids – in the final stage that can lead to reduced mechanical properties. The EU-funded MFILAMUXIAML project will combine X-ray imaging techniques with machine learning to better examine the dynamics of the keyhole phenomenon. Research results could serve as a guide to optimising the process parameters and improve the quality of the 3D printed parts.

Objective

Additive Manufacturing (AM) has been a hot topic for many years. A fundamental understanding of the metal flows in the molten pool is critical to improving the quality of the sample produced by AM. Laser metal deposition (LMD) is one of the most widely used AM methods, which has a high production efficiency, and a special application in repairing the damaged parts with large size and high price. During the LMD process, a powdery filler is injected from the nozzle onto the surface of the base metal, and a laser beam is used to melt the powders and surface of a specimen. Dynamics of the keyhole and molten pool will determine the temperature distribution and the profile of the molten pool, thus affecting the microstructure of the printed bead. It is difficult to observe the dynamics of the molten pool in AM directly with a camera because the molten pool is surrounded by the solid metal. The objectives of this proposal are to reveal the dynamic characteristics of the keyhole and molten pool in LMD and provide a guide for choosing the proper production parameters for defect-free AM. To achieve the objectives, the X-ray imaging system in the host institute will be used to observe the dynamics of the keyhole and molten pool. With the high-melting-point tungsten particles as the tracers mixed with the metal powders, the flow of the liquid metal in the molten pool could be observed. The machine learning technique is then used to track the flow of the tungsten particles, which makes the quick determination of the flow routes and velocities of the liquid metal possible. The novelty of this proposal is that the x-ray imaging method combined with the machine learning technique is first used to visualize the dynamics of the keyhole and molten pool in LMD. This research could provide a guide for optimizing the process parameters and improving the AM quality, and the achievement of this research could contribute to the development of LMD in the industry.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2019

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 212 933,76
Address
GOWER STREET
WC1E 6BT LONDON
United Kingdom

See on map

Region
London Inner London — West Camden and City of London
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 212 933,76
My booklet 0 0