Control Methods for the Electron Beam Free Form Fabrication Process

Abstract

Engineering a closed-loop control system for an electron beam welder for additive manufacturing is challenging. For earth and space based applications, components must work in a vacuum and optical components must be protected from becoming occluded with metal vapor. For extraterrestrial applications added components increase launch weight and increase complexity. Here we present three different control methods for electron beam free form fabrication. A relatively simple coarse feedback control method is introduced that couples path planning and electron beam parameter controls into the build process to increase flexibility and improve build quality. The different approaches may be applied separately or together to provide enhanced EBF3 system performance.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 2007
Accession Number
ADA517095

Entities

People

  • K. M. Taminger
  • W. J. Seufzer

Organizations

  • Langley Research Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Additive Manufacturing
  • Chemistry
  • Closed Loop Systems
  • Computer-Aided Design
  • Control Systems
  • Deposition (Materials Processing)
  • Electron Beams
  • Electrons
  • Fabrication
  • Feedback
  • Geometry
  • Manufacturing
  • Materials
  • Quality Control
  • Subtractive Fabrication

Readers

  • Control Systems Engineering.
  • Pulsed Power and Plasma Physics.
  • Software Engineering

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Graphene
  • Space
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers