Additive Manufacturing: 100% Quality Inspection

Fast, Clean, Whole-Body NDT using Resonance for Additively Manufactured Parts

NDT-Lattice-Parts-application-2Do you produce additively manufactured metal or ceramic parts requiring 100% inspection? Is CT challenging and expensive? Are you having trouble finding a simpler inspection method to help increase throughput and accuracy? Non-Destructive Testing using Resonant Acoustic Method, NDT-RAM, could be an ideal solution for you.

With an NDT-RAM system, surface roughness or part shape are no cause for concern. Performing a test with a simple pass / fail sort is as fast as one to three seconds per part*. After this initial round of 100% inspection is complete, any parts that have failed the pre-established criteria can be run through a secondary inspection method such as CT or x-ray testing to determine the type or location of the defect in the part. Using NDT-RAM to screen your parts delivers an efficient initial analysis without the typical time and expense related to using other methods on each and every part produced. This allows you to keep production flowing. When a defective part is identified, you'll be able to focus time and attention to understand the underlying cause of the failure and eliminate future issues.

Unlike extremely high volume production applications in which a product has been produced in the same format for many years, the innovative nature of additively manufactured parts demands a different approach to inspection. Our NDT-RAM engineers understand the need to ensure the quality of both your process and the final product produced. Other inspection methods such as Eddy Current and ultrasonic testing often have issues with the surface roughness and part shape complexity. With an NDT-RAM system, the surface texture of the part isn't a concern, we simply need to impact the part to help you determine if it is within the limits of conformance. NDT-RAM technology allows you to test your parts at any point in the manufacturing process - post build, post HIP, post machining, post heat treating.

Typical Defects Detectable with NDT‑RAM

  • Cracks
  • Voids
  • Missing materials
  • Lack of fusion
    • Layer delamination
    • Unmelted powder
    • Trapped powder
  • Material changes
  • Mixed product
  • Global property shifts
  • Density
  • Inclusion
  • Residual Stress

Typical Applications

  • Medical device parts
  • Human body implants
  • Automotive components
  • Aerospace components
  • Any application requiring 100% inspection

NDT‑RAM System Solutions for Additively Manufactured Parts

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Small Part Drop Test Fixture | Model RAM-DROP

RAM-DROP automates easily with typical small part automation components like bowl feeders or vibratory tables and is instrumented with a laboratory grade force sensor, microphone and digital signal analyzer while still being rugged enough for the manufacturing environment. With typical throughput speeds of one to three seconds per part, RAM-DROP offers a simple pass/fail result, and parts are automatically sorted via a controlled servo motor.
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Test Station | Model RAM-TEST-FIXTURE

RAM-TEST-FIXTURE allows for testing of a range of part sizes. The Test Station provides repeatable manual inspections through precise control of part positioning with an adjustable test table, photo eye sensors, and an integrated industrial impactor. The system includes a laptop PC running the NDT-RAM software, which acquires data for analysis, and a light tower that provides a clear, visual indication of a part’s test status (PASS or FAIL) after impact, for the quality inspector to sort accordingly. 
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Semi-Automated System | Model RAM-TEST-SEMI

RAM-TEST-SEMI is an ideal system for easy integration into an existing production line. The system includes all of the core components of NDT-RAM, including the smart digital controller, industrial impact hammer, microphone, software, and industrial PC. The system can directly interface with any programmable logic controller and become an integral piece of your existing quality inspection system.

 

Learn More About Additive Manufacturing

*Typical part throughput based on part size. May be faster or slower depending on part size and production.