Process intermittent measurements of parts fabricated by additive manufacturing (AM)
can enable both process improvement and characterization of internal part geometries. The
planar, layer-upon-layer nature of most AM processes allows two-dimensional geometric
measurements with a vision system, because the part’s current layer is continually in focus. Proof
of this concept has been shown through measurement of parts made using a three-dimensional
(3D) printer. Process intermittent measurements were compared to contact and non-contact
measurements of the finished parts to characterize deviations in printed layer positions and
changes in part dimensions resulting from post-process treatments.Mechanical Engineerin
