NISTIR 8036

Measurement Science Needs for Real-time 

Control of Additive Manufacturing Powder 

Bed Fusion Processes 

Mahesh Mani

Brandon Lane

Alkan Donmez

Shaw Feng

Shawn Moylan

Ronnie Fesperman

This publication is available free of charge from:

http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.8036
NISTIR 8036

Measurement Science Needs for Real-time 

Control of Additive Manufacturing Powder 

Bed Fusion Processes 

Mahesh Mani

Shaw Feng

Systems Integration Division

Engineering Laboratory

Brandon Lane

Alkan Donmez

Shawn Moylan

Ronnie Fesperman

Intelligent Systems Division

Engineering Laboratory

This publication is available free of charge from:

http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.8036

February 2015

U.S. Department of Commerce 

Penny Pritzker, Secretary

National Institute of Standards and Technology 

Willie E. May, Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Director 
ii

Table of Contents

1 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................1

2 OVERVIEW OF POWDER BED FUSION PROCESS...............................................................1

3 LITERATURE REVIEW............................................................................................................2

3.1 CURRENT CONTROL SCHEMES IN AM........................................................................................3

3.1.1 PBF-RELATED PROCESS CONTROL ....................................................................................................3

3.1.2 NON-PBF RELATED PROCESS CONTROL............................................................................................5

3.2 PROCESS MEASUREMENTS ........................................................................................................6

3.2.1 PRE-PROCESS MEASUREMENTS .........................................................................................................6

3.2.2 IN-PROCESS MEASUREMENTS............................................................................................................8

3.2.3 POST-PROCESS MEASUREMENTS .....................................................................................................11

3.3 MODELING AND SIMULATION..................................................................................................16

3.3.1 MODELING AND SIMULATION METHODS.........................................................................................16

3.3.2 PARAMETER-SIGNATURE-QUALITY RELATIONSHIPS .....................................................................17

4 IMPLICATIONS FOR PROCESS CONTROL ........................................................................21

4.1 PARAMETERS-SIGNATURES-QUALITIES CATEGORIZATION .....................................................21

4.2 CORRELATIONS ......................................................................................................................24

4.3 RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES ....................................................................................................28

5 CONCLUSIONS .......................................................................................................................29

DISCLAIMER................................................................................................................................30

REFERENCES...............................................................................................................................30

APPENDIX A.................................................................................................................................40
iii

Abstract: Additive Manufacturing is increasingly used in the development of new products: from 

conceptual design to functional parts and tooling. However, today, variability in part quality due to 

inadequate dimensional tolerances, surface roughness, and defects, limits its broader acceptance for highvalue or mission-critical applications. While process control in general can limit this variability, it is 

impeded by a lack of adequate process measurement methods. Process control today is based on heuristics 

and experimental data, yielding limited improvement in part quality. The overall goal is to develop the 

measurement science1 necessary to make in-process measurement and real-time control possible in 

additive manufacturing. Traceable dimensional and thermal metrology methods must be developed for 

real-time closed-loop control of additive manufacturing processes. As a precursor, this report presents a 

review on the additive manufacturing control schemes, process measurements, and modeling and 

simulation methods as it applies to the powder bed fusion process, though results from other processes are 

reviewed where applicable. The aim of the review is to identify and summarize the measurement science 

needs that are critical to real-time process control. We organize our research findings to identify the 

correlations between process parameters, process signatures, and product quality. The intention of this 

report is to serve as a background reference and a go-to place for our work to identify the most suitable 

measurement methods and corresponding measurands for real-time control.

Keywords: additive manufacturing, powder bed fusion, real-time control, measurement science, 

correlations, process parameters, process signatures, product quality 

 

1 Measurement science broadly includes: development of performance metrics, measurement and testing methods, predictive modeling and simulation tools, 

knowledge modeling, protocols, technical data, and reference materials and artifacts; conduct of inter-comparison studies and calibrations; evaluation of 

technologies, systems, and practices, including uncertainty analysis; development of the technical basis for standards, codes, and practices in many instances via 

test-beds, consortia, standards and codes development organizations, and/or other partnerships with industry and academia.
1

1 Introduction

Additive manufacturing is increasingly used in the development of new products: from prototypes to 

functional parts and tooling. Additive manufacturing (AM) [1] is also referred to as rapid prototyping, 

additive fabrication, freeform fabrication, 3D printing, and rapid manufacturing, and uses advanced 

technologies to fabricate parts by joining and building up material layer-by-layer. According to [2] “the 

expected long-term impact is in highly customized manufacturing, where AM can be more cost-effective 

than traditional methods.” According to an industry report by Wohlers Associates [3], by 2015 the sale of 

AM products and services could reach $3.7 billion worldwide, and by 2019, exceed $6.5 billion.

However, research is still required to fully realize the potential of AM, particularly for complex metal 

components (e.g., aerospace parts or automotive parts). 

The widespread adoption of AM is challenged by part quality issues, such as dimensional and form errors, 

undesired porosity, delamination of layers, as well as poor or undefined material properties. Once the 

input material is established, part quality issues may be attributed to the AM process parameter settings, 

typically chosen today by a trial-and-error method. This approach is time consuming, inaccurate, and 

expensive. It is important to establish correlations between the AM process parameters and the 

process/part characteristics, to ensure desirable part quality and promote widespread adoption of AM 

technology. Once the correlations are established, in-process sensing and real-time control of AM process 

parameters can be done to minimize variations during the AM build process to ensure resulting product 

quality and production throughput. 

According to a roadmap workshop on the measurement science needs for metal-based AM [4], [5] hosted 

by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), closed-loop control systems for AM was 

identified as an important technology and measurement challenge vital for: monitoring of process and 

equipment performance, assurance of part adherence to specifications, and the ability to qualify and 

certify parts and processes. Part quality in AM, defined by geometry, mechanical properties, and physical 

properties, is highly variable thereby limiting AM’s broad acceptance. This variability can be reduced 

through robust process control. 

Based on a literature review, the scope of this report is to identify the measurement science needs for realtime monitoring and control of powder bed fusion (PBF) processes. The report is subsequently organized 

as follows: Section 2 first presents an overview of the PBF process. Section 3 presents a literature review

according to the review strategy to potentially identify the correlations between process parameters, 

process signatures, and product quality. Section 4 then presents the implications for real-time process 

control followed by a summary on the potential research opportunities. Section 5 concludes the report.

2 Overview of powder bed fusion process

Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) is one of the seven categories of AM processes defined in ASTM F2792 [1]. 

PBF processes use thermal energy to selectively fuse areas of a layer of powder using laser or an electron 

beam as the energy source [1]. When the energy source traces the geometry of an individual layer onto 
2

the top surface of the powder bed, the energy from the beam spot is absorbed by the exposed powder 

causing that powder to melt. This small molten area is often described as the melt-pool. Individual

powder particles are fused together when the melt-pool re-solidifies. After one layer is completed, the 

build platform is lowered by the prescribed layer thickness, and a new layer of powder from the dispenser 

platform is swept over the build platform, filling the resulting gap and allowing a new layer to be built. 

Figure 1 depicts one such process that uses a laser beam as the energy source. When a part build is 

completed, it is fully buried within the powder in the build platform.

Figure 1. Components of the build chamber: (a) photograph showing the positions of the build platform, 

powder dispenser platform, and recoating blade, and (b) schematic depicting the process of recoating and 

spreading a new layer of powder over the previously fused layers of the part

There are several different types of PBF commercial systems that can produce either polymer or metal 

parts. Today, most of the commercially available metal-based AM systems are PBF processes [3]. Some 

varieties/ variations of PBF processes use low power lasers to bind powder particles by only melting the 

surface of the powder particles (called selective laser sintering or SLS) or a binder coating the powder 

particles. These processes produce green parts that require further post-processing to infiltrate and sinter

the parts to make them fully dense. Another class of PBF processes uses high power energy beams to 

fully melt the powder particles, which then fuse together to the previous layer(s) when the molten 

material cools, e.g., selective laser melting (SLM), direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), or electron-beam 

melting (EBM). Repeating this process, layer-by-layer, directly results in a part with near 100% density, 

even in metals. These processes are of primary interest to this study. General specifications for metalbased PBF systems can be seen in the Appendix.

3 Literature Review 

The central idea to the review strategy followed in this report is to identify the correlations between 

process parameters, process signatures, and product qualities to exploit these relationships in the

monitoring and control solutions. AM process parameters are the ‘inputs’ and primarily determine the 

rate of energy delivered to the surface of the powder and how that energy interacts with material. We 

categorize process parameters into either controllable (i.e., possible to continuously modify), such as laser 

power and scan speed, or predefined (i.e., set at the beginning of each build) material properties, such as 

Build 

Platform

Dispenser 

Platform

Recoating 

Blade

(a) (b) Build Platform

Dispenser Platform

Recoating Blade

= Powder

= Part

= Supports

Laser

f-θ lens
3

powder size and distribution. The process signatures are dynamic characteristics of the powder heating, 

melting, and solidification processes as they occur during the build. These are categorized into either

observable (i.e., can be seen or measured), such as melt-pool shape and temperature, or derived (i.e.,

determined through analytical modeling or simulation), such as melt-pool depth and residual stress. 

Process signatures significantly influence the final product qualities. Those product qualities are 

categorized into geometrical, mechanical, and physical qualities. Identifying the correlations between 

process parameters, process signatures, and product qualities, as shown in Figure 2, should facilitate the 

development of the in-process sensing and real-time control of AM process parameters to characterize 

and control the AM PBF process.

Figure 2. Correlations between process parameters, process signature and product qualities

We group the review into three categories: control schemes, process measurements, and modeling and 

simulation efforts as applicable to real-time process control.

3.1 Current control schemes in AM

This section reviews previous research efforts that are directly or potentially applicable to a closed-loop 

adaptive control system that utilizes melt-pool temperature and size, layer-by-layer part geometry, or 

defect characteristics as feedback. 

3.1.1 PBF-related process control

In the reported studies, the melt-pool temperature and size are most often assumed to be the critical 

control factor influencing the outcome of the process. 

The group at the Katholic University of Leuven developed a control system for a laser-based PBF system 

based on real-time monitoring of the melt-pool [6]. The melt-pool was monitored using a complementary 

metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera and a photodiode placed coaxially with the laser. The image 

from the camera was used to determine the melt-pool geometry. Based on their observation they found 

the photodiode signal correlated well with the melt-pool area. They used this area-based signature as 

feedback to control the laser power and showed improved surface roughness. Later, they extended their 

process control efforts by introducing an on-line control methodology using two complementary 

measurement systems: (1) visual inspection of powder deposition, and (2) real-time monitoring of meltpool, i.e., measuring both melt-pool geometry and infrared (IR) radiation intensity signal [7]. They state

that the melting process is influenced by more than 50 parameters, which are classified as input 

Correlations

Correlations Correlations

Process Signatures

Observable Derived

Process Parameters

Controllable Predefined

Product Qualities

Geometric Mechanical Physical
4

parameters (such as scanning, deposition, and atmosphere) and boundary conditions (such as material 

properties, geometric parameters, machine parameters), and concede that monitoring or controlling all 

parameters is a significant challenge. This work extended their measurement system to include a visiblelight camera overlooking the entire build platform, which detected defects due to recoating blade wear as 

well as local damage of the blade. The same melt-pool monitoring system calculated melt-pool geometry 

(characterized as length-to-width ratio) in real-time. Results showed increasing photodiode intensities 

apparently due to defective layer-size control. This was attributed to overheating of the melt-pool during 

acute corners of the laser scan path. The optical system was further developed to detect process failures in 

each build layer by mapping the melt-pool temperature signatures as a function of the X-Y laser beam 

position on each layer [8]. Using such maps in real-time, the group was able to detect deformation due to 

thermal stresses and overheating zones due to overhangs. 

Mumtaz and Hopkinson studied the effect of heat delivered to the melt-pool, i.e., the laser material 

interaction zone, to determine the roughness of the surface generated by the solidified melt-pool [9]. Heat 

affected zone (HAZ) is the area near and including the melt-pool that is directly affected by high local 

temperatures. Using a pulsed laser system, they experimented with various pulse shapes to distribute 

energy within a single laser pulse. It was proposed that the use of pulse shaping would offer precise and 

tailored control over the heat input and would allow refining and improvement over the use of standard 

rectangular pulses. The height of the laser-induced plasma plume was measured using a video camera to 

identify the correlation between the pulse shapes and the amount of spatter generated during processing. 

The added degree of control through pulse shaping resulted in a combined lower surface roughness on the 

top and side of the part.

Ning et al. studied the accuracy of a PBF system by investigating the percentage shrinkage due to 

different geometric shapes. They experimentally studied the effect of 2-D geometric shape factors on 

dimensional accuracy and later used that information to analyze the effect of different geometric shapes 

on the dimensional accuracy of the part. They regarded a change in the dimensional accuracy of the 2-D 

layer as a composite effect of the voxels. Each hatch vector (identified as a dexel) on a 2-D layer was 

used to denote a corresponding voxel. Based on this model, different geometric shapes can be regarded as 

different combinations of dexels. Analyzing the accuracy due to the effect of geometric shapes can be 

considered similar to analyzing the effect of the dexels and their interaction. Based on an empirical 

relationship, they developed a speed compensation method. The method involved controlling the scan 

speed and laser power separately or together for individual dexels to improve the accuracy of the 

fabricated parts [10]. Simchi, Petzoldt and Pohl reported on improving the accuracy of the sintered parts 

by using an integrated beam compensation technique, where the laser beam diameter is offset to 

compensate for the observed dimensional error as a result of the shrinkage. The process was strongly 

affected by shape, size, and distribution of the particles, and the chemical constituents of the powder. It 

was evident that the final part density strongly depends on the duration time of the laser beam on the 

surface of the powder particles. The study purported that by using optimized process parameters, such as 

scanning speed and scanning pattern accompanied by predefined powder characteristics such as particle 

size and distribution, high-density functional prototypes with superior mechanical properties can be 

produced. Further sintering behavior, mechanical properties, and microstructural features of the multicomponent iron-based powder were studied and presented [11]. Similar works based on laser beam offset 

were also reported in [12], [13].
5

3.1.2 Non-PBF related process control

Although the application of control systems specific for PBF processes in the literature is sparse, research 

on controlling other AM processes, notably in directed energy deposition (DED) processes, has been 

reported in the last two decades. DED processes use thermal energy to fuse materials by melting as they 

are being deposited [1].

Doumanidis and Kwak describe an optimized closed-loop control system (based on lumped parameter

multi-input multi-output) for DED processes [14]. The control scheme is based on measuring bead 

profile geometry using a laser optical scanner and infrared (IR) pyrometry. The control involves

modulating process input parameters, such as thermal source power, source velocity, material transfer 

rate, and direction of material transfer with respect to source velocity. Using analytical models based on 

mass, momentum and energy balance of melt-pool, as well as solid conduction in the substrate, they 

generated relationships between input parameters and the bead profile. A simplified proportional-integralderivative (PID) control system was implemented using the cross-sectional area of the bead as the scalar 

error (actual versus expected area) and the thermal source velocity as the input parameter. Due to 

practical limitations, the bead profile measurements are time delayed compared to process parameter 

inputs, which are handled by using a "Smith-predictor" scheme in the controller.

The control of melt-pool size under steady-state conditions over the full range of process variables was 

reported for a particular DED process (defined in this case as laser engineered net shaping, LENS) [14].

The control later extended to consider melt-pool size under transient conditions and as a function of 

process size scale [15]–[18]. Numerically determined melt-pool temperature response times were used to 

establish a lower bound on the response times for thermal feedback control systems. Similar works have 

been reported in [19].

Cohen developed a control system for droplet-based DED processes using the part geometry to determine 

the locations of subsequent droplets to compensate for geometric inaccuracies [20]. Using geometric

measurements and a model of the target object, the system chooses appropriate locations for subsequent 

droplets such that the fabricated part ultimately matches the target geometry. The system chooses these 

deposition locations from a set of candidate locations by selecting 'best' candidates with the highest 

scores, as defined by a user-selected scoring algorithm. 

Bi et al. investigated a closed-loop control of a DED process, based on the IR-temperature signal, for 

deposition of thin walls [21]. A PID controller was built between a photodiode and laser in the control 

system. The IR-radiation from the melt-pool was detected by the photodiode and converted to a 

temperature signal. The actual value of the temperature signal was compared with a set-value. The PIDcontroller created a control variable out of the deviation to regulate the laser power, so that the melt-pool

temperature was controlled. The results showed that the process control with a path-dependent set-value 

could notably improve the homogeneity of the microstructure and hardness as well as the dimensional 

accuracy of the deposited samples. 

Hu and Kovacevic studied real-time sensing and control to achieve a controllable powder delivery for the 

fabrication of functionally-graded material using DED processes [22]. An optoelectronic sensor was 

developed for sensing the powder delivery rate in real-time at a high sampling frequency. To achieve 

consistent processing quality, a closed-loop control system was developed for heat input control in the 
6

DED process based on the observed IR image of the HAZ. The experimental results of closed-loop 

controlled DED showed improvement in the geometrical accuracy of the part being built. A threedimensional finite element model was developed to explore the thermal behavior of the melt-pool. The 

results from the finite element thermal analysis were intended to provide guidance for the process 

parameter selection and an information base for further residual stress analysis [22][23]. 

Process maps have often been used as a method to optimize AM processes. For the DED processes, 

Birnbaum et al. considered the transient behavior of melt-pool size, due to a step change in laser power or 

velocity, for dynamic feedback control of melt-pool size using IR imaging techniques. They modeled the 

relationship between the process variables (laser power and velocity) and the desired melt-pool size [17]. 

They proposed a process map approach to condense results from a large number of simulations over the 

full range of process variables into plots process engineers could readily use. Bontha et al. addressed the 

ability of thermal process maps for predicting and controlling the microstructure in DED materials [24]. 

The focus of the work was the development of thermal process maps relating solidification cooling rate 

and thermal gradient (key parameters controlling microstructure) to DED process variables (laser power 

and velocity). 

A closed-loop DED system with image feedback control was patented in 2002 [25]. The feedback 

controls material deposition using real-time analysis of IR radiation images. From the imaging data 

intrinsic parameters such as temperature distribution, size and shape of the molten pool, maximum degree 

of pool superheating, the trailing thermal gradient, and thickness of the deposition are extracted. A 

feedback-based control system then compares the current intrinsic parameters with the target intrinsic 

parameters to generate new control values (laser power and traverse velocity) based on the feedbackdriven adjustments and the predetermined operating schedule. The resulting system can fabricate 

components with a several-fold improvement in dimensional tolerances and surface finish.

The issue of residual stress control for laser-based AM processes has also been addressed using the

process map approach [26], [27]. The thermal gradient behind the melt-pool was used to predict changes 

in residual stress based on thermal simulation results. A method of stress reduction by localized part 

preheating via a dual-beam laser or electron beam system was also proposed [28].

Table 1 in Appendix A summarizes the research efforts applicable to AM PBF control schemes.

3.2 Process Measurements

As mentioned previously, quality of the parts resulting from PBF processes varies significantly and 

depends on many interrelated influencing factors such as powder characteristics, process parameters,

geometry, and other surrounding conditions. To clarify these relationships, researchers use a variety of 

measurement techniques. This section focuses on the pre-process, in-process, and post-process 

measurements described in literature to identify correlations (discussed in Section 4) between the key 

process parameters, process signatures, and product qualities.

3.2.1 Pre-process measurements

Pre-process measurements are generally not directly applicable to in-situ feedback control. However, they 

can potentially be used to define appropriate system input parameters, or supplement a process model for 

use in feed-forward control. They are also crucial to establishing relationships between input process 
7

parameters and process and part characteristics. These measurements often relate to material properties 

(density, thermal conductivity, etc.) and intrinsic properties of the system (laser power, powder 

absorptivity, etc.). Kruth et al. provided a list, based on a literature review, of additional material related 

properties that significantly affect melt-pool signatures: surface tension, viscosity, wetting, thermocapillary effects, evaporation, and oxidation [29]. 

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) summarized metal powder 

characterization methods, in particular those that measure and describe powder size and distribution [30]. 

Another NIST study measured size distribution, particle morphology, chemistry, and density of powders 

and compared sample-to-sample consistency and variability from recycling of used metal powders [31]. 

Amado et al. also reviewed and demonstrated multiple methods of flowability characterization for 

polymer PBF powders for SLS applications [32]. While these works thoroughly described powder 

characterization techniques, they did not investigate the relationships between variations in these 

characteristics and resulting process signatures or final part quality. 

The role of powder size and size distribution in sintering kinetics is well understood, i.e., it affects the 

relative density of the powder, which in turn affects the activation energy required for heated particles to 

coalesce [33], [34]. Smaller powder sizes with higher relative powder densities require less energy to 

sinter. It is known that a wider distribution of particles sizes can allow for higher powder density, since 

smaller particles can fit in the gaps between larger particles. McGeary demonstrated that specific ratios of 

bi-modally distributed powder sizes can achieve an optimal packing density of 84 % with a 1:7 size ratio 

and a 30 % weight fraction consisting of the smaller size [35]. Multimodal distributions could achieve 

even higher densities. 

Higher relative density in powders improves the process by reducing internal stresses, part distortion, and 

final part porosity [29]. High relative densities increase the relative thermal conductivity of the powder 

bed [36], [37] (which is further discussed in Section 3.3). However, this decreases the absorptivity of the 

laser energy in AM systems, counteracting the benefits of a lowered energy barrier [38]. In some 

instances, these effects may negate each other. For example, Karlsson et al. measured little difference in 

hardness, elastic modulus, surface roughness, and macro and micro-structure in laser beam melting of Ti6Al-4V builds when comparing two powder size distributions of 25 μm to 45 μm and 45 μm to 100 μm, 

[39]. Liu et al. also tested two powder distributions (narrow and wide with similar mean values) in the

PBF process under varying scan speeds and laser power levels. They found that the wider particle size 

distribution, i.e., with a higher relative powder density, resulted in higher part density requiring less laser 

energy intensity [40]. Spierings et al. showed that unless a certain relative powder density is achieved, a 

lower scan speed (e.g., higher energy density) is required to produce fully dense parts [41], [42].

Differences in the relation of the powders to the densities, the layer thicknesses, and laser scan speeds 

indicate that powder grain size distribution should be taken into account for optimal results. 

Further, local thermal conductivity has an effect on melt-pool signatures and thus part quality (see Section 

3.3). Although metal powder thermal conductivity has been measured in multiple instances [43], 

conductivity of the fully dense material is generally better known and easier to measure. This 

measurement can be supplemented to models to derive the effective powder conductivity. Gusarov et al. 

demonstrated a method to calculate effective thermal conductivity of powders in which the relative 
8

density, the sphere packing coordination number (i.e., the mean number of the nearest neighbors to each 

particle), and the inter-particle contact size were shown to have the greatest effect [37].

Finally, there are certain pre-process measurements not involving input materials. For example, some part 

quality issues may stem from machine errors. These may include motion and positioning errors (with 

well-established measurement guidelines that may be taken from machine tool standards, e.g., ISO 230-

1), or errors in the laser optics and scanning system. These error sources and solutions for increased 

precision through better design or feedback control are not unique to AM, but relevant also to other 

manufacturing processes. 

3.2.2 In-process measurements

The primary focus of research in in-process monitoring has been associated with determining the 

geometry and the temperature profile of the HAZ. IR thermography and pyrometry are two welldeveloped non-intrusive techniques for the measurement of surface temperatures. There is also some 

reported work on the in-process monitoring of the dimensional accuracy, errors, and defects during the 

build process. A few reports also discuss the in-process measurement of strain-stress.

Surface Temperature measurement

Thermographic imaging of AM processes can be grouped based on the optical path used by the imaging 

system. In co-axial systems, the imager field of view aligns with the laser beam through the beam 

scanning optics [8], [44]–[48]. In these systems, the field of view follows the melt-pool throughout its 

scan trajectory. Alternatively, the imager may be set externally to the build chamber to view the build 

through a window [49]–[53]. An improvised method was developed by Craeghs et al. [8]. Using the coaxial system, they mapped the charge-coupled device (CCD) camera and photo detector signals stemming 

from the melt-pool in the build plane using the XY laser scan coordinates. This created mapped images of 

the entire build area, with more local and detailed signatures of the melt-pool. Through this method, they 

could detect part deformation and overheating near overhanging structures through measured changes in 

the photo-detector signal. A lower signal resulted from the laser defocusing on distorted surfaces. A 

higher signal resulted on overhang surfaces that had less heat sinking support structure, and thereby 

poorer surface quality.

There are several known difficulties with thermography of additive processes. First and foremost, the 

imaged object’s emissivity must be known in order to determine a true thermodynamic temperature from 

radiation-based measurements. Emissivity is likely different for the melt-pool, unconsolidated powder, 

and solidified surface, so a thermal image composed of all three components could give deceptive 

temperature predictions. For example, Rodriguez et al. noted that the powder areas surrounding the 

solidified part surfaces glowed brighter than the part in thermal images even though the powder was 

likely lower temperature [52]. This was attributed to the lower emissivity of the part surface, which 

reduced the imaged radiant intensity in these areas. Several techniques have been used to determine 

emissivity of different build components in AM systems: 1) assume a certain imaged area is at the 

liquidus or solidus temperature of the melt and use this as a reference emissivity [50], [51], [54], 2) create 

an emissivity reference by building and imaging a blackbody cavity [52], [55], or 3) only provide 

temperature without correction for emissivity (e.g., apparent or brightness temperature) or provide raw 

sensor signal values [56]. Another challenge, in particular with co-axial systems, is that f-theta lenses 
9

used in scanning systems induce chromatic or spectral aberrations. This requires that only radiation sensor 

systems with narrow bandwidth near that designed for the f-theta lens may be used accurately [8], [45], 

[57]. Finally, metallic debris from the HAZ can coat a window or viewport used in an AM imaging 

system, and disturb temperature measurements by changing the radiation transmission through the 

window [49], [51], [58]. This is particularly troublesome in electron-beam melting (EBM) systems, and 

prompted Dinwiddie et al. to create a system to continuously roll new kapton film over the viewport in 

order to provide new, unsullied transmission [49].

Several studies using thermography are of particular interest in relating process signatures to either input 

parameters or product qualities. Krauss et. al described the radiance (not temperature) images of the HAZ,

captured by a micro-bolometer, in terms of area, circularity, and aspect ratio [56]. They compared these 

measurands versus scan speed, laser power, hatch distance, scan vector length, layer thickness, and 

changes when the melt-pool passes over an artificial flaw. Despite the relatively slow exposure time and 

limited resolution, they showed that size of the HAZ area was the most suitable measurand to detect 

deviations in scan velocity or laser power. 

Yadroitsev et al. noted how melt-pool temperature, width, and depth in single track scans in selective 

laser melting (SLM) of Ti-6Al-4V increased with laser power and ‘irradiance time’, defined as the ratio 

of laser spot diameter to scanning speed [48]. Peak melt temperature increased with both power and 

irradiance time, but was more sensitive to power over the ranges measured. Melt-pool width and depth 

were measured from cross-sections cut from the melted tracks. They thoroughly characterized the 

microstructure of the SLM material for two scan strategies, and multiple post-build heat treatments. 

However, no definitive comparison of microstructure to the SLM process parameters or the thermal 

measurements was highlighted.

Hofmeister et al. empirically correlated cooling rate behind the melt-pool to the melt-pool size and noted 

how these changed depending on proximity to the build substrate and thus local average thermal 

conductivity in a LENS process [54]. They also noted calculating cooling rate is more difficult in a realtime monitoring system, and measuring melt-pool length as a corollary signature is more feasible. Similar 

to Yadroitsev et al. however, distinct correlations between thermographic process signatures to microstructure were not exemplified.

Santosprito et al. describe a thermography based system to record the movement of heat movement

through the laser track [59]. Since defects (cracks, porosity, etc.) create lower conductivity regions and 

affect heat flow, they can be detected using thermography. However, since the changes due to these 

defects are small, they created new algorithms such as asymmetrical spatial derivative analysis, 

asymmetrical time derivative analysis, and asymmetrical line profile analysis (using multiple image 

frames and image subtraction) to improve the effectiveness of the defect detection. It was reported that a 

minimum defect size around 400 μm is detectable with this system. 

Dinwiddie et al. developed a high speed IR thermographic imaging system with an integration time of 1.0 

ms, retrofitted to a commercial electron beam machine, to monitor beam-powder interaction, quantify 

beam focus size, and detect porosity [60]. To overcome the contamination of the optics due to free metal 

ions released during the process, they designed a shutterless viewing system allowing continuous IR 

imaging of the beam-powder interaction. The paper describes the design of the system as well as

examples of how to use this system in e-beam focus measurement (which requires spatial calibration), 
10

detection of over-melting during preheat, and porosity detection. However, since there was no 

temperature calibration, the images could not be converted to true temperatures. In another study, 

Dinwiddie et al integrated an extended range IR camera into a Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 

machine for imaging of the parts through the front window of the machine [61]. Another IR camera was 

integrated to the liquefier head to obtain higher resolution images of the extrusion process. 

Price et al. described another implementation of near-IR (wavelengths in the range of 780 nm to 1080 nm) 

thermography (with 60 Hz frame rate) for an EBM process [62]. They mounted the IR camera in front of 

the observation window of the machine and monitored the process as it goes through various stages, such 

as platform heating, powder preheating, contour melting, and hatch melting. They were able to measure 

the melt-pool size as well as the temperature profile across the melt-pool. However, they stated that the 

assumptions about the emissivity values are sources of uncertainty. The spatial resolution of the imaging 

system was reported as 12 μm when using a close-up lens.

Pavlov et al. described pyrometric measurements taken co-axial with the laser to monitor the temperature 

of the laser impact zone to detect deviations of process signatures that correlate to deviations of process 

parameters from their set values [63]. This approach relies on the sensitivity of the temperature of HAZ

with respect to process parameters. The laser impact zone surface temperature was measured using a bicolor pyrometer (1.26 μm and 1.4 μm wavelengths with 100 nm bandwidth) covering a circular area of 

560 μm diameter with 50 ms sampling time. A laser spot size of 70 μm diameter results in about a 100 

μm re-melted powder track. A 400 μm diameter optical fiber was used to collect temperature information. 

Temperature was represented as digital signal levels. Using this system, they investigated three strategies,

namely: time variance of pyrometer signal during laser scanning of multiple tracks, changes in pyrometer 

signal as a function of hatch spacing (with thin and thick powder layers), and pyrometer signal changes as 

a function of layer thickness. The authors used this measurement method to differentiate the three process 

strategies proposed. They found that the pyrometer signal from the laser impact zone is sensitive to the

variation of the main operational parameters (powder layer thickness, hatch distance between consecutive 

laser beam passes, scanning velocity, etc.), and could be used for on-line control of manufacturing quality 

[63]. Similar work was reported in [45].

Residual Stress

There are a number of techniques to measure strains and residual stresses in metal components. However, 

the relative part sizes and other physical attributes associated with the scanned region make it extremely 

difficult to apply direct methods of measurement. There are a number of reported indirect measurement 

techniques applicable. These indirect methods monitor physical attributes which are representative of the 

strains and residual stresses. Indirect techniques are based on strain or displacement measurement relating 

to the rebalancing of internal stresses that are released when material is removed or allowed to deform

[64], [65].

Several researchers have reported on surface distortion measurement methods while investigating residual 

stresses [66]–[68]. Robert described a method that involves capturing the topography of the upper surface

laser using a scanning confocal microscopy and deriving the platform’s surface displacement by mapping 

the surface positions before and after the direct laser melting process [69]. Shiomi et al. discussed the use 

of strain gages mounted to the build platform to measure residual stress in-situ [70]. They were able to 

measure the strain changes in a build platform when SLS-induced layers were successively milled off. 
11

They found that the residual stresses decreased (i.e., stress relief) as more layers were removed from the 

built part.

More recently Van Belle et al. investigated residual stresses induced during a PBF process [71]. A strain 

gauge rosette was mounted under a support platform. By monitoring the variation of the strain gauge data, 

residual stress corresponding to elastic bending is calculated in the support and the part, using force 

balance principles.

Geometric Measurements

There is not much work that focuses on the in-process geometric measurements. Cooke and Moylan 

showed that process intermittent measurements can be viable for both process improvement and 

characterization of internal part geometries. 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 [72].

Pedersen et al. [73] discussed a vision system for enhancing build-quality and as a means of geometrical 

verification. Given the very nature of layered manufacturing, a generic geometry reconstruction method 

was suggested, where each layer is inspected prior to addition of the successive layers. The hypothesis 

was that, although most AM processes have a tendency to accumulate stresses and suffer from elastic 

deformations, the non-deformed layers characterized by such systems will yield sufficient data to assess 

whether defects of internal geometries are present. This includes visually present defects from the 

inspected layers. 

Kleszczynki et al. used a high resolution CCD camera with a tilt and shift lens to correct the image 

mounted on the observation window of a commercial PBF machine [74]. The camera has a field of view 

of 130 mm x 114 mm with a pixel size of 5.5 μm x 5.5 μm. They categorized potential error sources 

during the build process and collected images representing these errors.

Table 2 in Appendix A summarizes the research efforts on in-process measurement.

3.2.3 Post-process measurements

The post-process measurements have in general focused on the part quality and are based on the 

following categories: dimensional accuracy, surface roughness, porosity, mechanical properties, residual 

stress, and fatigue. Parts, in the context of this review, consist of standard material testing specimens, 

process/design-specific specimens, and functional parts. This section captures relevant findings and 

correlations that have come from the post-process measurements.

3.2.3.1 Dimensional accuracy

Several papers discuss dimensional accuracy with examples. Yasa et al. investigated the elevated edges of 

parts, using a contact surface profilometer and optical microscope, built using different laser power levels, 

speeds, and scan strategies [75]. The paper identified that certain process parameters and scanning 

strategies could improve flatness of elevated surface. Abd-Elghany evaluated PBF processed parts with 

low-cost powders by measuring dimensions before and after finishing by shot-peening process. Using a

3D scanner it was observed that the part was 2% to 4 % larger than designed before shot peening, and 1.5 

% after. It was also noted that the tolerances were not uniform and varied in the z-direction [76]. Mahesh 
12

et al. investigated the controllable and uncontrollable parameters in a PBF process [13].They identified 

correlation between the controllable process parameters such as scanning speed, laser power, and 

scanning direction on the geometrical profiles of the geometric benchmark part. They reported the 

preferred settings of control parameters based on the analysis of the mean dimensional errors for the 

specific geometric features on the benchmark part. Paul and Anand developed a mathematical analysis of 

the laser energy required for manufacturing a simple part based on laser energy expenditure (minimum 

total area for sintering) of SLS process and its correlation to the geometry [77]. Khaing et al. studied the 

design of metal parts fabricated by PBF [78]. A coordinate measuring machine (CMM) was used to 

measure the dimensional accuracy of the parts. They observed deviations along the X and the Y-axis. The 

values along the Y-axis were the most accurate. They concluded that the optimization of the process 

parameters and the accuracy of the laser scanning units were crucial to improve the dimensional accuracy. 

Krol et al. studied the prioritization of process parameters for an efficient optimization of AM by means 

of a finite element method. They stated that the scanning speed, the support geometry, the preheating 

temperature of the substrate, and the scanning pattern were the most influential parameters for 

dimensional accuracy [79]. Similarly Delgado et al. [80] and Wang et al. [81] also reported on the 

influence of process parameters on part quality. Table 3 in Appendix A summarizes the related research 

on dimensional accuracy as it applies to part quality.

3.2.3.2 Surface quality

Abd-Elghany and Bourell evaluated the surface finish of the PBF processed part with layer thickness of 

30 μm, 50 μm, and 70 μm. The roughness of the top and side surfaces was measured using a scanning 

electron microscopy (SEM), equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyzer. The results of 

this study indicated that large particles inside thick layers could increase surface roughness because the 

volume of particles have a tendency to form voids when they are removed in finishing processes. It was 

also noted that the side surface was smoother at the bottom than at the top [76]. Mumtaz and Hopkinson 

investigated the laser pulse shaping on thin walls of parts built by PBF by relating pulse shape, thin-wall 

width, and plasma plume height to surface roughness using a profilometer, digital calipers, and digital 

video camera. The results of this study indicated that the wall width varied with the pulse shape, which in 

turn influenced the melt-pool width. A suppressed pulse shape that consisted of a high peak power, low 

energy, and short time duration proved to be the most effective pulse shape for PBF [9]. Meier and 

Haberland investigated various process parameters to evaluate their influence on part density and surface 

quality for parts fabricated by PBF [82]. Approaches to improve density, surface quality, and mechanical 

properties were also presented. Related research was also reported in [42], [75], [80]. Table 4 in 

Appendix A summarizes the related research on surface quality.

3.2.3.3 Mechanical properties

Meier and Haberland investigated failures in tensile tests of stainless steel and cobalt-chromium parts. 

The findings showed that the density measurements do not identify deficient connections of consecutive 

layers, and vertically fabricated specimens have lower tensile strengths and elongations [82]. AbdElghany and Bourell also characterized hardness and strength as a function of layer thickness and scan 

speed using hardness, tensile, and compression tests for SLM process. The findings conclude that 

hardness is not much affected within the range of process parameters studied; however, variations in 

hardness due to surface porosity were observed. Strength was good at low scanning speeds and thin 

layers. The parts became brittle with higher layer thickness due to porosity and micro-cracking. 
13

Compression testing resulted in shapes identical to the buckling of solid parts, i.e., layers were very 

coherent and did not separate or slip due to secondary shear forces [76]. Sehrt and Witt investigated a 

dynamic strength and fracture toughness on a cylindrical beam and disk by the rotating bending fatigue 

tests. Specimens were investigated at defined oscillating stresses and the resulting number of cycles that 

led to the failure of the specimen was determined. The findings showed that fatigue strength was 

comparable to conventionally manufactured parts [83]. Storch et al. [84] analyzed material properties of 

sintered metals to qualify metal-based powder systems in comparison to conventional materials used in 

automotive engines and power trains. Key observations included material properties being sensitive to the 

build direction and that material strength increases with the chamber atmospheric temperature.

By studying the material properties and the process parameters, Gibson and Shi concluded that the 

powder properties directly affect the process, which in turn affect the mechanical properties of the 

resultant component [85]. The research concluded that the knowledge of the effects of sintering and postprocesses must be incorporated into design and post processing.

Wegner and Witt developed a statistical analysis to correlate part properties with main influencing 

factors. According to their study, PBF shows non-linear correlations among multiple parameter 

interactions. The four main influences on mechanical properties (i.e., tensile strength, Young’s modulus, 

elongation) were scan spacing, scan speed, layer thickness, and interaction of scan spacing and layer 

thickness [86]. 

Manfredi et al. reported on the characterization of aluminum alloy in terms of size, morphology, and 

chemical composition, through the measurement and evaluation of mechanical and microstructural 

properties of specimens built along different orientations parallel and perpendicular to the powder 

deposition plane [87]. 

Yadroitsev and Smurov studied the effects of the processing parameters such as scanning speed and laser 

power on single laser-melted track formation. Experiments were carried out at different laser power 

densities (0.3 parameter6 W/cm2 by continuous wave Yb-fiber laser. Optimal ratio between laser power 

and scanning speed (process map) for 50 μf layer thickness was determined for various stainless steel 

grade material powders. A considerable negative correlation is found between the thermal conductivity of 

bulk material and the range of optimal scanning speed for the continuous single track sintering [88].

Related research was also reported in [42], [80], [89]- [90].

Table 5 in Appendix A summarizes the related research on mechanical properties.

3.2.3.4 Residual stress

With rapid heating and cooling inherent in any PBF process, especially in a process that fully melts metal 

powder, thermal stress and residual stress certainly affect the resulting parts. These residual stresses are 

most apparent when they cause warping of the part, features, or build platform. As such, residual stress 

has been widely studied by AM researchers [69]- [71], [90]- [102]. Mercelis and Kruth described the 

two mechanisms causing the residual stress: the large thermal gradients that result around the laser spot 

and the restricted contraction during the cooling that occurs when the laser spot leaves the area [96]. 

Withers and Bhadeshia discussed the techniques used to measure residual stress, and most of these 

methods are performed post-process and often require some sort of specimen destruction [100]. The 
14

methods include hole drilling (distortion caused by stress relaxation), curvature (distortion as stresses rise 

or relax), x-ray diffraction (atomic strain gauge), neutrons (atomic strain gauge), ultrasonics (stress related 

changes in elastic wave velocity), magnetic (variation in magnetic domains with stress), and Raman

spectroscopy. Shiomi discussed the use of strain guages mounted to the build platform to measure 

residual stress in-situ [70]. Van Belle et al. expanded upon this method, using a table support mounted to 

the bottom of the build platform [71]. The table support was designed to amplify strain and was 

instrumented with strain gages to measure that strain. A thermocouple was also mounted close to the 

strain gauge to record the temperature evolution for the thermal strain. The removed layer method was 

used and modified to determine the residual stress in the part and the support during the layer addition 

with the measured strains. 

It was observed that many researchers linked process parameters to the residual stress present in the 

resulting parts and investigated strategies to reduce the residual stresses. The most commonly discussed 

method of reducing residual stress was through post process heat treatment [93], [99], [70], [96], although 

these results have little impact on process control. Residual stresses were also significantly reduced by 

heating the build platform [70], [96], i.e., higher heating temperatures resulting in lower residual stresses. 

The path the laser beam follows to trace and fill the geometry (i.e., scan strategy) of each layer has also 

been shown to influence the residual stress present [96], as well as the layer thickness used to build the 

part [71], [94]. Table 6 in Appendix A summarizes the related research on residual stress as it applies to 

part quality.

3.2.3.5 Porosity/Density

The effects of various process parameters on part density for many materials have been investigated and 

the contributors causing porosity have been identified. Laser power, scan speed, scan spacing, and layer 

thickness can be directly related to energy density and thus to part density. Several researchers have 

studied the effects of energy density parameters on different materials like 316L stainless steel [41], [82], 

[103], [104], 17-4 Precipitation Hardening (PH) steel [105], Ti6Al4V [104], and American Iron and Steel 

Institute (AISI)-630 steel [105]. Their efforts suggest a correlation between the energy density and the 

part density. Parthasarathy evaluated the effects of powder particle size, shape, and distribution on the 

porosity of 316L stainless steel [106]. Porosity/density has a direct effect on the mechanical properties of 

components fabricated by PBF [107]. Internal and external pores, voids, and micro-cracks introduced 

during fabrication act as stress concentrators that cause premature failure and thus compromising part 

quality. Fully dense parts (100 % relative density), however, have shown to have mechanical properties 

equal to or better than the properties of wrought materials.

Morgan et al. investigated the effects of re-melting on the density of the part [103]. The density increased 

with decreasing scan speed. Density decreases with decreasing scan spacing but not significantly. The 

plasma recoil compression forces can modify melt-pool shape and affect density. There appeared to be a 

maximum energy density associated with part density. Gu et al. studied the influences of energy density 

on porosity and microstructure of PBF 17-4PH stainless steel parts [108]. They showed that coupons 

fabricated using the same energy density level using different laser powers and scan speeds showed

significantly different levels of porosity. Two types of porosity formation mechanisms were identified and 

discussed. Balling phenomena and high thermal stress cracking were mainly responsible for the porosity 

that occurs at very high laser power and scan speed, while insufficient melting is the primary reason for 

crevices filled with many un-melted powders at very low laser power and scan speed. Also, pores in 
15

coupons manufactured using both high laser power and scan speed exhibit smaller size and more circular 

shape in comparison with pores in coupons manufactured using both low laser power and scan speed.

Chartterjee et al. investigated the effects of the variation of sintering parameters: layer thickness and 

hatching distance on the density, hardness, and porosity of the sintered products [109]. Applying 

statistical design of experiments and regression analysis, they observed that the increasing layer thickness 

and hatching distance results in an increase in porosity that diminishes the hardness and density. 

Related research was also reported in [42], [76], [80], [89], [110]- [111].

Table 7 in Appendix A summarizes the related research on porosity and density as it applies to part 

quality.

3.2.3.6 Fatigue

Fatigue performance is crucial if AM parts are to be used as functional components in dynamic 

environments, e.g., aircraft engines. Under dynamic conditions, AM parts have shown to have a high 

sensitivity to surface quality and internal pores that act as stress risers. Researchers have recently reported 

on studies to characterize fatigue performance, endurance limit, and fracture behavior of AM components 

for various materials that include 15-5PH, 17-4PH, 316L stainless steel, AlSi10Mg, Ti6Al4V, and 

CPG2Ti [42], [83], [93], [108], [112]–[116]. Sehrt and Witt [83] investigated the dynamic strength and 

fracture toughness of 17-4PH stainless steel components using Woehler fatigue tests (i.e., rotating 

bending test) and compact tension tests [ASTM E399, DIN EN ISO 1237]. They found that the fatigue 

strength and the critical stress intensity factor for additively manufactured 17-4PH components are 

comparable to conventionally-manufactured components. Other researchers performed high cycle fatigue 

(HCF) tests described by ASTM E466 [93], [112], [113], [115]. Leuders et al., studied the effects of heat 

treatment and hot isostatic pressing (HIP) for vertically built specimens and found that fatigue life 

increased with increasing temperature [93]. By closing near surface pores, HIP was found to increase the 

fatigue life of Ti6Al4V to a level above two million cycles. In addition to evaluating the fatigue of 

vertically built Ti6Al4V specimens, Rafi et al., also evaluated 15-5PH specimens [117]. Titanium alloy 

Ti6Al4V and 15-5PH specimens were heat treated at 650oC for four hours and at 482oC for precipitation 

hardening, respectively. Their results suggested that the fatigue life of PBF Ti6Al4V specimens is better 

than cast and annealed specimens. However, the endurance limit of 15-5PH was reduced by 20 % when 

compared to conventionally-manufactured components. Spierings et al. compared the endurance limit for 

as-built, machined, and polished specimens [108]. Like Rafi et al., they also reported that the endurance 

limit for 15-5PH was reduced by 20 %. Similarly, the endurance limit for 316L was reduced by 25 % 

when compared to conventionally manufactured components. Spierings et al., also reported that as-built 

specimens were weakest and polished specimens were only slightly better than machined [115]. Brandl et 

al., studied the effects of heat treatment and vertical build orientation on the HCF performance of 

AlSi10Mg samples. The authors concluded that a combination of heat treatment (300 oC) and peakhardness increases fatigue resistance and neutralizes the effects of build orientation. Additionally, the 

fatigue resistance of PBF AlSi10Mg samples was very high when compared to standard cast samples

[112]. To further investigate the practicality of using SLM components as functional parts, Spierings et 

al. 2011, successfully designed, fabricated, and tested brackets used for supporting the suspension of a 

formula race car [42]. Table 8 in Appendix A summarizes the related research on fatigue as it applies to 

part quality.
16

3.3 Modeling and Simulation 

Science-based predictive models are crucial to predict the material behavior that accounts for the changes 

in material properties. Detailed understanding of material changes during melting (microstructural 

changes, phase transformations) would enable optimization and control of the processes improving 

overall product quality. Such capabilities integrated into the current control schemes can potentially cater 

to much desired feed forward and feedback capabilities. Many models have been developed for 

simulating highly dynamic and complex heating, melting, and solidification of materials during PBF 

processes. Dynamics imply heating, melting, wetting, shrinking, balling, solidification, cracking, warping, 

etc. in a very short period of time. Complexity implies highly coupled heat and metallurgical interactions 

in the AM process. This section provides a literature review of available modeling and simulation 

research works with the following objectives: 1) evaluate currently available physics-based, numerical 

models that describe the PBF processes; and 2) investigate observable and derived process signatures that 

are necessary for closed-loop control. 

Zeng, Pal, and Stucker [118] thoroughly reviewed the development and methodology in modeling and 

simulation research for PBF processes. Therefore, construction of the numerical models is only briefly 

reviewed here with select examples highlighted. Though much focus of AM modeling papers is on 

development and model verification, many offer insight into process parameter relationships. The use of 

modeling to guide process control development is not limited by the models, but by the focus of the 

modeling efforts. Here, we attempt to extract what information from modeling and simulations may be 

utilized in control schemes, and identify those derived process signatures that require modeling and 

simulation if they hope to be controlled.

3.3.1 Modeling and simulation methods

Nearly all models of the PBF and DED processes include the following input parameters in one form or 

another: 1) a heat source representing the laser with associated power and profile shape and 2) a body of 

powder with associated geometry, boundary conditions (typically radiation and convective top surface 

with either adiabatic or isothermal bottom surface), and thermo-mechanical material properties. These are 

modeled either numerically (e.g., through multi-physical finite element analysis) or analytically with 

varying degrees of dimension, geometry, scale, and with varying modeled phenomena or sub-processes. 

In three dimensional (3D) finite element models, laser heat sources are typically modeled as a Gaussianshaped surface flux with variable power or radius, or as an internal heat generation [119]. Many use a 

laser ‘absorptance’ factor relating the fraction of laser energy converted to thermal energy, and/or an 

‘extinction coefficient’ or ‘penetration depth’ of the laser energy into the powder. Gusarov et al.,

developed an analytical model for absorptance, extinction coefficient, and reflected radiation based on 

multiple laser reflections and scattering through the open pores of a powder bed [38], [120]. Various 

other empirical or analytical sub-models are also used for temperature, phase, or powder densitydependent thermal conductivity and specific heat [119], [121]–[125]. 

Analytical models mostly use the 3D “Rosenthal” solution for a moving point heat source [126]. 

However, its limited complexity allows it only to verify more complex results from numerical methods 

(e.g., finite element (FE) results from [127]). Other, more complicated analytical models typically use 

numerical methods such as finite difference to solve for laser radiation interactions [128]. 
17

Some analytical models use non-dimensional parameters, which aid in comparison of models and 

experiments across varying scales and conditions. Vasinonta et al. developed non-dimensional parameters 

that relate input parameters and results of DED process simulations to material parameters based on the 

Rosenthal solution [26], [129]. Others who develop non-dimensional parameters include Chen and 

Zhang [130], [131] for the SLS process, and Gusarov et al., described results using traditional heattransfer non-dimensional parameters such as Peclet number using the laser beam width as a characteristic 

length [132]. For a more thorough analysis of potential non-dimensionalized parameters for the PBF

process, see [133]. 

A relatively new method for modeling hydrodynamic effects in the melt-pool is the lattice Boltzmann

method (LBM). This method uses particle collision instead of Navier-Stokes equations in fluid dynamics 

problems. The LBM can model physical phenomena that challenge continuum methods, e.g., influence of 

the relative powder density, the stochastic effect of a randomly packed powder bed, capillary and wetting 

phenomena, and other hydrodynamic phenomena [134]. For example, Korner et al. demonstrated 

multiple melt-pool morphologies could result from the stochastically varying local powder density near 

the scanned region, or effect of changing the bulk powder density. They also developed a process map for 

scan morphology as a function of laser speed and power for one specified powder packing density. LBM 

is very computationally intensive, since multiple simulations are needed (by varying input parameters) to 

extract parameter-signature relationships. For further reference on LBM methods in AM, see [134]–[137].

3.3.2 Parameter-Signature-Quality Relationships

In general, for single scan tracks in powder-bed type processes, the melt-pool and high temperature zone 

form a comet-like shape, with a high temperature gradient in the leading edge of the melt-pool, and lower 

temperature on the trailing edge [36], [122], [138], similar to results from Hussein et al. in Figure 3.

Figure 3. FE simulation surface temperature results showing comet-like shape, and the temperature 

distribution’s relation to proximity to high conductive zones (e.g., solid substrate, image (b)) or low 

conductive zones (e.g., powder bed). Image from Hussein et. al. [138].

As mentioned earlier, melt-pool size and temperature are already being used as feedback parameters in 

closed-loop control schemes. Melt-pool size as a single-valued measurand is not always defined explicitly

in reported simulation results. This is likely due to the fact that full characterization of the melt-pool

throughout its volume is possible, and single-value measurands are found to be too simplistic. However, 
18

length (in the scan direction), depth, width, and area values are sometimes used to relate to process 

parameters. Often in AM modeling literature, a plot of the melt-pool temperature vs. some cross-section 

distance is given [119], [138]–[140]. Melt-pool size may be inferred and related to input parameters, 

though it is not often expressed as a single-value measurand (e.g., the melt-pool is x mm). Soylemez et 

al., mentioned that while melt-pool cross-sectional area is a key descriptor, melt-pool length was known 

to affect deposited bead shape, so they proposed using length-to-depth ratio (L/d) as a descriptor in their 

process mapping efforts [141]. Childs et al., also mentioned that L/d ratio determined the boundary 

between continuous and balled tracks when scanning on powder beds without a solid substrate [142]. 

Typically, the melt-pool size and temperature increase with laser power, however the relationship with 

scan speed is more complicated. For stationary pulsed laser tests (e.g., [143], the effects of longer pulse 

durations are related to lower scan speeds and resulting higher temperature. Multiple simulation efforts 

have addressed the trends in temperature and size of the melt-pool with process parameters, which are 

organized in Table 9. It was shown in [138] that the width and depth decreased slightly with scan speed 

(from 100 mm/s to 300 mm/s), while the length of the melt-pool in the scan direction increased, 

contributing more to the overall melt-pool size. This was for the single-layer model geometry shown in 

Figure 3. Chen and Zhang also showed depth decreasing with speed, but change in length was less 

pronounced [130]. Chen and Zhang also created simulations where melt-pool depth was kept constant, 

which required more input power at the higher speeds. The thin-wall geometry modeled in [26], [27] (not 

PBF) showed that melt-pool length decreased with increasing scan speed, though at much lower speeds 

(<10 mm/s). One interesting approach by Birnbaum et al., used a finite element model to look at transient 

changes to melt-pool geometry given a step change in laser power with the specified intent to apply in 

thermal imaging feedback control [17].

Table 9. Commonly observed melt-pool signatures and related process parameters evidenced in AM 

models and simulations

Melt-pool 

Signature

Relationship Measurand References

Temperature 

(peak)

Increases Laser power [119], [139], [140], [143]–[145]

Decreases Scan speed [138], [139], [144]–[146]

Decreases Thermal conductivity* [138], [142]

Size** Length, width, and 

depth increase

Laser power [26], [36], [119], [130], [139], 

[140], [143]–[145]

Width - decrease Scan speed [132], [138], [144]

Length - increase Scan speed [132], [138]

Depth-decrease Scan Speed [36], [130], [132], [138], [145]

Length, width, and 

depth increase

Thermal conductivity* [138], [142], [145]

* Used as a general term assuming higher conductivity in proximity to previously solidified regions, the 

build plate, or build up of solidified layers

** Measurement of the fused or solidified material mass or size may be used as an indicator of melt-pool

size. 

Modeling offers a comprehensive analysis of the melt-pool, to deduce the irregular shape and temperature 

contours in the interior and not just the surface. Surface level measurements of melt-pool signatures are 
19

leading efforts in in-situ process control. Modeling and simulation can relate these melt-pool signatures to 

the complex and dynamic characteristics internal to the melt-pool, powder bed, or the solid part itself,

such as residual stresses, porosity, or metallic phase structure. 

One promising application of AM simulation to closed-loop control is the ability to study the effect of 

variable thermal conductivity on melt-pool signatures, and thus the part quality. The fully solidified part 

exhibits higher thermal conductivity than the surrounding powder, thereby conducting more heat from the 

laser source, reducing the melt-pool temperature but increasing its size. Multiple AM models have shown 

this phenomenon or studied it in detail [130], [138], [142]. Hussein et al., showed how the melt-pool and 

trailing hot zone changed temperature and shape depending on whether the laser scanned over powder 

bed (low thermal conductivity) or solid substrate (high conductivity) [138]. Scanning over the powder 

bed produced lower peak temperatures in the melt-pool but higher temperatures in the trailing region for 

the first scan. However, this trend changed such that subsequent scans over the solid substrate always 

resulted in lower temperatures. Chen and Zhang simulated multiple layers while keeping melt-pool depth 

constant [130]. They showed that more power was necessary as build layers increased to maintain the 

processing depth, indicating that more heat was conducting into the solid layers. Wang came to the same 

conclusion, but for multiple layers in a thin-wall geometry [123]. The relationships between melt-pool 

signatures and changes in thermal conductivity have guided the use of feedback controlled melt-pool size. 

However, there are other critical phenomena that are less understood, but may be addressed through 

intelligent melt-pool monitoring guided by results from modeling and simulations.

The time-history of temperature plays a crucial role in residual stresses and build-direction variability in 

density and material phase structure. While extremely important to final part quality, these phenomena are 

difficult to measure in-situ during a build. In the future, successful models may be able to predict these 

phenomena to be exploited in feed-forward control schemes. In a series of papers, Wang et al. [123], 

[124] looked at time history of temperature in each layer as the build progresses in a DED system. 

Subsequent scans on new layers re-heated the base layers, which turned originally hard martensitic layers 

to softer, tempered martensite while new layers stayed consistently hard. By increasing scan speed and 

laser power (keeping melt-pool size constant), the number and consistency of hard, martensitic layers 

could be increased since the lower layers were subjected to shorter heating from upper layer builds. 

Others have studied this lower layer reheating phenomena [122], [139] and its effect on residual stresses 

[138], [147]–[149]. 

Others [138], [140], [144] also studied pre-heating and post-heating of a surface point before and after the 

laser scan had passed on one layer (rather than subsequent layers). Under certain conditions, locations on 

previously scanned tracks were re-melted. This number of re-melting cycles increases for narrower hatch 

spacing. For constant hatch spacing, Yin et al., showed that lower scan speeds promoted re-melting 

primarily due to the resulting higher temperatures [140]. However, one can assume that under different 

conditions, a slower scan speed would allow points on adjacent tracks to cool enough not to be re-melted. 

This re-melting effect has been shown experimentally to relate to part quality (e.g., surface roughness, 

mechanical properties, porosity) [150]. 

Hussein et al., also studied thermal stresses in powder bed geometry for multiple layers [138]. Their 

results showed that regions in the build experience thermal expansion and contraction based on the local 

temperature history and build geometry. It was also demonstrated that the relationships between the melt-
20

pool signatures and residual stresses are very complex; therefore melt-pool monitoring may not provide 

enough information to predict residual stress formation. Nickel et al., specifically investigated effects of 

scanning pattern on residual stress and part deformation [151]. Though this forms an excellent guide to 

optimal scanning patterns developed before the build takes place, it is unlikely that scan patterns can be 

effectively changed in-situ to control stress without affecting other part qualities such as porosity, 

homogeneity, or strength. Vasinonta et al. mapped residual stress in thin wall formation, and proposed 

that build plate and part preheating is much more effective in reducing residual stresses than varying scan 

speed or laser power [26], [27]. Though Vasinonta et al. did not include re-heating of lower layers or 

adjacent scan tracks, this may indicate that control schemes that target minimization of residual stress 

may focus on monitoring build plate and chamber temperature, rather than monitoring melt-pool

signatures. As mentioned, scan pattern has been shown to relate to residual stress formation, though this 

may be more difficult to adaptively control than build plate or chamber temperature. 

The re-heating phenomenon also has an effect on metallic phase structure, (not to be confused with the 

more often modeled powder-liquid-solid phases). Wang and Fenicelli et al. [123], [127] looked at metal 

phase change based on temperature cycle history and volume fraction of three possible phases (in 410 

stainless steel) using commercial welding simulation software. In the simulation results in [123], they 

observed that the high temperatures caused by the initial pass by the DED system laser would create a 

high-strength, martensitic microstructure. Key to these phase changes was the high rate of cooling 

observed in their model, a consequence of the material thermal properties, boundary conditions, and 

overall geometry. In [152], they extended the model to predict thermally and mechanically induced 

residual strain vs. laser power, scan speed, and powder flow rate (in a DED system), then compared to 

neutron-diffraction strain measurement results from [153] with good agreement for the range of 

parameters studied. Though results were complex and cannot all be detailed here, one interesting result 

showed that residual stress in the laser scan direction changed from compressive to tensile when scan 

speed doubled from 4.2 mm/s to 8.5 mm/s, while maintaining the steady melt-pool size by adjusting laser 

power (increasing with scan speed, but decreasing with pass number). 

Modeling and simulation can link measurable melt-pool or process signatures to immeasurable but critical 

phenomena like instantaneous material phase and microstructure. However these complex relationships 

require an organized and simplified methodology to implement in in-situ control. Perhaps the best method 

is through development of process maps, which several research groups have developed using modeling 

and simulations for the DED process for process control. Vasinonta et al. used a finite element (FE)

method to develop process maps for the DED manufacturing of thin walls, and put results in term of nondimensional parameters based on the Rosenthal moving point source solution [26], [126], [129]. Bontha 

et al., used a 2D analytical (Rosenthal) and finite element models to calculate cooling rates in DED

processing of Ti-6Al-4V as a function of laser power, traverse speed, and increasing build depth [154]. 

These are overlaid onto previously developed process maps that detail expected microstructure forms for 

different ranges of thermal gradients versus solidification rates (“G-R plot” or “solidification map” [155]). 

Soylemez et al., formed process maps that linked melt-pool signatures to laser power versus scan velocity 

(called a “P-V map”) using a 3D FE simulation of single bead deposition [141], then later Gockel and 

Beuth combined the maps to show how specific combinations of laser power and speed can achieve 

constant grain size and tailored morphology in an electron beam wire feed process shown in Figure 4

[156]. They proposed use of this hybrid microstructure map, which depends on simulation data to 

develop, for “real-time indirect microstructure control through melt-pool dimension control.” Though 
21

microstructure control is the primary focus in [156], it may be possible to extend this methodology to 

develop process maps for residual stress [26], [27]. Much of this reviewed process mapping work was 

centered at Carnegie Mellon and Wright State universities, and a thorough review of these efforts is given 

by Beuth et al., including a list of patent applications submitted by the authors [157]. 

Figure 4. Microstructure P-V map for wire-fed E-beam Ti-6Al-4V (from Gockel and Beuth [156])

4 Implications for Process Control

Based on the review presented in Section 3, this section first identifies and categorizes the process 

parameters, process signatures, and product qualities as reported in the literature to systematically analyze 

the needed correlations among them. Next, the section presents the research opportunities specifically for 

the real-time control of AM PBF processes.

4.1 Parameters-Signatures-Qualities Categorization 

As summarized in the previous sections, the influence of AM process parameters on the resultant part 

quality in general has been widely studied and reported. To establish foundations for process control, we 

sub-categorize the process parameters, process signatures and product quality according to the abilities to 

be measured and/or controlled. Process parameters are input to the PBF process and they are either 

potentially controllable or predefined. Controllable parameters (e.g., laser and scanning parameters, layer 

thickness, and temperature) are used to control the heating, melting, and solidification process and thus 

control the part quality. Predefined parameters, for example, include part geometry, material, and build 

plate parameters. Controllable process parameters generally correlate to the observable and derived

process signatures (e.g., melt-pool size, temperature, porosity, or residual stress). Derivable parameters 

cannot be directly measured but can be calculated with a numerical model, such as the maximum depth of 

a melt-pool. For purposes of correlations we further subdivide the process signatures into three categories 

namely: melt-pool, track, and layer. Process signatures determine the final product qualities (geometric, 

mechanical, and physical). Developing correlations between the controllable process parameters and 

process signatures should support feed forward and feedback control, with the goal of embedding process 
22

knowledge into future control schemes. Figure 5 categorizes and lists the process parameters, process 

signatures, and product qualities to derive needed correlations.

Figure 5. Parameters in the correlations

The main process controllable parameters include the following:

(1) Laser Beam Velocity: quantifies the scanning speed and direction of the laser beam.

(2) Laser Power: quantifies the power of the laser beam.

(3) Laser Beam Diameter: quantifies the diameter of the laser beam scanning the powder bed.

(4) Layer Thickness Variation: quantifies the variation to the preset powder layer thickness for refilling 

the previously fabricated sub-layer.

(5) Inert Gas Flow: quantifies the inert gas flowing above the powder bed for cooling using two subparameters namely the Flow Rate and the Flow Pattern, such as laminar flow, turbulent flow, or 

transient flow, of the inert gas.

(6) Scanning Pattern: quantifies the order of the scanning directions of the laser beam.

Predefined process parameters are those process-related parameters that are defined prior to laser 

scanning and cannot be changed during scanning. The following are the predefined parameters:

(1) Powder Size Distribution: quantifies the particle size distribution of the metal powder.

(2) Layer Thickness: quantifies the predetermined thickness of powder layer for each layer of scanning.

(3) Packing Density: quantifies the density of powder in the powder chamber after packing.

(4) Absorptivity: quantifies the coefficient of the heat absorbed per unit mass of powder.
23

(5) Reflectance: quantifies the ratio of the heat reflected by the powder bed to the heat delivered by the 

laser beam.

(6) Build Plate: indicates the type of plate that is used to fabricate a product.

Melt-pool, a subcategory of process signature, has the following parameters:

(1) Temperature: includes two sub-parameters namely the Maximum Temperature of the melt-pool, and 

the Temperature Gradient of the melt-pool.

(2) Geometry: includes three sub-parameters namely Maximum Width of the melt-pool, Maximum Depth

of the melt-pool, and Length of the melt-pool behind the maximum width.

(3) Plume Characteristic: characterizes the plume.

Track, another subcategory of process signature, has the following parameters:

(1) Geometric Irregularity: indicates irregularities in the track (e.g., balling, voids, discontinuity, and 

delamination) causing the fabricated track to deviate from the desired track.

(2) Unmelted Particle: indicates the location of an unmelted particle in the track.

(3) Shrinkage: indicates the size reduction due to cooling and solidification of the track.

(4) Residual Stress: quantifies residual stress in the track due to shrinkage or deformation, such as 

bending and twisting.

(5) Microstructure: indicates microstructure of the track denoted using two sub-parameters namely

Crystal Structure (including grain size and grain growth direction) and Metal Phase.

(6) Void: indicates the location and shape of an empty space, such as pore, crack, and delamination, in the 

track.

Layer, the other subcategory of process signature, has the following parameters:

(1) Geometric Irregularities: indicates irregularities in the layer. Combined shape irregularities from all 

the tracks in a layer can make the entire fabricated layer to deviate in shape.

(2) Residual Stresses: indicates the residual stresses and stress distribution in the layer.

(3) Unmelted Particles: indicates particles, which are not melted by the laser beam, in the layer.

(4) Voids: quantifies empty spaces, such as pores, cracks, and delamination, in the layer.

(5) Microstructure: indicates the crystal structures and metal phase in the layer.

(6) Defects: quantifies imperfections (e.g., delamination, discontinuity, and severe deformation) in the 

layer such that the product can be disqualified if the defect cannot be remedied in fabricating the 

succeeding layers.

The category of Product includes the following:

(1) Dimensional deviation: quantifies the deviation of the measured dimension from the nominal 

dimension due to form and size errors.

(2) Mechanical property: quantifies mechanical performance of the product, such as strength, hardness, 

toughness, and fatigue resistance.

(3) Surface Roughness: quantifies the roughness of a surface of the product.

(4) Porosity: quantifies the amount of voids in the product.

(5) Defects: quantifies imperfections in the product that makes the product fail to perform by design.

(6) Residual Stress: quantifies unintended residual stress in the product.
24

4.2 Correlations

With the parameters individually defined in the previous section, this section describes qualitative 

correlations to describe the cause-and-effect relationship between process control parameters, process 

signatures, and product quality. The correlations are synthesized according to literature review in the 

previous sections, particularly, Section 3. Most reviewed papers discussed the correlations between 

process parameters and product quality (e.g., increasing laser power can improve product mechanical 

strength due to deeper and wider melting). Those papers that discussed process signatures mostly focused 

on melt-pool temperature and area. Process parameters along with signatures in general have not yet been 

directly related to product quality. 

From the literature, process parameters are driving factors that determine a melt-pool formation. Figure 6 

shows the correlations between controllable process parameters and melt-pool signature parameters. Meltpool Temperature and Melt-pool Geometry depend on the controllable (Beam Diameter, Beam Power, 

and Beam Velocity) and predefined parameters (Reflectance, Absorptivity, Packing Density, Layer 

Thickness, Powder Size Distribution, Previous Layer/Substrate, and Build Plate). Plume Characteristic

generally depends on the Beam Diameter, Beam Power, Beam Velocity, Scanning Strategy, and Inert Gas 

Flow (including flow rate flow pattern).

Note that in the paragraph text, the causes of cause-and-effect relationships are capitalized and the effects

are capitalized and italicized for reading convenience. The effects are bolded in the figures that follow. 

Figure 6. Correlations between Process and Melt-pool Signature

After the melt-pool cools, the metal solidifies and forms a track. From Figure 7, Shrinkage depends on the 

controllable process parameters namely the Layer Thickness Variation and Powder Packing Density. The 

thicker the layer, the more the metal shrinks. The higher the powder packing density, the less the metal 

shrinks. The Geometric Irregularity depends on Melt-pool Temperature, Melt-pool Geometry, Shrinkage, 

Beam Velocity, and Layer Thickness. If the Melt-pool Temperature is too high, the shape of the track will 

be wider due to extreme melting. If the Melt-pool Geometry is larger than the desired geometry, the track 

shape will become too large. Shrinkage deforms the shape of the track from the shape of the powder 

layer. If the Beam Velocity is too fast, balling occurs and causes Geometric Irregularity in the track.
25

Figure 7. Correlations between Melt-pool and Track (1/3)

From Figure 8, Residual Stress is the maximum residual stress in the track and depends on Shrinkage, 

Temperature Gradient, Fabricating Adjacent Track, Beam Velocity, and Scanning Strategy. The more the 

melt-pool shrinks during solidification, the higher the residual stress is. Similarly, the steeper the 

Temperature Gradient, the higher is the Residual Stress. Unmelted Particles depends on Melt-pool

Geometry, Melt-pool Temperature, Layer Thickness, and Fabricating Adjacent Track (Figure 8). If the 

Melt-pool Temperature is lower than the ideal temperature, Unmelted particles can occur because of 

incomplete melting. If the Melt-pool Geometry is irregular, some particles cannot have sufficient heat to 

melt and become Unmelted particles. The thicker the layer, more particles in the bottom of the melt-pool

tend to exist. Fabricating an adjacent track can remelt the Unmelted particles.

Figure 8. Correlations between Melt-pool and Track (2/3)

From Figure 9, Voids depend on Melt-pool Geometry, Melt-pool Temperature, and Fabricating Adjacent 

Track. Similar to Unmelted particles, if the Melt-pool Geometry is irregular, some particles will not have 

the sufficient heat to melt, and pores will be in the track. Similarly, if the Melt-pool Temperature is lower 

than the ideal temperature, Unmelted particles can occur because of incomplete melting, and pores will be 

in the track. Fabricating an adjacent track can remelt the Unmelted particles and, thus, remove Voids. 

Microstructure includes grain size, grain growing direction, and metal phase and depends on the 

following melt-pool parameters: Melt-pool Temperature, Temperature Gradient, Beam Velocity, and 

Fabricating Adjacent Track. The three parameters i.e., Melt-pool Temperature, Temperature Gradient, 

and Beam Velocity affect grain sizes, grain growing directions, and metal phases of the track. Fabricating 
26

Adjacent Track remelts a portion of the previous track as a heat treatment and thus affects the 

Microstructure of the track.

Figure 9. Correlations between Melt-pool and Track (3/3)

After tracks are fabricated, a layer of metal is formed. Figure 10 shows the layer related signatures 

namely: Geometric Irregularities, Residual Stresses, and Unmelted Particles. Geometric Irregularities of 

the layer depends on the combined track geometric irregularities. Residual Stresses of the layer depends 

on the Combined Track Residual Stresses and Fabricating Other Layers. Fabricating Other Layers can 

release or worsen the Residual Stress in the layer. The Unmelted Particles parameter is derived from the 

Combined Track Unmelted Particles.

Figure 10. Correlations between Track and Layer (1/2)

Figure 11 shows the other layer related signatures namely Voids, Microstructures, and Defects. Voids are

derived from both the Voids In Tracks and Between Tracks parameter and the Geometric Irregularity 

parameter. Microstructures depends on the Combined Track Microstructures parameter. Defects depend

on the Shape Irregularities, Combined Track Microstructures, Residual Stresses, and Unmelted Particles. 

Defects indicates the locations, and the types of defects in a layer. If the defects can be remedied in the 

succeeding layer fabrication, the defects will not be the reason to stop the fabrication process; otherwise, 

the fabrication process should be stopped to avoid making a product with defects.
27

Figure 11. Correlations between Track and Layer (2/2)

Product quality directly depends on Dimensional Deviations, Surface Roughness, Mechanical Properties, 

Residual Stresses, Porosity, and Defects. Dimensional Deviations includes form and size deviations from 

the desired form and dimensions. From Figure 12, Dimensional Deviations depend on Combined Layer 

Dimensions and Combined Layer Geometric Irregularities. Surface Roughness depends on Voids (voids 

on the product surface) and Geometric Irregularities (geometric irregularities on the product surface). 

Mechanical Properties (including part mechanical strength, hardness, toughness, and fatigue 

performance) depends on the Combined Layer Microstructures, the Geometric Irregularities, Voids, 

Unmelted Particle, and Combined Layer Residual Stress. 

Figure 12. Correlations between Layer and Product (1/2)

From Figure 13, Residual Stresses in the product depends on Geometric Irregularities, Combined 

Microstructures, Voids, Unmelted Particles, and Combined Layer Residual Stress. The Combined Layer 

Residual Stress is main contributor to the Residual Stress in the product. Porosity depends on Voids in all 

the layers. Lastly, Defects (includes delamination, substandard mechanical properties, and out of 
28

tolerances) depends on Combined Voids In Layers, Unmelted Particles, Geometric Irregularities, and 

Residual Stresses.

Figure 13. Correlations between Layer and Product (2/2)

From the above discussions, various correlations have been qualitatively connected through cause-andeffect diagrams from process parameters to process signatures and to part qualities. Change in one process 

parameter can affect multiple signatures and multiple part qualities. Part quality generally depends on 

multiple process parameters. Process and product usually follow a multiple input and multiple output 

relationship.

There are potentially other missing parameters. One possible missing process signature is the heat

absorption, before the actual Melt-pool formation. The heat absorption signature can include the heat 

absorption rate and the temperature raising profile. More research in this subject is needed.

4.3 Research Opportunities 

For design of AM PBF process control there must be further development of parameter-signature-quality 

relationships and relative sensitivities of those relationships through experiments and simulations. 

Existing control design for the DMD process focuses on measuring and controlling melt-pool signatures 

(size and temperature) by varying laser parameters (power and scan speed), and there is reason to believe 

PBF process control will follow similar trends. Therefore, for controller development, research results 

ought to focus on the parameter-signature-quality relationships and sensitivities, with particular focus on 

measureable melt-pool signatures, and controllable process parameters.

In addition to further defining these process relationships, new traceable measurement methods and 

identification of new measurable process signatures are necessary. Two issues, residual stress and varying 

metallic phase structure, are particularly problematic in PBF processes yet there are few or no in-situ, 

nonintrusive measurement methods available to detect these phenomena as they vary during a build. 

Melt-pool signatures (e.g., size and temperature) are the most often considered measurands for in-situ 

feed-back control. However, there is potential for other, less considered signatures that may offer greater 

sensitivity to process variations or simplified measurement, for example, measurements of the laser 

ablation plume size, or the spectral measurements of the ablation zone [158]–[160]. Methods for 
29

controlling porosity, surface finish, and residual stress will be necessary for increasing the endurance 

limit.

Most of the reviewed literature has limited analysis of measurement error and traceability, and there is a 

need for better measurement uncertainty evaluations and reporting. First, simulations require accurate and 

repeatable measurements for validation. For example, there are simulations that correlate temperature to 

melt-pool size. In such cases, a large uncertainty in a temperature evaluation will result in an uncertainty 

of the melt-pool size, and therefore inadequate comparison of measurement data with the model output. 

Better understanding of measurement uncertainty assists system controller design by identifying the 

necessary level of precision required to attain the goals of the control system.

It is well known that the relationships between parameters in the PBF process are complex. Process maps, 

such as those in [24], [26], [27], [129], [154], [157], will be a key tool to organize and communicate the 

complex, multi-dimensional parameter relationship topology. These maps will be essential for multiinput, multi-output (MIMO) control algorithm design, and model-based predictive controller design. 

The AM process control design landscape is so far limited in variety, with most examples using melt-pool

temperature and/or size to control laser power or speed. This method could very well be the most 

effective, however there is wider potential for different levels of control loops. For example, control loops 

may occur discretely between completion of each build layer rather than continuously (e.g., the powder 

bed temperature mapping by Craeghs et al. [8]). However, it is yet unclear which signatures are best 

modeled or measured, and which input parameters are best controlled for which time scale (either 

continuously or discrete inter-layer). It is a worthwhile endeavor to create an AM control loop 

architecture that identifies the multiple potential control loops, and provides a basis for identifying which 

loops are optimal for controlling which parameter-signature-quality relationship.

5 Conclusions 

This report presented a review on the AM process control schemes, process measurements, and modeling 

and simulation methods as applied to the powder bed fusion process, though related work from other 

processes were also reviewed. This background study aimed to identify and summarize the measurement 

science needs that are critical to real-time AM process control. The report was organized to present the 

correlations between process parameters, process signatures, and product quality. Based on the review,

we presented the implications for process control highlighting the research opportunities and future 

directions. For example, we found reported correlations between the laser power (process parameter) and 

the melt-pool surface geometry and surface temperature (process signatures) on the resulting relative 

density of the part (part quality). Melt-pool size and temperature have already been used as feedback 

parameters in closed-loop control schemes. Considering residual stresses as another example, researchers 

have identified that an increase in the build platform temperature correlates to lower residual stresses. 

There were also reported correlations on the residual stress to the scan strategy and layer thickness used to 

build. In the future work, newer process signatures and corresponding correlations will have to be 

investigated for newer control schemes.

Future work at NIST will also involve the development of a benchtop open architecture AM research 

platform to test and demonstrate the in-process measurement and control methods. Such a benchtop 
30

platform will enable us to directly observe melting and solidification of metal powders, integrate process 

metrology tools, and implement software interfaces and data acquisition for process measurements, as 

well as test the control algorithms. The AM community can benefit from such a test platform to 

implement, test, and validate a real-time and closed-loop control of AM processes.

Disclaimer 

Certain products or services are identified in the paper to foster understanding. Such identification does 

not imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, nor 

does it imply that the products or services identified are necessarily the best available for the purpose.

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40

Appendix A

AM PBF Machine Specifications:

Typically, metal PBF machines have build volumes on the order of 250 mm x 250 mm x 200 mm. The 

metals that are available for production are stainless steels, tool steels, titanium alloys, nickel alloys, 

aluminum alloys, cobalt chrome alloys, and bronze alloys. Layer thicknesses are typically between 0.02 

mm and 0.10 mm. The process builds in an inert environment of nitrogen or argon (though some 

processes, especially electron-beam based processes, build in a vacuum). Laser-based systems typically 

deflect the laser beam off two mirrors and through some optics (often an f-theta lens) to focus the beam to 

a 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm beam width on the top surface of the powder bed. The beam is scanned by a 

galvanometer system that rotates the deflecting mirrors. Laser scan speeds can be as fast as 7 m/s. Parts 

are typically built by first tracing the laser spot over the perimeter of the layer’s geometry, then filling the 

area with a raster or hatch pattern. 

Table 1. Summary of the research efforts applicable to AM PBF and related non-PBF control schemes

PBF related

Control 

parameter

Setup Correlations Control Reference

Melt-pool size CMOS camera and 

planar photodiode 

coaxial with the laser

Photodiode signal intensity and 

melt-pool area. Melt-pool 

dimensions as a function of X, Y 

and positions of laser beam on the 

X-Y plane

Area-based signature as 

feedback to control the laser 

power

[6] – [8]

Surface 

roughness of 

solidified meltpool 

Pulsed laser system, 

video camera

Heat intensity and surface 

roughness.

Pulse shapes and material spatter

Investigative [9]

Part geometry CMM, beam 

compensation

Shrinkage due to different 

geometric shapes

Laser beam, laser power and 

scanning speed

[10], [12], 

[13]

Non-PBF related

Control 

parameter

Setup Correlations Reference

Bead profile 

geometry

Laser optical scanner, 

IR pyrometer

Input parameters and the bead 

profile

Control bead cross sectional 

area and with a single process 

input parameter along with the 

inverse source velocity

[14]

Part geometry FDM and 

compensation 

algorithm

Geometric measurements and a 

model of the target object

Compensation droplets to 

match the target geometry

[20]

IR-temperature 

signal

PID-controller was 

built between a Gephotodiode and laser 

Laser path versus homogeneity of 

the microstructure, hardness, and 

dimensional accuracy

Process control with constant 

set-values and laser pathdependent set-values

[21],[25]

Delivered 

powder volume 

Optoelectronic sensor 

for powder delivery

Thermal variation and processing 

quality

Controllable powder delivery 

and heat input

[22], [23]

Melt-pool size Thermal imaging, 

process maps 

Transient behavior of melt-pool 

size and laser power or velocity

Dynamic feedback for desired 

melt-pool size

[15]–[19], 

[24],[26]–

[28]
41

Table 2. Research on in-process measurement

Table 3. Dimensional accuracy research summary

Purpose Variables Instruments Correlations Reference 

Evaluate SLM of low 

cost powders

Layer thickness. 

Laser scanning 

speed

Renishaw Cyclone II 3D 

scanner (scan probe)

Measured dimensions before 

finishing were 2-4 % larger than 

designed, after finishing 

dimensions were 1.5 % larger, 

tolerances were not uniform and 

varied in the z-direction, no 

shrinkage

[76]

Investigate elevated 

edges

Laser power, 

speed, and scan 

strategy, edge 

height

Contact surface profilometer, 

optical microscope

Not possible to eliminate the built 

up edge, however, appropriate 

process parameters and scanning 

strategies can improve flatness

[75]

Influence of process 

parameters on 

dimensional accuracy 

Laser power, 

speed, scan 

strategy, layer 

thickness

Profilometer, CMM Dimensional errors and control can 

be specific geometric profiles

[13]

Analysis of the laser 

energy required for 

manufacturing

Part geometry, 

slice thickness 

and the build 

orientation

Mathematical analysis Laser energy expenditure of SLS 

process and its correlation to the 

geometry

[77]

Design of metal parts 

fabricated by PBF

Laser power, 

speed, scan 

strategy, layer 

thickness, 

CMM Process parameters and the 

accuracy of the laser scanning units 

were crucial to improve the 

dimensional accuracy

[78]

Investigate 

deformations and 

deviations of 

geometry of thin 

walls in SLM

Size and 

position

CMM Deviations ranged from 0.002 mm 

to 0.202 mm for position and size, 

respectively

[79]

Purpose of in-process measurement Measurement setup Reference

Surface temperature measurement IR thermography and pyrometry, emissivity reference [8], [44]–

[63]

Correlate deviations of process signatures to input 

parameters

Bi-color pyrometer [63]

Determine temperature and time history of 

temperature distribution in melt-pool area

Co-axial measurement system uses a bi-color pyrometer [45]

Determine melt-pool size and temperature Photodiode and CMOS [57]

Use temperature maps to detect deformation due to 

thermal stresses and overheating zones due to 

overhangs

Co-axial near-IR (780 nm to 950 nm) temperature

measurement system consisting of a planar (?) 

photodiode and a high-speed CMOS camera.

[8]

Monitor beam-powder interaction, quantify beam 

focus size, and detect porosity

IR-thermography imaging system [60]

Monitor melt-pool dynamics by introducing 

additional illumination source for high resolution 

imaging at high scanning velocities

Co-axial optical system [47]

Measure the melt-pool size as well as the 

temperature profile across the melt-pool

Near- IR (780 to1080 nm) thermography (with 60 Hz 

frame rate)

[62]

Track movement of heat through the laser track Thermography-based system [59]

Strain measurement Surface distortion measurement, strain gages mounted to 

the build platform

[64]–

[68][70],[71]

Geometric measurements Vision system [72]–[74]
42

Influence of process 

parameters on part 

quality

Laser power, 

speed, and scan 

strategy

X-ray spectroscopy, Scanning 

Electron Microscope, Energydispersive X-ray spectroscopy, 

surface profilometer, universal 

testing machine, hardness tester

Build direction has a significant 

effect on part quality, in terms of 

dimensional error and surface 

roughness. 

[80]

Quality optimization 

of overhanging 

surfaces

Inclined angle 

(part), scan 

speed, laser 

power

Camera, CMM Better controlling part orientation 

and energy input will improve 

overhanging surface quality

[81]

Table 4. Surface quality research summary

Purpose Variables Instruments Correlations Reference 

Evaluate SLM of 

low cost powders

Roughness High sensitivity 

digital scale, 

Renishaw Cyclone II 

3D scanner, SEM, 

JOEL JSM5200,

EDX analyzer 

Large particles inside thick layers 

increased surface roughness. Side 

surface was smoother at the bottom 

than at the top

[76]

Investigate pulse 

shaping on SLM 

of thin walled 

parts

Pulse shape, roughness,

width, degree of plasma 

plume

Profilometer, digital 

calipers, digital video 

camera

Pulse shaping was shown to reduce 

spatter ejection, improve top surface 

roughness, and minimize melt-pool 

width

[9]

Investigate 

failures

Layer thickness, scanning 

speed, orientation, energy 

density, part density and 

roughness

SEM A narrow processing window exists 

that produces 100 % part density and 

the best surface quality

[82]

Investigate 

elevated edges

Laser power, speed, and 

scan strategy, edge height 

Contact surface 

profilometer, optical 

microscope

Edge height ranged from 10 um to 

160 μm, not possible to eliminate the 

built up edge, however, appropriate 

process parameters and scanning 

strategies can improve flatness

[75]

Influence of 

particle size 

distribution on 

surface quality 

and properties

Particle size, layer 

thickness

Mechanical testing Optimized powder granulations 

generally lead to improved 

mechanical properties

[42]

Influence of 

process 

parameters on 

part quality

Scanning speed, layer 

thickness, and building 

direction

X-ray spectroscopy, 

Scanning Electron 

Microscope, Energydispersive X-ray 

spectroscopy, surface 

profilometer, 

universal testing 

machine, hardness 

tester

Mechanical properties

and surface finish sensitive to the 

build direction and layer

thickness 

[80]
43

Table 5. Mechanical properties research summary

Purpose Variables Instruments Correlations Reference

Investigate failures Layer thickness, 

scanning speed, 

orientation, 

energy density, 

part density and

roughness

SEM Density measurements do not 

identify deficient connections of 

consecutive layers, vertically 

fabricated specimens have lower 

tensile strengths and elongations

[82]

Evaluate PBF of low 

cost powders

Layer thickness, 

scan speed

Vickers & Micro-vickers, 

stress-strain

Hardness not as affected by the 

parameters, however, variations 

due to surface porosity were 

observed. Strength was best at 

low speeds and thickness. Part 

became brittle with higher layer 

thickness due to porosity and 

micro-cracking. 

[76]

Investigate dynamic 

strength and fracture 

toughness on a 

cylindrical beam and 

disk

Standard exposure 

strategies

Rotating bending fatigue tests Fatigue strength was comparable 

to conventionally manufactured 

parts

[83]

Qualifying metal based 

powder systems for 

automotive

Build orientation, 

surface finish, 

temperature

Material analysis,

Tensile test, compression test

Material properties are sensitive 

to the build direction. Surface 

treatment potential method to 

increase material properties. 

Materials strength decreases 

with higher temperatures

[84]

Study on material 

properties and process 

parameters

Material 

properties

Material analysis,

Tensile test

Powder properties directly affect 

the process in turn affect the 

mechanical properties

[85]

Correlation of process 

parameters and part 

properties in laser

sintering

Laser power, scan 

spacing, scan 

speed, powder 

bed temperature, 

layer thickness, 

energy density

Tensile test Four main influences on 

mechanical properties were 

scan spacing, scan speed, layer 

thickness, and interaction of 

scan spacing and layer thickness

[86]

Characterization of a

Commercial AlSiMg 

Alloy Processed 

through Direct Metal

Laser Sintering

Build orientations Light microscopy; electron 

microscopy

Difference in mechanical and 

microstructural properties of 

specimens built along different 

orientations

[87]

Investigate single layer 

track stability

Powder input, 

scanning speed, 

laser power 

Optical granulomorphometer, 

real-time optical sieving 

system, image analysis 

software

Negative correlation is found 

between the thermal 

conductivity of bulk material 

and the range of optimal 

scanning speed for the 

continuous single track sintering

[88]

PBF of dies Laser offset Single/ dual lasers, Vickers 

hardness testing machine

Vickers hardness decreases as 

beam offset increases. Reheating 

increases bending strength

[161]

Analyze the influence 

of the manufacturing 

strategy on the internal 

structure and 

mechanical properties 

of the components

Hatch distance, 

build orientation

Granulo-morphometer, 

INSTRON

Two-zone method created the 

lowest porosity < 1 %, yield & 

ultimate tensile strength was 

consistent with both vertical and 

horizontal build directions, 

Young’s modulus is 1.5 times 

higher for horizontal builds

[89]
44

Influence of particle 

size distribution on 

surface quality and 

properties

Particle size, layer 

thickness

Mechanical testing Optimized powder granulations 

generally lead to improved 

mechanical properties

[42]

Effect of PBF layout on 

quality

Gas flow direction Porosity measurements, 

mechanical testing

Gas temperature/flow effects 

part quality

[95]

Influence of process 

parameters on part 

quality

Scanning speed, 

layer thickness, 

and building 

direction

X-ray spectroscopy, Scanning 

Electron Microscope, Energydispersive X-ray spectroscopy, 

surface profilometer, universal 

testing machine, hardness 

tester

For SLM process, the build 

direction has no influence on 

mechanical properties

[80]

Designing material 

properties locally, PBF

Energy density, 

modulus, yield 

strength

Brinell test Hardness is influenced by the 

pore structure

[105]

Effect of geometry on 

shear modulus

Pitch of the spring 

as geometric 

factor 

Compression test Geometry has a major effect on 

the produced mechanical 

properties

[162]

Investigate the effects 

of preheating on the 

distortion of Al parts

Preheat 

temperature

3D Optical measurement 

system

Hardness decreases with preheat 

temperature

[90]

Table 6. Residual stress research summary

Purpose Variables Correlations Reference

Measure residual stress Laser scanning, heating Base plate heating, re-scanning, and heat treatment 

reduced residual stress

[70]

Residual stresses in PBF Material properties, sample 

and substrate height, the laser 

scanning strategy and heating 

conditions

Heat treating, re-scanning, and heating of the base 

plate helps relieve residual stress

[96]

Effects of positioning 

powders and thickness on 

residual stresses

Position and thickness Stress magnitude decreased moving towards inner 

layers.

[94]

Investigate heat treatment 

of PBF components

Temperature and time The most promising heat treatment consisted of a 

moderate cooling rate after solution treatment at 

1,055 C

[99]

Investigate fatigue and 

crack growth of TiAl6V4 

PBF in the z-direction

Temperature, atmosphere Micron sized pores mainly affect fatigue strength, 

residual stresses have a strong impact on fatigue 

crack growth

[93]

Investigate residual stress 

and density

Laser power, heating Observed deformation was due to residual stress. 

Stresses were found to be very high and approached 

and exceeded the yield strength

[101]

Effect of PBF layout on 

quality

Gas flow direction Gas temperature/flow effects part quality [95]

Investigate heat treatment 

on residual stress, tensile 

strength, and fatigue of 

SLM components

Temperature, time, gas, and 

hot isostatic pressing

Heat treating reduced residual and tensile stress and 

increased fatigue life

[102]

Investigate the influence of 

material properties son 

residual stress

Density, micro hardness, 

curl-up angle

Micro-cracking and the formation of oxides effect 

residual stress, material properties influence was 

obscured

[97]

Measure residual stress to 

validate numerical model

Strain, temperature, cooling 

time

Residual stresses are largest for large layer 

thickness (5 mm) and long cooling time.

[71], [94]
45

Investigate the effects of 

preheating on the distortion 

of Al parts

Preheat temperature Reduction in distortion begins at a preheat 

temperature of 150 C, distortion is no longer 

observed at a preheat temperature 250 C and above, 

additionally, hardness decreases with preheat 

temperature

[90]

Table 7. Porosity/density research summary

Purpose Variables Correlations Reference

Comparison of density of 

316L

layer thickness, particle 

size, distribution, Mettler 

balance

Basic powder requirements identified [41]

Study PBF Layer thickness, scanning 

speed, orientation, energy 

density, part density and 

roughness

Density measurements do not identify deficient 

connections of consecutive layers, a narrow 

processing window (energy density) exists that 

produces 100 % part density and the best surface 

quality

[82]

Investigate the effects of 

re-melting on density

Scan speed, scan spacing, 

pulse frequency

Increase density with decreasing scan speed, density 

decreases with decreasing scan spacing (although not 

significant

[103]

Investigate the influence 

of laser remelting on 

density

Scan spacing, scan speed, 

number of re-melting scans, 

laser power

Higher re-melting scan speed with low laser power 

exhibits very-low-porosity, additional re-melting did 

not significantly change porosity. Increased energy by 

decreasing the scan spacing and increasing the 

number of scans increased porosity, but not as bad as 

not remelting

[104]

Designing material 

properties locally in PBF

process

Build orientation, layer 

thickness, scan speed, laser 

power, heat treat, energy

density

Generated a curve for density as a function of specific 

energy input, Boccaccini equation can be used to 

predict modulus as a function of porosity, hardness is 

influenced by the pore structure

[105]

Investigate the density of 

PBF powders: gas 

atomized and water 

atomized

Particle size, shape, and 

distribution

Lower laser power, higher scan speed, and thicker 

layer yields worsened wetting characteristic 

characterized by fluctuant surface, gas atomized 

powder produces denser structures, pore size 

increased with increase hatch spacing

[106]

Influences of energy 

density on porosity and 

microstructure of PBF 17-

4PH

Layer thickness, scanning 

speed, orientation, energy 

density, part density and 

roughness

Energy density may not be a good indicator for 

porosity level of SLM manufactured parts. Balling 

phenomena and high thermal stress cracking are 

mainly responsible for the porosity

[107],[108]

Effects of the variation of 

sintering parameters

Layer thickness and 

hatching distance

Increasing layer thickness and hatching distance 

results in an increase in porosity that diminishes the 

hardness and density

[109]

AM tool comparison Manufacturers recipe, 

processing cost, optical 

emission spectrometer

Density ranged from 82.6 % to 99.23 %, SLS 

produced the best density

[110]

Study the influence of the 

hatch distance on internal 

structure and porosity

Hatch distance, build 

orientation

Porosity increased as hatch distance increased, twozone method created the lowest porosity < 1 %, yield 

& ultimate tensile strength was consistent with both 

vertical and horizontal build directions, Young's 

modulus is 1.5 times higher for horizontal builds

[89]

Investigate residual stress 

in PBF

Specimen thickness Produced parts with 1.4 % porosity [163]

Investigate increased 

production with increased 

laser power

Laser power, scan speed With 1KW lasers scan speed, scan spacing, and build 

rate can be significantly increased 

[164]

Reduce required laser Hatch distance, scan speed Low scan speeds generate roughness greater than the [165]
46

power and increase scan 

rate by investigating their 

effects on porosity

set layer thickness, high scan speeds led to lower 

relative densities due to insufficient powder melting 

Comparison of density 

measurement techniques

Particle size, layer thickness Porosity is less controllable at high scan speeds, 

Archimedes method has lower uncertainty and greater 

repeatability

[42]

To investigate the 

influence of volume 

energy density on 

porosity

Laser power, scan speed, 

hatching distance, layer 

thickness, 

The volume energy density, including all four 

investigated parameters, shows a strong 

influence on the overall porosity

[111]

Evaluate PBF of low cost 

powders

Part geometry, dimensional 

tolerance, surface quality, 

density, mechanical 

properties and 

microstructure

Density decreased at larger layer thickness, smaller 

particles increased density, lower scan speeds 

increase melting and reduced surface tension of the 

melt-pool

[76]

Investigate density and 

residual stress within PBF 

specimens

Laser power, heating Archimedes-method yielded an average density of 

99.75 % and pixel analysis yielded an avg. of 99.7 %. 

Sharp-edged defects and near circular voids existed. 

SLM can produce near full dense parts

[101]

Table 8. Fatigue related research summary

Purpose Variables Correlations Reference 

Investigate dynamic strength and 

fracture toughness

Standard exposure 

strategies

SLM fatigue strength comparable to 

conventional manufactured parts

[83]

Investigate fatigue and crack growth 

of TiAl6V4 PBF in the z-direction

Temperature, atmosphere Micron sized pores mainly affect fatigue 

strength, residual stresses have a strong impact 

on fatigue crack growth

[93]

Functional parts for formula race car Static and dynamic stress Parts can be manufactured with SLM, brackets 

survived a year of racing

[42]

Investigate microstructure, high 

cycle fatigue, and fracture behavior 

of PBF samples

Build platform 

temperature, vertical 

build orientation, and 

heat treat

Post heat treatment has the most considerable 

effect and the building direction has the least 

on fatigue. Fatigue of samples is higher than 

standard DIN EN 1706

[112]

Investigate and compare fatigue 

performance PBF stainless steel 

parts to conventionally processed 

materials

Static and dynamic stress As fabricated were the weakest, polished was 

slightly better than machined

[115]

Fatigue performance of Ti-6Al-4V Roughness Drastic decrement of fatigue limit due to poor 

surface quality

[116]

[117]

Fatigue performance of PBF parts Temperature, vertical/ 

horizontal build 

orientation, and heat treat

Horizontally built samples showed relatively 

better tensile properties as compared with the 

vertically built samples

[113]