An empirical model for feedforward control of laser powder bed fusion

Abstract

Highlights• Laser scanning of narrow features in LPBF parts results in predictable changes in melt pool geometry as observed in coaxial melt pool images.• An empirical model of this geometry-related behavior, validated on different geometries, is presented.• A model-based feedforward controller is designed to correct for this behavior. The proposed controller reduces geometry-related deviations by a factor of two, as demonstrated experimentally.