Luminescent Marker Powder for Additive Manufacturing Traceability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In layer additive manufacturing methods, such as laser sintering, it is challenging to distinguish between different powders based on their origin without altering their appearance, which is crucial for quality control, failure analysis, and tracing the supplier of the raw materials used in the manufacturing process.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the mixing of a marker powder with the starting powder, where the marker powder is luminescent and added in a minimal proportion to maintain the powder's properties, allowing identification through luminescence analysis when irradiated with specific wavelengths, enabling tracing of the powder's origin and manufacturer without affecting the final product's appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If colour pigments are added to the powder to label different powder characteristics, then the identification of powder origin is improved, but the final colour of the object is affected which is undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (luminescent marker powder) that enables identification without directly affecting the visible properties of the final product. The marker powder acts as a mediator between the need for identification and the requirement to maintain aesthetic appearance, allowing traceability through luminescence detection while remaining invisible under normal lighting conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes luminescence (a form of light emission) as an alternative to color pigmentation. The marker powder exhibits luminescent properties that can be detected under specific excitation conditions, providing identification capability without introducing visible color changes to the final object under normal viewing conditions
2Measurement precision
If elaborate analysis of the powder is performed to determine whether additives were added, then the identification accuracy is improved, but the complexity and cost of the process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating the luminescent marker into the powder during the manufacturing process, before the additive manufacturing process begins. This pre-labeling approach eliminates the need for complex post-process analysis, as the marker is already integrated and can be easily detected through simple luminescence testing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or chemical analysis systems with a simpler optical detection system. Instead of using elaborate analytical instruments to identify powder composition, the system uses luminescence detection under specific wavelength irradiation, which is a more straightforward and less complex measurement approach
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise identification of the starting powder used in additive layer manufacturing, even after years, without damaging the object, and allows tracing of the supplier and production details, ensuring accurate quality control and failure analysis without altering the powder or product appearance.
Implementation Method 1
a substance is chosen as marker, which shows a luminescence when being irradiated with light having a wavelength outside of the visible region such as infrared light or ultraviolet light
Data Source
AI summary
A method is presented that makes possible the labelling of powders that can be applied as building material in a layer-additive manufacturing method such as a selective laser sintering method. To this effect the powder is mixed with at least one salt of a metal of the rare earths, wherein the salt has the property that it shows a luminescence when being irradiated with photons having a wavelength outside of the visible spectrum or with particle radiation. Thereby, parts that have been manufactured by means of the layer-additive manufacturing method can be identified with regard to the manufacturer, the place of manufacture or the manufacture date.