Fabrication of artificial defects using 3D printing for non-destructive testing (NDT) applications

• Main Author: Hui, An Kai
• Other Authors: Xiao Zhongmin
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2022
• Subjects: Engineering::Mechanical engineering
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/157382
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Specimens of different materials and defects were designed using SolidWorks and fabricated using Additive Manufacturing. The procedure for metal printing is SLM and FDM for plastics. In this report, NDT application will be used to carry out the study, specifically Ultrasonic Testing. This report aims to test the feasibility of the specimens printed with defects inside compared with conventionally manufactured specimens in hopes to replace them. The specimens have varying shapes and sizes to challenge the limits and capabilities of UT when it comes to identifying unique looking defects and flaws. Microscopy testing was done on the 3D printed specimen to assess the printing accuracy of the technology behind additive manufacturing. A-Scan was calibrated in order to get the acoustic properties of the printed specimen and compared with the ones found on the internet. Thickness, feature types and different printing methods were evaluated to understand how these characteristics vary from one another. A-Scan was mainly used for this study. This report also shows the accuracy of 3D printed specimen and its results obtained are similar to the conventionally manufactured specimen although there are some differences. 3D printed plastic specimen has proven to be a potential future study for the upcoming FYP student. This report shows the feasibility of Additive Manufacturing and the use of NDT applications on it. Keywords: Non-Destructive Testing, Additive Manufacturing, A-Scan, Feasibility, Capabilities