Q3D: a complete solution for quality control and inspection in additive manufacturing processes

Purpose This paper aims to present an integrated system designed for quality control and inspection in additive manufacturing (AM) technologies. Design/methodology/approach The study undertakes a comprehensive examination of the process in three distinct stages. First, the quality of the feedstock material is inspected during the preprocessing step. Subsequently, the main research topic of the study is directed toward the 3D printing process itself with real-time monitoring procedures using computer vision methods. Finally, an evaluation of the 3D printed parts is conducted, using measuring methods and mechanical experiments. Findings The main results of this technical paper are the development and presentation of an integrated solution for quality control and inspection in AM processes. Originality/value The proposed solution entails the development of a promising tool for the optimization of the quality in 3D prints based on machine learning algorithms.