In prior work, Zeltmann, et al. demonstrated the negative impact that can be created by defects of various sizes in 3D printed objects. These defects may make the object unsuitable for its application or even present a hazard, if the object is being used for a safety-critical application. With the uses of 3D printing proliferating and consumer access to printers increasing, the desire of a nefarious individual or group to subvert the desired printing quality and safety attributes of a printer or printed object must be considered. Several different approaches to subversion may exist. Attackers may physically impair the functionality of the printer or launch a cyber-attack. Detecting introduced defects, from either attack, is critical to maintaining public trust in 3D printed objects and the technology. This paper presents an alternate approach. It applies a quality assurance technology based on visible light sensing to this challenge and assesses its capability for detecting introduced defects of multiple sizes.

Date Published: 6 June 2017
PDF: 14 pages
Proc. SPIE 10203, Pattern Recognition and Tracking XXVIII, 102030L (6 June 2017); doi: 10.1117/12.2264588

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 10203:
Pattern Recognition and Tracking XXVIII
Mohammad S. Alam, Editor(s)