Utilization of engineered (embedded) features in additive manufactured parts for calibration of ultrasonic testing equipment

Metal additive manufacturing is an innovative technology that opens up new visions in any industrial field these days. This technology is growing rapidly, entering various industries every day. After over 30 years from the introduction of metal additive manufacturing into the industrial world, today’s demand is to make mechanical parts with high precision by metal additive manufacturing. Until now, methods like high precision grinding or micro-machining processes are used to make more precise dimensions in parts. Those methods have their own limits that could be eliminated with additive manufacturing. In this paper, attempts are made to compare conventional precise processes with metal additive manufacturing from different aspects. Surface finish in these two categories is discussed and some advice for improving the surface quality of metal additive manufacturing parts is proposed. Applicability and utilization of metal additive manufacturing as a precise metal fabrication method in various industries are also discussed.