Controlling the thickness of the plastic layer applied using 3D printing by electromagnetic acoustic method

Background: Currently, the EMA method is not used to control the thickness of the layer of plastic applied to a metal platform using 3D printing, which significantly limits the scope of its use. However, EMA flaw detectors are widely used to control the quality of the metal platform itself. The solution of the problem of radiation research will allow carrying out complex control of the thickness of the layer of plastic applied by 3D printing, which will increase the efficiency of ultrasonic flaw detection in the reliability and speed of work. Objective: This article considers the possibility of determining the thickness of the layer applied by 3D printing using electromagnetic-acoustic (EMA) method. Methods: The analysis of the relationship between the thicknesses of the layer of plastic applied by 3D printing on the acoustic pressure created in it during the control using EMA transducers. The influence of the thickness of the plastic layer applied to the metal platform by means of 3D printing on the acoustic parameters of the EMA transducer was investigated with the help of mathematical modeling. Experimentally obtained dependences showing the influence of the thickness of the layer applied by 3D printing on the generated acoustic pressure. Results. The effect of the thickness of the plastic layer applied to a metal platform using 3D printing on the acoustic parameters of the EMA transducer is studied using mathematical modelling. Dependences showing the effect of the thickness of the plastic layer applied to the metal platform using 3D printing on the created acoustic pressure are obtained experimentally. The maximum acoustic pressure is created when there is no thickness of the plastic layer applied to the metal platform using 3D printing. The pressure drops sharply, as the layer thickness increases. Conclusions: Good convergence of the outcome of theoretical and experimental studies is demonstrated, with the approximation error of experimentally obtained data generally not exceeding 5%. The study is based on a widely proven approach to analyzing the process of acoustic wave formation by an EMA transducer. The reliability of the results obtained is confirmed by the correct use of the mathematical tools and good convergence of the outcome of theoretical and experimental studies.