Additive manufacturing quality control systems

Abstract

A method includes receiving torque data of a powder recoater operatively connected to an additive manufacturing system. The torque data includes torque data of the recoater when the recoater traverses a build area. Receiving torque data includes receiving force data from a plurality of load cells, each load cell operatively associated with a blade segment of a recoater blade assembly. The method also includes determining a quality of one or more of an additive manufacturing process and/or product based on the torque data.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A recoater blade assembly, comprising,
 a shaft;   a plurality of collars rotatably disposed around the shaft, each collar including a blade segment rigidly connected to the collar; and   a plurality of load cells that are configured to sense force between the shaft and the collars.   
     
     
         2 . The recoater blade assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each load cell disposed between a collar flange and a shaft flange.