Devices, systems, and methods for monitoring a powder layer in additive manufacturing processes

An additive manufacturing system, the additive manufacturing system comprising:

• a build chamber comprising a powder distributor and a powder bed, the powder bed supporting a powder layer thereon, the powder distributor movable over the powder bed to distribute the powder layer;
• a dynamic optical element positioned adjacent to the build chamber;
• a plurality of imaging devices positioned adjacent to the build chamber and optically coupled to the dynamic optical element such that a field of view of a first imaging device of the plurality of imaging devices is directed towards a leading region of interest located adjacent to a leading end of the powder distributor and such that a field of view of a second imaging device of the plurality of imaging devices is directed towards a trailing region of interest located adjacent to a trailing end of the powder distributor;
• and
• a control component communicatively coupled to each of the plurality of imaging devices, the control component configured to receive image data from the plurality of imaging devices, select at least one point on the powder bed that is located within the leading region of interest, determine one or more first characteristics of the at least one point, determine one or more second characteristics of the at least one point when the powder distributor moves such that the at least one point is located within the trailing region of interest, and compare the one or more first characteristics with the one or more second characteristics to monitor the powder layer.