Abstract: Some embodiments provide a system and method comprising a memory and a processor to cause the system to: receive a first and second data distribution for a first and second variable, respectively; determine a first and second data optimum number of bins for the first and second data distribution, respectively; create a first and second model for the first and second data distribution using the first and second data optimum number of bins, respectively; apply the first model to the second data distribution to calculate a smallest descriptive size of the second data distribution given the first model; apply the second model to the first data distribution to calculate a smallest descriptive size of the first data distribution given the second model; and determine a causal direction between the first variable and the second variable based on the application of the first and second model. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Abstract: An additive manufacturing apparatus, a computing system, and a method for operating an additive manufacturing apparatus are provided. The method includes obtaining two or more images corresponding to respective build layers at a build plate, wherein each image comprises a plurality of data points comprising a feature and corresponding location at the build plate; removing variation between the features of the plurality of data points; and normalizing each feature to remove location dependence in the plurality of data points.