Ultra-high-speed Laser Material Deposition for Internal Surfaces

By: Thomas Schopphoven, Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT Coatings for Wear and Corrosion Protection When the integrity of a component is affected by the operational conditions, it may become necessary to additionally protect the material against this detrimental environment. Since most material damage processes, especially wear and corrosion, emanate from the surface or near […]

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3D Printing of Net Shape Geometries by Laser Metal Deposition

By Carl Hauser  Introduction An additive manufacturing method developed by TWI within the framework of an EU-funded project could drastically reduce component manufacturing times. TWI engineers have been using laser metal deposition (LMD) to produce net shape thin-walled engine casings, aiming to reduce the environmental impact of civil aerospace manufacturing. In LMD, a weld track […]

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Laser Metal Deposition & Laser Metal Fusion: Comparison of Processes & Their Uses

By Frank Geyer Additive manufacturing, especially “3D printing”, is a hot topic for many industries. While 3D printing in plastics has already reached the consumer level, additive manufacturing processes using metals are more complex and require extensive material and process knowledge. To understand 3D printing, it is important to first look at the three categories […]

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Digital Photonic Production – The Future of Laser Applications

By Reinhart Poprawe One of the main challenges of modern manufacturing is the dilemma between scale and scope, i.e., the ability to produce high volumes at low prices, yet systematically integrating the increasing demand for individuality in the products. As a consequence, concepts for one piece flow at the cost of mass production are developed. […]

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LAM 2015 Delivers Revolutionary Applications in Additive Manufacturing

BY GEOFF GIORDANO With more new workshops than ever purporting to give a true perspective on 3D printing and additive manufacturing, the Laser Institute of America’s Laser Additive Manufacturing (LAM®) Workshop has been ahead of the curve when it comes to realistic assessments of revolutionary industrial applications. In its seventh year, LAM 2015 will again […]

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