Automated laser metal deposition welding in the field of tool and mould making

Abstract

Throughout this scientific work examinations on an automated process chain for laser metal deposition (LMD) welding of metallic functional layers on a submatrix are carried out. First tests on metal sheets are made with a disc laser and a laser metal deposition - packet. The developed process chain ranges from part recognition and 3D file processing up to the finished component. Furthermore the influence of the welding and process parameters towards the hardness profile of the deposition layers, the heat affected zone and the submatrix are investigated. Moreover the correlation between inserted carbides and the hardness profile of the deposition layers are analyzed. These functional layers are produced by laser deposition of a metal powder compound and examined for their metallurgical and physical properties. Another approach of this paper is the manipulation of the welding powder particle distribution throughout the weld pool. The influence of process gases on the temperature gradient at the weld pool surface is investigated to receive information about the liquid metal flow when welding. The aim is to achieve a repetitious accumulation of carbide particles at certain locations by means of influence of weld pool flow dynamics.Throughout this scientific work examinations on an automated process chain for laser metal deposition (LMD) welding of metallic functional layers on a submatrix are carried out. First tests on metal sheets are made with a disc laser and a laser metal deposition - packet. The developed process chain ranges from part recognition and 3D file processing up to the finished component. Furthermore the influence of the welding and process parameters towards the hardness profile of the deposition layers, the heat affected zone and the submatrix are investigated. Moreover the correlation between inserted carbides and the hardness profile of the deposition layers are analyzed. These functional layers are produced by laser deposition of a metal powder compound and examined for their metallurgical and physical properties. Another approach of this paper is the manipulation of the welding powder particle distribution throughout the weld pool. The influence of process gases on the temperature gradient at the weld pool su...