Innovative laser consolidation process for making net-shape functional components for various industrial applications

Abstract

Laser consolidation is a novel computer-aided manufacturing process being developed by the Industrial Materials Institute of National Research Council of Canada (NRC-IMI). This rapid manufacturing process produces net-shape functional metallic parts layer by layer directly from a CAD model by using a laser beam to melt the injected powder and re-solidifying it on the substrate or previous layer. As an alternative to the conventional machining process, this novel manufacturing process builds net-shape functional parts or features on an existing part by adding instead of removing material. In this paper, NRC-IMI’s recent progress on the development of laser consolidation process for various industrial applications will be reviewed. The functional properties of laser consolidated materials will be briefly discussed in relevance to the specific industrial applications.Laser consolidation is a novel computer-aided manufacturing process being developed by the Industrial Materials Institute of National Research Council of Canada (NRC-IMI). This rapid manufacturing process produces net-shape functional metallic parts layer by layer directly from a CAD model by using a laser beam to melt the injected powder and re-solidifying it on the substrate or previous layer. As an alternative to the conventional machining process, this novel manufacturing process builds net-shape functional parts or features on an existing part by adding instead of removing material. In this paper, NRC-IMI’s recent progress on the development of laser consolidation process for various industrial applications will be reviewed. The functional properties of laser consolidated materials will be briefly discussed in relevance to the specific industrial applications.