Multi sensor monitoring of the wire-melt pool interaction in hot-wire directed energy deposition using laser beam

Abstract

This study investigates the combination of three sensors to improve in-process monitoring of the liquid bridge between the feedstock wire and melt pool in hot-wire Directed Energy Deposition using Laser Beam. The stability of the deposition process relies on the transfer of metal between the molten feedstock wire and melt pool. Therefore, monitoring the condition of the liquid bridge and the interaction between the feedstock wire and melt pool is crucial. By utilizing a laser-optics-integrated visible range optical spectrometer and electrical sensors measuring voltage and current, relevant process changes and indications of instabilities were detected. Combined information from the current sensor and the spectrometer provided a better understanding of the process and helped to identify deviations leading to unstable deposition modes.