MULTI-BEAM LASER ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

摘要

Today, Laser Additive Manufacturing (LAM) istypically performed using a single beam with powerup to multiple-kilowatts. The associated high heatinput and limited process control hampers tightmanufacturing tolerances and the applicable materialspectrum. This paper highlights the development ofMulti-beam LAM technology to address theshortfalls of today’s technology and to broaden theapplicability to many industries. Multi-beam LAMdeploys several low power beams, each preciselycontrollable with a minimum heat input thusproviding the capability to tailor the applied energyto the specific needs of the application. The singlebeams either work in parallel to scale productivitywithout sacrificing precision or in close proximitycreating desired heat profiles. This new approach isscalable in productivity through multiplication and isexpected to allow deposition of difficult to coatmaterials through tailored heat profiles. Advancesare expected in near net shape manufacturing ofcomplex structures with fine features and highdimensional accuracy.A compact prototype processing head for Multi-beamLAM was designed and built to investigate thecapability of the new technology. The headincorporates latest high-brightness diode lasertechnology and a compact powder nozzle design.Two laser beams are being emitted, a stationary beamwith fixed position on the work piece and a movablebeam that can be positioned relative to the stationarybeam. A very effective solution with high spatialresolution and fast actuation was developed forsteering the movable laser beam. The movable beamcannot only be set to a fixed position but it can alsobe scanned at high frequencies. The power of bothbeams is individually controlled. Ongoing processinvestigations and future MB-LAM target specificapplications for vehicles, jet engines and medicaldevices serving the automotive, aerospace, medicaland defence sector. Initial results are being presented.