The technology of Additive Manufacturing (AM) can use freedom of design and the integration of multiple functions to enable lightweight parts. Laser beam melting is powder bed based; therefore the powder characteristics have a decisive influence on the build process and the properties of the resulting part. This paper introduces a concept for a new powder production system for high-grade AM powder in small quantities for research and development based on the process of arc spraying. This new approach provides the possibility of investigating the effects of powder manufacturing on the downstream process chain (for instance powder removal and powder packaging) of the AM process. This publication describes experiments regarding the influence of process parameters (voltage, current, pressure and air cap). These influences are evaluated using high-speed camera and light microscope images.
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