R Morgan

Experimental investigation of nanosecond pulsed Nd : YAG laser re-melted pre-placed powder beds

Describes the effects of the major process variables (Q‐switch pulse frequency, laser power, scan speed, scan spacing and scan length) on the production of single layer coupons. Results are compiled as a list of qualitative effects on the samples, such as degree of melting, shock compression effects, thermal stress cracking, etc. The results show that at certain pulse frequencies, evaporation recoil forces overcome the surface tension forces acting on the melt, improving cohesion compared to continuous wave (CW) lasing regime. The advantages lie in greater scan spacing and scan speeds enabling faster processing times for metallic objects built in this manner. The results also show the effect of power, scan speed, scan spacing and scan length on the morphology of the samples.

High density net shape components by direct laser re-melting of single-phase powders

Direct Metal Laser Re-Melting is a variant of the Selective Laser Sintering process, a Rapid Prototyping (RP) technology. This tool-less manufacturing technology has the potential of producing complex, high quality components from single-phase metal powders in short time scales. This is made possible by the production of consecutive two-dimensional layers. Unfortunately, finished components manufactured by this technique have their integrity and material properties dictated by the porosity within the laser re-melted structure. In order to maintain structural integrity comparable to conventionally produced components, metal components produced by the rapid prototyping method should exhibit a porosity of the order of maximum of ∼2% with corresponding bulk material properties. To achieve these objectives, process and laser parameters require optimisation for maximum densities to be attained. This paper reports on the development of a scanning strategy that produces stainless steel (316L) laser re-melted components which exhibit porosities of <1%, while maintaining the concept of rapid prototyping.

Cold Gas Dynamic Manufacturing - A New Approach to Near-Net Shape Metal Component Fabrication

Cold Gas Dynamic Manufacturing (CGDM) is a high-rate, direct deposition process capable of combining many dissimilar materials in the production of a single component. The process is based on Cold Gas Dynamic Spraying (CGDS) – a surface coating technology in which small, un-heated particles are accelerated to high velocities (typically above 500 m/s) in a supersonic gas jet and directed towards a substrate material. The process does not use a heat source (as with similar plasma and HVOF spray technologies), but rather employs the high kinetic energy of the particles to effect bonding through plastic deformation upon impact with the substrate or previously deposited layer. As a consequence it lends itself to the processing of temperature sensitive material systems such as oxidising, phase-sensitive or nano-structured materials. To achieve metallic bonding incident particles require velocities greater than a certain material-specific threshold value, such that thin surface films are ruptured, generating a direct interface. This bonding mechanism has been compared to explosive welding. This paper discusses the further development of the CGDS technique from surface coating technology into the basis for a novel Additive Fabrication process. The description of the apparatus is presented in addition to the basic processing conditions for the deposition of aluminium material. Particular attention is paid to the morphology of the deposited material, the microstructure and the interfacial boundary between splats.