The characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of powder-laying laser cladding metal 3D printing technology and equipment are as follows:
Technical characteristics:
Advantages:
High density: Due to the high energy density of the laser, the molten metal powder quickly cools and solidifies to form dense metal parts with high mechanical properties and corrosion resistance;
High material utilization: Compared with traditional processing methods, this technology can greatly reduce material waste and improve material utilization;
High design freedom: It can manufacture metal parts with complex shapes, which is not restricted by traditional processing methods, providing more possibilities for design innovation;
Wide range of applicable materials: Various metal materials can be used for printing, including refractory metals and alloys, to meet the needs of different fields.
Disadvantages:
High surface roughness: Due to the characteristics of metal powder and the rapid solidification of the molten pool during laser cladding, the surface of the workpiece may be relatively rough, requiring subsequent mechanical processing or polishing;
Large residual stress: During the printing process, due to the rapid thermal cycle and cooling speed, large residual stress may be generated, affecting the dimensional accuracy and mechanical properties of the parts, and appropriate stress relief treatment is required;
Low production efficiency: The production efficiency of this technology is relatively low, especially when printing large parts or batch production, which takes a long time.
Equipment features:
Advantages:
High precision: Using imported high-precision galvanometer system and correction files, equipped with internationally mature slicing and path planning software, the printing accuracy and surface quality of parts are improved;
High stability: Equipped with vacuum pumps and various high-precision sensors, real-time detection of oxygen content, pressure, temperature and humidity in the sealed cavity, etc., to ensure the stability and safety of equipment operation;
Good flexibility: A variety of materials can be printed, from various plastics to metals, ceramics and rubber. Some printers can also combine different media to make the printed object hard at one end and soft at the other end;
Widely used: can be used in the medical, automotive, mold, aerospace and other industries to manufacture various parts and products.
Disadvantages:
High equipment cost: It needs to be equipped with high-precision optical systems, motion control systems and inert gas protection systems, etc., and the equipment cost is relatively high;
High maintenance requirements: During the laser cladding process, smoke and splashes will be generated, and the equipment needs to be maintained and cleaned regularly to ensure the normal operation of the equipment.
In general, powder-laying laser cladding metal 3D printing technology and equipment have the advantages of high precision, high material utilization, and high design freedom, but they also have disadvantages such as high surface roughness, large residual stress, and low production efficiency. In practical applications, it is necessary to select and optimize according to specific needs and conditions.
