Resilient laser cladding with high-power laser

The Dresden-based institute and the company Laserline have now achieved and surpassed deposition rates with 20-kilowatt diode lasers which were previously only feasible using plasma-transferred arc processes (PTA). The partners have also made considerable progress compared to existing laser-based solutions: Depending on the specific material and the nozzle selected, HICLAD achieves deposition rates of 18 kilograms per hour in industrial use. For an Inconel 625 nickel alloy, for example, productivity can be roughly tripled compared to a solution using a conventional 9 kW laser. The exact values depend on the specific application scenario. Compared to competing solutions with high-power lasers, the Fraunhofer IWS process is considered more robust.

In contrast to powder-based laser cladding, wire-based processes were previously limited to a maximum of six kilowatts. COAXquattro now enables laser power of up to 20 kW to be used in the combination of wire and powder. This can play a decisive role in multimaterial development, for example of novel alloys. Different materials can be fed as required through each of four wire and powder channels. In addition, the comparatively short processing times shrink expenditures for staff, shielding gases and other operating costs. In general, the system is designed for particularly efficient material utilization as well as very robust and flexible process control with high quality.