Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
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Integrated weld preparation designs for the joining of L-PBF and conventional components via TIG welding

2022-04-18 , Geisen, Ole , Müller, Vinzenz , Graf, Benjamin , Rethmeier, Michael

Laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) of entire assemblies is not typically practical for technical and economic reasons. The build size limitations and high production costs of L-PBF make it competitive for smaller, highly complex components, while the less complex elements of an assembly are manufactured conventionally. This leads to scenarios that use L-PBF only where it's beneficial, and it require an integration and joining to form the final product. For example, L-PBF combustion swirlers are welded onto cast parts to produce combustion systems for stationary gas turbines. Today, the welding process requires complex welding fixtures and tack welds to ensure the correct alignment and positioning of the parts for repeatable weld results. In this paper, L-PBF and milled weld preparations are presented as a way to simplify the Tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding of rotationally symmetrical geometries using integrated features for alignment and fixation. Pipe specimens with the proposed designs are manufactured in Inconel 625 using L-PBF and milling. The pipe assembly is tested and TIG welding is performed for validation. 3D scans of the pipes before and after welding are evaluated, and the weld quality is examined via metallography and computed tomography (CT) scans. All welds produced in this study passed the highest evaluation group B according to DIN 5817. Thanks to good component alignment, safe handling, and a stable welding process, the developed designs eliminate the need for part-specific fixtures, simplify the process chain, and increase the process reliability. The results are applicable to a wide range of components with similar requirements.

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Hybrides Auftragschweißen: Potentiale des laserunterstützten Plasma-Pulver-Auftragschweißens (PTA)

2018 , Brunner-Schwer, Christian , Graf, Benjamin , Rethmeier, Michael , Schreiber, Frank

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Laser-plasma-cladding as a hybrid metal deposition-technology applying a SLM-produced copper plasma nozzle

2018 , Brunner-Schwer, Christian , Kersting, Robert , Graf, Benjamin , Rethmeier, Michael

Laser-Metal-Deposition (LMD) and Plasma-Transferred-Arc (PTA) are well known technologies which can be used for cladding purposes. The prime objective in combining LMD and PTA as a Hybrid Metal Deposition-Technology (HMD) is to achieve high deposition rates at low thermal impact. Possible applications are coatings for wear protection or repair welding for components made of steel. The two energy sources (laser and plasma arc) build a joint process zone and are configurated to constitute a stable process at laser powers between 0.4-1 kW (defocused) and plasma currents between 75-200 A. Stainless steel 316L serves as filler material. For this HMD process, a plasma Cu-nozzle is designed and produced by powder bed based Selective Laser Melting. The potential of the HMD technology is investigated and discussed considering existing processes. This paper demonstrates how the interaction of the two energy sources effects the following application-relevant properties: deposition rate, powder efficiency and energy input.

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Automated tool-path generation for rapid manufacturing and numerical simulation of additive manufacturing LMD geometries

2019 , Biegler, Max , Wang, Jiahan , Graf, Benjamin , Rethmeier, Michael

In additive manufacturing (AM) Laser Metal Deposition (LMD), parts are built by welding layers of powder feedstock onto a substrate. Applications for steel powders include forging tools and structural components for various industries. For large parts, the choice of tool-paths influences the build-rate, the part performance and the distortions in a highly geometry-dependent manner. With weld-path lengths in the range of hundreds of meters, a reliable, automated tool path generation is essential for the usability of LMD processes. In this contribution, automated tool-path generation approaches are shown and their results are discussed for arbitrary geometries. The investigated path strategies are the classical approaches: ""Zig-zag-"" and ""contour-parallel-strategies"". After generation, the tool-paths are automatically formatted into g-code for experimental build-up and ASCII for a numerical simulation model. Finally, the tool paths are discussed in regards to volume-fill, microstructure and porosity for the experimental samples. This work presents a part of the IGF project 18737N ""Welding distortion simulation"" (FOSTA P1140)

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Prognose der Oberflächenbeschaffenheit für die additive Fertigung mittels Laser-Pulver-Auftragschweißen

2018 , Marko, Angelina , Petrat, Torsten , Graf, Benjamin , Rethmeier, Michael

In den letzten Jahren hat vor allem die Nachfrage nach additiven Fertigungstechnologien und Reparaturverfahren für hochfeste Werkstoffe einen starken Aufschwung erlebt. Ein Verfahren, welches sich neben der Herstellung von Beschichtungen besonders für diese Anwendungen eignet, ist das Laser-Pulver-Auftragschweißen. Es wird besonders für Reparaturen bzw. zur Herstellung von teuren Bauteilen, wie Werkzeugen oder Turbinenteilen, eingesetzt. Da diese Teile oft großen mechanischen sowie thermischen Belastungen ausgesetzt sind, ist es besonders wichtig, dass die erzeugte Struktur eine hohe Qualität aufweist. In dieser Arbeit wird die statistische Versuchsplanung genutzt, um Modelle für die Oberflächenbeschaffenheiten von Inconel 718 zu generieren. Als Grundlage dient hierbei ein zentral zusammengesetzter Versuchsplan mit großem Parameterfenster. So wird die Leistung zwischen 550 Watt und 1950 Watt, der Vorschub von 530 mm/min bis 920 mm/min, der Pulvermassenstrom von 3 g/min bis 12 g/min sowie der Spotdurchmesser von 1 mm bis 2 mm variiert. Auf diese Weise wird die Spurgeometrie beeinflusst. Darüber hinaus wird das Überlappungsverhältnis zwischen 20% bis 50 % verändert. Die Auswertung der Oberflächenbeschaffenheit erfolgt mit dem auf der Fokusvariation basierendem Oberflächenmessgerät Alicona Infinite- Focus. Dieses Verfahren der 3D Mikrokoordinatenmesstechnik gewährleistet eine zuverlässige Auswertung der Spurgeometrie, der Welligkeit sowie die Messung der mittleren arithmetischen Höhe Sa zur Bestimmung der Oberflächenrauheit. Anschließend werden die generierten Modelle verifiziert. Ziel dabei ist es, kostenintensive Vorversuche in Zukunft einzusparen. Darüber hinaus wird das Prozessverständnis erweitert und signifikante Einflussfaktoren identifiziert.

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Laser-Pulver-Auftragschweißen als Reperaturverfahren

2012 , Graf, Benjamin

Der Bedarf an innovativen Reparaturtechnologien steigt zusehends. Insbesondere das Laser-Pulver-Auftragschweißen rückt dabei in den Fokus des Interesses. Mit Hilfe dieses Verfahrens lassen sich Bauteile aus unterschiedlichsten Werkstoffen wiederherstellen: Dazu gehören metallische Standardwerkstoffe wie Edel-, Werkzeug- oder Vergütungsstähle sowie Titan-, Kupfer- oder Nickellegierungen. Selbst Bauteile aus Sphäroguss können damit bearbeitet werden. Im Vergleich zu konventionellen Verfahren bietet Laser-Pulver-Auftragschweißen durch den definierten Wärmeeintrag und den endkonturnahen Materialauftrag qualitative sowie wirtschaftliche Vorteile. Forscher am Fraunhofer IPK qualifizieren die Technologie für die Reparatur von hochpräzisen Bauteilen und temperaturempfindlichen Werkstoffen.

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Assessing the predictive capability of numerical additive manufacturing simulations via in-situ distortion measurements on a LMD component during build-up

2018 , Biegler, Max , Graf, Benjamin , Rethmeier, Michael

Due to rapid, localized heating and cooling, distortions accumulate in additive manufactured laser metal deposition (LMD) components, leading to a loss of dimensional accuracy or even cracking. Numerical welding simulations allow the prediction of these deviations and their optimization before conducting experiments. To assess the viability of the simulation tool for the use in a predictive manner, comprehensive validations with experimental results on the newly-built part need to be conducted. In this contribution, a predictive, mechanical simulation of a thin-walled, curved LMD geometry is shown for a 30-layer sample of 1.4404 stainless steel. The part distortions are determined experimentally via an in-situ digital image correlation measurement using the GOM Aramis system and compared with the simulation results. With this benchmark, the performance of a numerical welding simulation in additive manufacturing is discussed in terms of result accuracy and usability.

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Embedding electronics into additive manufactured components using laser metal deposition and selective laser melting

2018 , Petrat, Torsten , Kersting, Robert , Graf, Benjamin , Rethmeier, Michael

The paper deals with the integration of a light emitting diode (LED) into an additive manufactured metal component. Selective laser melting (SLM) and laser metal deposition (LMD) are used. The material used is the chrome-nickel steel 316L. The basic component is manufactured by means of SLM and consists of a solid body and an area with grid structure. The solid body includes a duct in the shape of a groove with a recess for the positioning of the power cable. The LED is embedded in the grid structure via an inlet from the solid body. In further processing, the groove is filled with LMD. Two strategies with different parameter combinations were investigated. It shows that a high energy input near the power cable leads to its destruction. By using multiple parameter combinations during the manufacturing process, this destruction can be prevented. There was a comparison of both strategies with regard to the necessary number of tracks and duration of welding time.

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Besser reparieren mit der Trumpf TruLaser Cell 7020

2012 , Graf, Benjamin