Laser cladding

Discover the World of Laser Cladding – a modern technology that allows for precise layer deposition, repairing or modifying metallic workpieces with the highest accuracy.

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Laser cladding – Laser coating

 

Laser deposition welding (LMD – Laser Metal Deposition) is an additive manufacturing process within laser surface technology, where the high energy of the laser is used to deposit an additional layer of material onto a workpiece. In this process, the base material of the workpiece and an externally supplied metal, in the form of metal powder or wire, are metallurgically fused together through a laser welding technique.

Main Applications:

  • Repair of worn components
  • Coating of parts with materials to enhance corrosion and/or wear resistance

This additive process (also known as laser cladding) is used to recondition the surface structure of a workpiece or improve its surface quality, and to protect the workpiece from wear and/or corrosion with a new surface layer. Laser deposition welding, or laser coating, allows for precise control over layer thickness and minimizes warping and thermal stress of the workpiece compared to traditional welding techniques.

In laser powder deposition welding, a powdered additive material is melted and applied onto an existing component using a laser. This results in a pore- and crack-free layer with minimal mixing and a low heat-affected zone. This process enhances the resistance and load-bearing capacity of the components. Wear and corrosion are significant cost factors in nearly all production processes today.

Few areas are immune to the loss of functionality in components due to wear or corrosion. The material deposited by laser can significantly improve or even prevent this. Damaged or worn parts can be cost-effectively repaired, and the wear resistance and longevity of components can be enhanced through laser coating.

The advantages of using a cost-effective base material are maximized when only the areas of the component that are subject to wear or corrosion are coated. This is where the benefit of selective laser deposition comes into play.

In Summary

Advantages of Laser Deposition Welding:

  • Low Mixing (less than 5%)
  • Metallic Bond and Low Porosity
  • Very Low Distortion Due to Low Energy Input
  • Good Surface Quality with Low Roughness
  • High Powder Efficiency (up to 90%)
  • High Process Speed (up to 3 m/min)

Through the precise control of the laser beam and the welding material, laser deposition welding enables high reproducibility and quality of the welds. At NUTECH, we are capable of processing workpieces both externally and internally. This includes the use of optics developed through our laser system technology. Our optimized process achieves layer thicknesses of 0.5 to 2 mm and track widths of 1 to 16 mm. By applying multiple layers, almost any type of surface geometry can be created or refined through laser coating. It is an extremely versatile technique used for maintenance, repair, surface enhancement, and the production of custom components, particularly in fields such as aerospace, automotive, tool and mold making, and the energy sector.

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For any questions about our range of services, laser technology, or our offers, you can contact us here. We are happy to advise you on your industry-specific needs and develop a suitable solution together with you.

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