Direct micro laser cladding with microscale nanophased powders

Abstract

A manufacturing method is presented which is based on a very advanced small scale laser cladding technology and which is able to form solid metallic objects being composed of nanophased powders. New developments in powder feeding will be illustrated which can feed microparticles using a combination of brush feeder and ultrasonic vibration. Per layer two materials can be selected. A process chamber and an integrated observation microscope are presented. Full automation is assured using specially designed software and based on industrial standards of PXI technology. Agglomerated nano-phased systems were developed to respond to the needs of microfabrication in terms of phase sets, particle sizes and shapes. Focusing of the particles is realized using a coaxial nozzle. Experimental investigations confirm the high potential of this method through which can generate cladded layers smaller than 15 µm.