Rapid prototyping by laser cladding

Abstract

Rapid prototyping by laser cladding offers the ability to make metal prototype components directly from CAD dimensions. A robotic controlled concentric powder/laser nozzle could fabricate the component one layer at a time. Each layer would have the homogeneity and small grain size characteristic of laser cladding. If the bulk material properties of the component were found to be uniform in all directions, the final prototype would rival that of a cast component. However, the time and cost could be reduced as much as orders of magnitude.