Laser Wire Additive Manufacturing

In the laser laser-based wirefeed systems, such as Laser Metal Deposition-wire (LMD-w):

• Metal wire is fed through a nozzle.
• Wire is melted by a laser using inert gas shielding in either an open environment (gas surrounding the laser), or in a sealed chamber.
• Molten metal is deposited in a shape specified by the CNC control.  

Applications 

• Large sized metal parts in Marine, Aerospace, Energy and Defense industries.
• The process can serve as an alternative to Casting.

6ftx20in stainless steel propeller blade weighing 170lbs. The blade features a hollow interior with .25in sidewall and is made with little porosity or impurities due to closed loop senor system developed by MWES.

Fully stainless steel airplane. Weighing in at approximately 100 lbs. and 48in long, the plane body was made in Stainless Steel while the wings and tails in super duplex stainless steel. Total project printing time was 20 hours.

References:
Midwest Engineering Systems