Title: A methodology for process parameter selection in five axis laser cladding

Authors: Iván Tabernero; Amaia Calleja; Aitzol Lamikiz; Luis Norberto López de Lacalle

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering of Bilbao, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Basque Country, Alameda Urquijo S/N, Bilbao – 48130 – Vizcaya, Spain ' Faculty of Engineering of Bilbao, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Basque Country, Alameda Urquijo S/N, Bilbao – 48130 – Vizcaya, Spain ' Faculty of Engineering of Bilbao, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Basque Country, Alameda Urquijo S/N, Bilbao – 48130 – Vizcaya, Spain ' Faculty of Engineering of Bilbao, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Basque Country, Alameda Urquijo S/N, Bilbao – 48130 – Vizcaya, Spain

Abstract: Laser cladding industrial development is becoming an important target for high added value parts manufacturing sectors. Aeronautical or automotive industries are accomplishing great investments in order to understand the process and minimise tuning step costs now paired with. At the moment, the process is applied to three axis or 3 + 2 axis strategies, being numerous works focused on the obtainment of process parameters. All of them try to minimise the number of experimental tests necessary to optimise the great variable involving the process. These variables increase when using laser cladding on five axis kinematics in order to accomplish new targets of industrial sectors which include complex parts with complex surface to clad. The work presents a methodology which helps to choose optimal parameters for five axis laser cladding. A weighted criterion is used in order to discern between different parameters taking into account process requirements. The methodology has been used on two materials and different objectives have been established for the criterion in each one. Finally, two test parts are presented as methodology validation in industrial applications.

Keywords: laser cladding; five axis kinematics; optimisation criterion; parameter selection; Inconel 718; AISI 316L; process parameters.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMS.2014.064744

International Journal of Mechatronics and Manufacturing Systems, 2014 Vol.7 No.2/3, pp.82 - 92

Received: 06 Nov 2013
Accepted: 06 Jan 2014
Published online: 21 Oct 2014 *

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