Laser Additive Manufacturing | Preco Laser & Die Cutting Solutions

Cladding with a Laser

Laser cladding is a process in which material is deposited on the surface of a part or work piece. The laser cladding process is ideally suited for and is often used to create an entirely new surface, as well as to repair damaged or worn surfaces (remanufacturing). It is even possible to create functionally graded coatings where the material composition of the coating can be changed on the fly, resulting in material properties tailored to particular areas of components.

Applications

Restoration of Bits, Dies, Industrial Blades, and Mortor Casings
Engine Components

Hard Facing
Highway Transportation
Ship Propellers

High-speed processing.

Preco's high-speed laser cladding in multiple areas on a machined component. Offering wear resistance through additive manufacturing.

Typically, a powder is introduced to a substrate, and then a laser beam is used to melt the powder onto the substrate. The clad material may also be introduced in a wire form. The process produces a 100% dense metallurgical bond deposit with minimal dilution of the base material for enhanced corrosion, abrasion, and wear resistance when used to laser-clad metals.

MATERIALS

Steels
High Carbon
Alloy Steels
Cast Irons
Aluminum Alloys
Nickel-Based Alloys
Titanium
Plastics
Dissimilar Metals

INDUSTRIES

Aerospace
Automotive
Marine
Oil and Gas

Advantages

There are significant advantages of laser cladding over standard or traditional weld cladding or hard facing.

Can produce denser coatings with little or no porosity, finer surface finishes, more consistent layer thicknesses, and more precise clad placement, than traditional thermal spray techniques.
Is inherently a low heat input process, resulting in low dilution, fine microstructures, small heat affected zones (HAZ), and low distortion.

Helps reduce processing time.
In specific applications, laser cladding may restore parts to their original dimensions without secondary operations.
Improves upon the materials inherent susceptibility to corrosion, wear and oxidation.

Preco has experience in hybrid and induction-assisted laser welding as well as cold wire feed welding, sometimes necessary if the weld chemistry requires an alteration in order to meet design requirements. More info is available on our laser welding systems, including the SL Series, ST Series, and RT Series. Contact us today to find out if laser welding is an ideal option for your material processing needs.