Laser Material Deposition

Overview

Our range of services

At the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT, Laser Material Deposition (LMD) has been intensively researched and systematically developed for a wide range of applications and industries for more than 30 years.

With LMD, metal layers with thicknesses between 0.01 mm and 2 mm can be applied with high precision to almost any metallic material in a very short time. By overlapping several deposited tracks, two-dimensional coatings, for example for wear and corrosion protection or functional coatings, can be produced. If several layers are deposited on top of each other, the process can also be used for additive manufacturing including processes for repair applications and individualization of prefabricated parts (hybrid AM). Due to the precisely controllable energy input, components and alloys that are generally considered difficult to weld can be processed. The easy adaptability and flexibility for different fields of application (coating, repair and additive manufacturing) and its simple integrability into existing process chains make the process particularly attractive for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Beschichtung einer PKW-Bremsscheibe mittels EHLA.
© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen.
Coating of a car brake disc using EHLA
6-Achs-Knickarm-Roboter mit Draht-Auftragschweißkopf und Werkzeugwechsler.
© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen.
6-axis robot with processing head for wire LMD and tool changer
Hybrid-additiv gefertigte BLISK mit Prozessmessdaten-Repräsentation.
© Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen.
Process measurement data projected on a BLISK produced with hybrid additive manufacturing

Fraunhofer ILT supports you from idea generation and consulting to the development of adapted processes, system technology and process monitoring up to process transfer to customized machines. A wide range of available machine and system technology, analysis capacity and comprehensive know-how in development for diverse user industries, such as aerospace, automotive or energy, allow the efficient implementation of a diverse projects.

Coating LMD and Heat Treatment

  • Laser Material Deposition with layer thicknesses starting at 30 µm
  • Extreme High-speed Laser Material Deposition (EHLA)
  • Wear and corrosion protection, as well as functional layers
  • Development of ready-to-use processes for large-scale production
  • Process chains for Laser Material Deposition with integration of upstream and downstream process steps
  • Pre-development, conversion and equipping of innovative plant and system technology for powder-based processes
  • Development of customized materials
  • Qualification of new material classes (e. g. HEA)
  • Graded and hybrid materials
  • Processing of extreme brittle materials

Viktor Glushych M. Sc.

Phone: +49 241 8906-152
E-Mail: viktor.glushych@ilt.fraunhofer.de

 

Additive manufacturing and repair LMD

  • Process development and validation for additive manufacturing and repair using Laser Material Deposition with various kinematics (CNC, robotic, and tripod)
  • Additive manufacturing and repair of large, high-value components
  • Powder-based Laser Material Deposition with specially adapted powder feed system technology
  • Wire-based Laser Material Deposition with specially developed coaxial wire welding optics
  • EHLA3D: further development of the highly productive EHLA coating process for additive manufacturing and free-form surface processing
  • System-integrated scanning and adaptive path planning on free-form surfaces

Min-Uh Ko M.Sc.

Phone: +49 241 8906-8441
E-Mail: min-uh.ko@ilt.fraunhofer.de

Brochures

Our brochures offer a quick view onto our service portfolio. Find more detailed information in the “project results“ tab.

 

"Effective protection against wear and corrosion with the EHLA-Process"

 

"Laser technology for repair and functionalization"

 

"System engineering for powder-based laser cladding"

 

"Material development for Additive Manufacturing"

Videos

 

Effective brake disc protection with EHLA

 

Cost-efficient 3D printing with wire LMD

 

ProLMD: Process and system technology for hybrid additive manufacturing with LMD

 

futureAM - Next Generation Additive Manufacturing

 

Corrosion protection: coating components with LMD

 

More Videos

A selection of videos on additive manufacturing and other R&D topics can be found on the Fraunhofer ILT YouTube page. 

-> Berthold Leibinger Innovationspreis 2018 for the EHLA team

Markets

Laser technology can solve demanding tasks in many different industries. Whether as a tool in automotive production, as measuring equipment in the environmental sector, as a diagnostic or therapeutic instrument in medical technology or as a communication medium in space technology, the laser provides multiple uses with high productivity and high efficiency.

Read up about the innovations of the Fraunhofer ILT in a few selected industries and convince yourself!

 

Research with us!

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about general topics! Our contact persons are happy to get in touch with you.