Researchers focus on 3D repair

Conventional metal 3D-printed repair of damaged mechanical parts in machines requires bulky equipment and wastes metal powder. Although laser-directed energy deposition, or LDED, overcomes this challenge, the optimum forming conditions had to be determined hitherto by trial and error.

To this end, a team of researchers from Tokyo University of Science has developed a numerical method that automatically generates metal powder deposition elements and predicts forming process conditions, temperature distribution, the deformation state and residual stress distribution.

The research team demonstrated that LDED is superior to other repair methods in terms of interfacial strength and mechanical properties. Image courtesy of Masayuki Arai/Tokyo University of Science

Mechanical parts in industrial machinery and structures that develop thinning or cracks need to be replaced with new parts. In recent years, attempts at repair have been considered in relation to improving industrial sustainability. So repair technology for machines has been a hot topic of research and development.