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Laser Cladding

Laser cladding of metals and alloys is a process in which the laser is used as a heat source to melt the addition material to create a coating onto the surface of a part. A powder injection technique is typically used to create a protective coating for increased functionality, as well as restore damaged or worn surfaces. Laser cladding allows extended life of equipment and machinery in which parts are exposed to corrosion, wear or impact.

High quality parts built using base materials have a lower cost with the outer layer optimized for the application
Minimal heat input on the part eliminating distortion effects
Less interface chemistry dilution - fewer layers, better thickness control and lower heat input
Laser pre-cleaning of the part increases adhesion and reduces porosity
Easily automated and repeatable

Extend the life of your equipment - contact a local IPG laser cladding engineer to learn how.

laser cladding - additive manufacturing and 3D printing propeller

Why are more manufacturers adopting fiber laser cladding technology?

Benefits of laser cladding over alternate technologies include better metallurgy (bonding, hardness or porosity) as well as reduced part deformation and stress due to lower overall heat input. Thin-coat applications can be thinner, saving powder costs, and in most cases lasers have a significantly shorter cycle time. In all cases the ease of automation leads to higher part quality, improved productivity, and overall lower operating costs.

Arc Welding vs Fiber Laser Cladding

All arc welding processes can be used for cladding, using additional filler wire if necessary to build up thickness. Most arc cladding processes are manual, and skilled craftsmen are necessary to produce good quality.

Having deposition rates as high as an arc process, fiber lasers melt less of the target material, causing less mixing with, and dilution of, the desired outer coating. This results in thinner coatings, less material used, shorter cycle times and reduced processing cost.

Cold Spraying vs Fiber Laser Cladding

Cold spraying is a mechanical bonding process that sends particles at a very high velocity to the part surface where they deform plastically and mechanically bond. Coating adhesion is strong, and coatings are very dense, however most efficient processes use large quantities of helium as the carrier gas.

Laser cladding eliminates the need for costly helium, has a higher powder deposition efficiency and a much shorter process cycle time.

Process Uniformity

IPG fiber lasers deliver constant, stable, laser heating that results in repeatable, high-yielding parts. Unlike other solutions that suffer from power level fluctuations and degradations over time, the IPG solid-state fiber laser technology ensures repeatable performance without the need for recalibration and adjustment.

Power Efficiency Reduces Costs

Cladding uses a lot of energy over extended periods of time, so energy efficiency has a big effect on production costs. IPG fiber lasers have the highest wall plug efficiency in the industry, meaning that more of your electricity is cladding parts – not just producing inefficient equipment heat that must be removed.

Robust and Reliable Equipment

Cladding centers are typically harsh industrial environments where dust and operating conditions are challenging for equipment. IPG YLS Fiber Lasers for cladding applications are entirely solid state, and are housed in a NEMA 12, air-conditioned and sealed cabinets adding to the robustness of the unit.

Applications

Laser Cladding