Automated Laser Fabrication (ALFa) is a step towards Feature based design and manufacturing. It is the extension of the laser cladding process to create three dimensional parts directly from their computer-aided design (CAD) models and desired powder materials.
Salient feature of Automated Laser Fabrication:
- Real time closed loop control of the material deposition process
- Near net shaping of 3D components
- Repairing or rebuilding of worn surfaces/engineering parts/tools
- Selective deposition of different material with matching chemistry
- Controlled intermetallic dilution due to better process control
- Good metallurgical bonding at the clad/substrate interface
- Low thermal distortion/ low residual stresses due to low heat input
- Almost no human intervention due to intelligent feedback control
- Overall short turn around time leading low cost manufacturing