Product Code: ICAL08_107

Mitigation of Porosity in Laser Powder Deposition under Vibratory Condition
Authors:
Ehsan Foroozmehr, Center for Laser Aided Manufacturing, Southern Methodist University; Dallas TX USA
Radovan Kovacevic, Center for Laser Aided Manufacturing, Southern Methodist University; Dallas TX USA
Syed Hamid, Halliburton Energy Services; Carrollton TX USA
Presented at ICALEO 2008

Near-net shape fabrication processes, such as laser powder deposition (LPD) have been used as a unique technique in manufacturing components with complex geometry. Improving the quality of the final buildup is still of great interest. In this paper, the effect of in-process vibration on the porosity percentage and maximum pore size has been analyzed. An electromagnetic vibrator has been designed and manufactured in order to investigate the effect of vibration frequency and the direction of vibration with respect to the deposition direction (parallel or perpendicular) on the formation of porosity. The results show that by applying vibration in both directions, a significant decrease in the porosity percentage and maximum pore size is achieved. The perpendicular vibration, however, is shown to be more effective in reducing the porosity.