Overview
High Deposition Robotic Arc Additive Manufacturing Process Development (2019-375-002)
Project Team:
- EWI, INC
- Austal, USA
- NSWC-Carderock
2019
NSRP ASE Investment: $150K
Objective:
The goal of this project is to develop high deposition Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) robotic Additive Manufacturing (AM) process technology and establish process metrics for building large shapes and features on candidate material applications. The project objectives include:
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- Identify a candidate application and select a material for -GMAW AM technology development,
- Evaluate GMA waveforms for maximum melting rate (lbs/amp) to minimize total heat input for building bulk shapes and controlling features (near net shape),
- Develop GMA AM procedure models for the candidate material to control edge and layer features for building single-pass per layer walls and multiple pass per layer blocks,
- Build prototype process qualifications for the selected application to establish structural properties and process-feature-property relationships, and
- Provide GMA AM process metrics for the selected application as an alternative to conventional shipbuilding processes.
Project Results:
The project team determined optimal electrode/wire arrangements and welding processes, with deposition rates 2X-3X the baseline process, along with performance parameters such as deposition dimensions, directional attributes, and mechanical properties through construction and evaluation of test shape articles.
Key Deliverables
Request final Report from NSRP– Distribution is Authorized to NSRP – ASE Program Representatives and the U.S. Shipbuilding and Repair Industry