TWI installs novel wire-feed head for Additive Manufacturing of tool dies

September 22, 2021

TWI intends its wire-feed head for Directed Energy Deposition to find uses in coatings, freeform AM and the remanufacture & repair of parts (Courtesy TWI)

TWI, Cambridge, UK, has recently installed and integrated a novel wire-feed head for wire-based Directed Energy Deposition (DED), referred to by the company as wire laser metal deposition (w-LMD), in its KUKA robot cell. The head was designed and developed by Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies (HMT), Moira, Leicestershire, UK, as part of InnovateUK project FastWireAM.

Wire-based DED is an Additive Manufacturing technique which uses a laser beam to generate a molten pool of material onto a substrate. It then feeds wire feedstock – either coaxially or through a side-feed – into the melt pool to deposit a continuous bead of material. This deposited material is then built up layer by layer to produce the desired part.

The design of the head installed at TWI offers the simplicity of a side-feed set-up, whilst still allowing for stable effective-omnidirectional deposition of material. The system can also achieve a deposition rate of between 0.5 – 4 kg/hr, depending on the material and geometry requirements.

Current work is focussed on evaluating the stability and flexibility of the deposition process and developing a process window for a novel low-alloy tool steel feedstock developed by Epoch Wires. The company, alongside its FastWireAM partners, has already shown a use potential for the wire-based DED head by this feedstock as a coating for an automotive tool die provided by potential end-user DGWeld.

Watch TWI’s video demonstration here

www.twi-global.com

In the latest issue of Metal AM magazine

Download PDF
 

Extensive AM industry news coverage, as well as the following exclusive deep-dive articles:

  • LEAP 71: Why engineering must move beyond CAD to realise the promise of AI and Additive Manufacturing
  • Additive Manufacturing and European defence: a critical opportunity as the US and China accelerate ahead
  • A market analyst’s view: Europe’s opportunity as defence AM surges in the US and China
  • From Fixed Processes to flight parts: How REM’s advanced surface finishing supports NASA JPL’s AM innovations
  • The future of large metal parts: WAAMathon #2 showcases developments in Wire Arc Directed Energy Deposition
  • Wire Electron Beam Directed Energy Deposition (DED): Advancing productivity and sustainability in metal AM
  • Building trust in AM: How Qualified AM GmbH is enabling regulated production at scale

TRUSTED CONTENT. TARGETED AUDIENCE

Advertise with Metal AM and access a global base of 50,000+ AM professionals.

Contact Jon Craxford: [email protected]

  • AM machines
  • Process monitoring & calibration
  • Heat treatment & sintering
  • HIP systems & services
  • Pre- & post-processing technology
  • Powders, powder production and analysis
  • Part manufacturers
  • Consulting, training & market data

Don’t miss a thing – register for our newsletter

Don't miss any new issue of Metal AM magazine, and get the latest industry news. Sign up to our twice weekly newsletter.

Register now

Join 40,000+ other AM professionals – follow us online

About Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine

Metal AM magazine, published quarterly in digital and print formats, is read by a rapidly expanding international audience.

Our audience includes component manufacturers, end-users, materials and equipment suppliers, analysts, researchers and more.

In addition to providing extensive industry news coverage, Metal AM magazine is known for exclusive, in-depth articles and technical reports.

Our focus is the entire metal AM process from design to application.

Each issue is available as an easy-to-navigate digital edition and a high-quality print publication.

Discover our magazine archive…

The free to access Metal Additive Manufacturing magazine archive offers unparalleled insight into the world of metal Additive Manufacturing from a commercial and technological perspective through:

  • Reports on visits to leading metal AM part manufacturers and industry suppliers
  • Articles on technology and application trends
  • Information on materials developments
  • Reviews of key technical presentations from the international conference circuit
  • International industry news

All past issues are available to download as free PDFs or view in your browser.

Browse the archive

Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap