Wire powder co-feed laser deposition apparatus and method for improving properties of deposited layers

Abstract

This invention discloses a laser deposition apparatus and method for simultaneously feeding wire and powder to improve the performance of deposited layers. The apparatus comprises: a support; a wire feeding device mounted on the support and adapted to feed wire to a substrate; a laser device mounted on the support and adapted to emit a laser to melt the wire to form a molten pool on the substrate; and a powder feeding device mounted on the support and adapted to feed composite particle powder to the molten pool. The composite particle powder includes micron-sized powder and nano-sized powder, with the nano-sized powder adhering to the outer surface of the micron-sized powder. The laser deposition apparatus for simultaneously feeding wire and powder to improve the performance of deposited layers according to embodiments of this invention has advantages such as short production cycle, low cost, high flexibility, good strength and plasticity of the deposited layer, and high reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of metal additive manufacturing technology, and more specifically, to a laser deposition apparatus and method for simultaneously feeding wire powder and other materials to improve the performance of the deposited layer. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of metal additive manufacturing, the performance of the deposited layer is often significantly insufficient during the laser deposition process. This is mainly manifested in the presence of coarse columnar crystals or dendritic structures in the microstructure, and the overall mechanical properties are low.

[0003] Laser metal deposition can be divided into two technical approaches: laser fused wire deposition and laser powder-fed deposition. Compared to powder-fed deposition, laser fused wire deposition has higher deposition efficiency and material utilization.

[0004] Laser deposition apparatuses in related technologies enhance the properties of the deposited layer by introducing hard particles into the material, including two methods: One approach involves prefabricating composite filaments and filling the core of the filament with hard particles or embedding them pre-embedded within the filament. However, this method is complex, has a long production cycle, and is costly. Furthermore, the size and content of the hard particles are limited by the filament diameter, affecting the uniformity of the deposited layer. In addition, because the particles are pre-fixed inside the filament, the particle type and content cannot be dynamically adjusted during subsequent deposition, lacking real-time control over particle introduction and limiting process flexibility.

[0005] Another approach is to introduce micron-sized hard reinforcing particles into the molten pool. During molten wire deposition, these particles are introduced into the deposition pool using a bypass feeding method. However, due to their large size, micron-sized particles are susceptible to hydrodynamic or thermal gradient effects within the molten pool, easily leading to uneven microstructure and stress concentration points in the deposited layer. Furthermore, micron-sized particles have a low nucleation point density and limited grain refinement ability, resulting in weak strength and plasticity enhancement of the deposited layer, making them unsuitable for applications requiring both high strength and high plasticity in parts. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention proposes a laser deposition apparatus for simultaneously feeding wire and powder to improve the performance of the deposited layer. This apparatus has advantages such as short production cycle, low cost, good flexibility, good strength and plasticity of the deposited layer, and high reliability.

[0007] This invention also proposes a laser deposition method for simultaneously delivering silk and powder to improve the performance of the deposited layer.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, a laser deposition apparatus for improving the performance of a deposited layer by co-feeding filament and powder is provided. The apparatus comprises: a support; a filament feeding device disposed on the support and adapted to feed filament to a substrate; a laser device disposed on the support and adapted to emit a laser to melt the filament to form a molten pool on the substrate; and a powder feeding device disposed on the support and adapted to feed composite particle powder to the molten pool, the composite particle powder comprising micron-sized powder and nano-sized powder, the nano-sized powder being attached to the outer surface of the micron-sized powder.

[0009] The laser deposition apparatus for simultaneously feeding wire and powder according to embodiments of the present invention for improving the performance of the deposited layer has advantages such as short production cycle, low cost, good flexibility, good strength and plasticity of the deposited layer, and high reliability.

[0010] In addition, the laser deposition apparatus for simultaneously feeding wire and powder according to the above embodiments of the present invention may also have the following additional technical features: According to one embodiment of the present invention, the micron-sized powder is made of the same material as the filament, and the nano-sized powder is hard ceramic particles.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the nanoscale powder is coated onto the micrometer-scale powder by ball milling or mechanical mixing.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the laser deposition apparatus for improving the performance of the deposited layer further includes: a powder container, wherein the composite particle powder is stored in the powder container and the powder container is in communication with the powder feeding device; and a stirring device adapted to stir the composite particle powder in the powder container.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the powder feeding device conveys the composite particle powder by means of an inert gas.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the laser device is a ring laser device, and the outlet of the wire feeding device is located radially inside the laser device and coaxially arranged with the laser device.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the powder feeding device is located radially outside the laser device.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the laser deposition apparatus for improving the performance of the deposited layer further includes a protective gas pipe adapted to deliver protective gas to the molten pool.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the laser deposition apparatus for improving the performance of the deposited layer further includes an air knife, the air knife being adapted to purge the laser apparatus.

[0018] According to an embodiment of a second aspect of the present invention, a method for co-depositing wire and powder laser deposition to improve the performance of a deposited layer is provided. The method employs the co-depositing wire and powder laser deposition apparatus for improving the performance of a deposited layer as described in an embodiment of a first aspect of the present invention, and includes the following steps: The composite particle powder is conveyed through the powder feeding device; Turn on the laser device; The filament is fed through the filament feeding device and deposited. After deposition is complete, stop the wire feeding device; Turn off the laser device; Stop the powder feeding device.

[0019] The silk-powder co-feed laser deposition method for improving the performance of the deposited layer according to embodiments of the present invention, by utilizing the silk-powder co-feed laser deposition apparatus for improving the performance of the deposited layer according to the first aspect of the present invention, has the advantages of short production cycle, low cost, good flexibility, good strength and plasticity of the deposited layer, and high reliability.

[0020] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a laser deposition apparatus for simultaneously delivering silk and powder according to an embodiment of the present invention, used to improve the performance of the deposited layer.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a laser deposition apparatus for simultaneously delivering silk and powder according to an embodiment of the present invention, used to improve the performance of the deposited layer.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of a laser deposition method for improving the performance of a deposited layer using co-deposited silk and powder, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Laser deposition device for simultaneously feeding wire and powder to improve the performance of the deposited layer; 10. Support; 20. Wire feeding device; 30. Laser device; 40. Powder feeding device; 50. Composite particle powder; 60. Protective gas tube; 70. Air knife; 2. Laser; 3. Substrate; 4. Molten pool; 5. Wire material. Detailed Implementation

[0025] This invention is based on the discovery of the following facts and problems: In fused wire deposition, micron-sized hard reinforcing particles are introduced into the molten pool using a bypass feeding method. However, due to their large size, micron-sized particles are susceptible to hydrodynamic or thermal gradient effects within the molten pool, leading to uneven microstructure and stress concentration points in the deposited layer. Furthermore, micron-sized particles have a low nucleation point density and limited grain refinement capabilities, resulting in weak strength and plasticity enhancement of the deposited layer, making them unsuitable for applications requiring both high strength and high plasticity in parts.

[0026] Compared with micron-sized powder, nano-sized powder has a higher nucleation point density and stronger grain refinement ability, resulting in better strengthening of the strength and plasticity of the deposited layer. However, its high specific surface area and surface energy can easily cause agglomeration and oxidation, affecting the uniformity of distribution and strengthening effect after the introduction of nano-sized powder.

[0027] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0028] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential," etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships, are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. Furthermore, features defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0029] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0030] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, describes a silk-powder co-feed laser deposition apparatus 1 for improving the performance of the deposited layer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] like Figures 1-3 As shown, the laser deposition apparatus 1 for improving the performance of the deposited layer by simultaneously feeding wire and powder according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a support 10, a wire feeding device 20, a laser device 30, and a powder feeding device 40.

[0032] A wire feeding device 20 is mounted on a support 10 and adapted to feed wire 5 to a substrate 3. A laser device 30 is mounted on the support 10 and adapted to emit a laser 2 to melt the wire 5 to form a molten pool 4 on the substrate 3. A powder feeding device 40 is mounted on the support 10 and adapted to feed composite particle powder 50 to the molten pool 4. The composite particle powder 50 includes micron-sized powder and nano-sized powder, wherein the nano-sized powder is attached to the outer surface of the micron-sized powder.

[0033] Specifically, the support 10 can be connected to a robotic arm, which can move the support 10, the filament feeding device 20, the laser device 30 and the powder feeding device 40 as a whole to perform laser deposition according to a predetermined route.

[0034] During the process of the laser device 30 melting the wire 5 with laser and depositing it in the molten pool 4, the composite particle powder 50 is transported in situ to the molten pool 4 through the powder feeding device 40, and solidified together with the wire 5 on the matrix 3. The composite particle powder 50 is used to introduce a reinforcing phase into the deposited layer, thereby improving the performance of the deposited layer.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the laser deposition apparatus 1 for improving the performance of the deposited layer by simultaneously feeding filament and powder can synchronously deliver composite particle powder 50 to the molten pool 4 in situ during the deposition of filament 5. Compared with the prefabrication of composite filament in related technologies, this method avoids the complex process of prefabrication of composite filament, significantly reduces costs and shortens the production cycle. It also avoids the limitation of the diameter of prefabricated composite filament on the size and content of composite particle powder 50, thereby improving the enhancement effect of composite particle powder 50 on the performance of the deposited layer. Moreover, the filament feeding device 20 and the powder feeding device 40 independently deliver filament 5 and composite particle powder 50, respectively. The delivery of composite particle powder 50 does not interfere with the normal melting and deposition of filament 5, and it is convenient to adjust the delivery of composite particle powder 50 in real time without replacing filament 5, thereby improving process flexibility and providing technical support for the application expansion of multi-material composite and personalized manufacturing.

[0036] Furthermore, by setting composite particle powder 50, which includes micron-sized powder and nano-sized powder, with the nano-sized powder attached to the outer surface of the micron-sized powder, compared with the related technology that only introduces micron-sized powder, on the one hand, by introducing nano-sized powder, the nucleation point density of nano-sized powder is higher and the grain refinement ability is stronger than that of micron-sized powder, resulting in a better effect on strengthening the strength and plasticity of the deposited layer. On the other hand, by attaching nano-sized powder to the outer surface of micron-sized powder, the agglomeration tendency caused by the high specific surface area and surface energy of nano-sized powder can be avoided, improving the uniformity of the introduced nano-sized powder, enhancing the powder flowability of composite particle powder 50, and improving the stability and reliability of the introduction process, thereby effectively improving the strengthening effect on the strength and plasticity of the deposited layer.

[0037] Therefore, the laser deposition apparatus 1 for improving the performance of the deposited layer by simultaneously feeding silk and powder according to the embodiments of the present invention has the advantages of short production cycle, low cost, good flexibility, good strength and plasticity of the deposited layer, and high reliability.

[0038] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, describes a silk-powder co-feed laser deposition apparatus 1 for improving the performance of the deposited layer according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, such as Figures 1-3 As shown, the laser deposition apparatus 1 for improving the performance of the deposited layer by simultaneously feeding wire and powder according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a support 10, a wire feeding device 20, a laser device 30, and a powder feeding device 40.

[0040] Specifically, the micron-sized powder is made of the same material as the filament, while the nano-sized powder is hard ceramic particles. This allows the micron-sized powder to participate in the melting and deposition process of the filament 5, depositing together with the molten filament 5, while the nano-sized powder does not participate in the melting but participates in the solidification process of the filament 5 in a solid state, forming a deposition layer containing nano-sized powder and improving the performance of the deposition layer. In other words, the micron-sized powder does not contribute to the strengthening of the deposition layer; it merely serves as a carrier for the nano-sized powder. There is no need to replace the filament 5 material, which facilitates improved process stability and the overall design and manufacturing of the deposition layer.

[0041] Optionally, the nanoscale powder is coated onto the micron-scale powder by ball milling or mechanical mixing. This facilitates the adhesion of the nanoscale powder to the outer surface of the micron-scale powder.

[0042] Specifically, after the nano-sized powder is attached to the outer surface of the micron-sized powder, the composite particle powder 50 is further processed by a vacuum drying process to optimize the performance of the composite particle powder 50.

[0043] More specifically, the laser deposition apparatus 1 for improving the performance of the deposited layer also includes a powder container and a stirring device. The composite particle powder is stored in the powder container, which is connected to the powder feeding device 40. The stirring device is adapted to stir the composite particle powder in the powder container. Specifically, the prepared composite particle powder 50 can be loaded into the powder container, and the composite particle powder 50 in the powder container can be stirred before the deposition begins to improve the uniformity of the composite particle powder 50. This not only facilitates the storage of the composite particle powder 50, but also allows for the stirring of the stored composite particle powder 50 to improve its uniformity.

[0044] Specifically, the powder container may be equipped with a turntable, and the conveying rate of the composite particle powder 50 can be adjusted by the rotation speed of the turntable.

[0045] By changing the powder in the powder container, different types of hard particles can be conveyed without changing the filament, thus improving the overall process efficiency and flexibility.

[0046] Advantageously, the powder feeding device 40 conveys the composite particulate powder 50 via an inert gas. Argon is preferred as the inert gas. This facilitates the conveying of the composite particulate powder 50 and allows the conveyed gas to influence the deposition process.

[0047] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A silk-powder co-feed laser deposition apparatus 1 for improving the performance of deposited layers according to some examples of the present invention is shown. For example... Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the laser device 30 is a ring laser device, and the outlet of the wire feeding device 20 is located radially inside the laser device 30 and is coaxially arranged with the laser device 30. This facilitates coaxial wire feeding and makes it easier to control the melting and deposition process of the wire 5.

[0048] Specifically, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the powder feeding device 40 is located radially outside the laser device 30. This allows for off-axis powder feeding, avoiding interference between the powder feeding and wire feeding processes.

[0049] Specifically, the powder feeding device 40 is connected to a copper pipe, through which the powder feeding device 40 conveys composite particle powder 50 to the molten pool 4. The copper pipe is located radially outside the laser 2 to avoid mutual interference between the powder feeding and wire feeding processes.

[0050] Advantageously, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the laser deposition apparatus 1 for simultaneously delivering wire and powder to improve the performance of the deposited layer also includes a protective gas pipe 60, which is adapted to deliver protective gas to the molten pool 4. This prevents oxidation of the wire material 5 and the composite particle powder 50, thereby improving the reliability of the deposition process.

[0051] More advantageously, such as Figure 1 As shown, the laser deposition apparatus 1 for improving the performance of the deposited layer also includes an air knife 70, which is suitable for purging the laser device 30. Specifically, the air knife 70 disperses the splashes and dust during the deposition process by outputting a high-pressure, high-speed nitrogen gas flow, preventing contamination of the focusing lens of the laser device 30 and ensuring the stability and reliability of the laser device 30.

[0052] The following describes a method for improving the performance of a deposited layer using a co-feeding laser deposition apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method includes the following steps: The composite particle powder is conveyed through the powder feeding device; Turn on the laser device; The filament is fed through the filament feeding device and deposited. After deposition is complete, stop the wire feeding device; Turn off the laser device; Stop the powder feeding device.

[0053] The silk-powder co-feed laser deposition method for improving the performance of the deposited layer according to the embodiments of the present invention, by utilizing the silk-powder co-feed laser deposition apparatus 1 for improving the performance of the deposited layer according to the above embodiments of the present invention, has the advantages of short production cycle, low cost, good flexibility, good strength and plasticity of the deposited layer, and high reliability.

[0054] Specifically, a suitable micron-sized powder material is selected based on the type of filament 5. Hard ceramic particles and micron-sized powder are coated in a specific ratio to prepare composite particle powder 50. The powder properties are then further optimized through vacuum drying, and finally, it is packed into a powder container. The stirring device is activated before the deposition process begins.

[0055] During the deposition process, the powder feeding device 40 is started, the air knife 70 is activated, the laser device 30 is turned on, protective gas is supplied through the protective gas pipe 60, the wire feeding device 20 is started, and the robotic arm moves the support along a predetermined path for deposition. The content of the conveyed composite particle powder 50 is adjusted by changing the turntable speed. After deposition is completed, the wire feeding device 20 is stopped, the laser device 30 is turned off, the powder feeding device 40 is terminated, and finally the air knife 70 is turned off.

[0056] Other configurations and operations of the silk-powder co-deposition laser deposition apparatus 1 and method for improving the performance of the deposited layer according to embodiments of the present invention are known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0057] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0058] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A laser deposition apparatus for simultaneously feeding silk and powder to improve the performance of deposited layers, characterized in that, include: support; A wire feeding device, which is mounted on the support and is adapted to feed wire to the substrate; A laser device, which is mounted on the support and adapted to emit a laser to melt the filament to form a molten pool on the substrate; A powder feeding device is mounted on the support and is adapted to feed composite particle powder to the molten pool. The composite particle powder includes micron-sized powder and nano-sized powder, with the nano-sized powder adhering to the outer surface of the micron-sized powder.

2. The laser deposition apparatus for simultaneously feeding silk and powder as described in claim 1 for improving the performance of the deposited layer, characterized in that, The micron-sized powder is made of the same material as the filament, and the nano-sized powder is hard ceramic particles.

3. The laser deposition apparatus for simultaneously feeding silk and powder as described in claim 1 for improving the performance of the deposited layer, characterized in that, The nanoscale powder is coated onto the micron-scale powder by ball milling or mechanical mixing.

4. The laser deposition apparatus for simultaneously feeding silk and powder as described in claim 1 for improving the performance of the deposited layer, characterized in that, Also includes: A powder container, in which the composite granular powder is stored, and the powder container is connected to the powder feeding device; A stirring device, which is adapted to stir the composite granular powder in the powder container.

5. The laser deposition apparatus for simultaneously feeding silk and powder as described in claim 1 for improving the performance of the deposited layer, characterized in that, The powder feeding device conveys the composite particle powder using an inert gas.

6. The laser deposition apparatus for simultaneously feeding silk and powder as described in claim 1 for improving the performance of the deposited layer, characterized in that, The laser device is a ring laser device, and the outlet of the wire feeding device is located on the radial inner side of the laser device and is coaxially arranged with the laser device.

7. The laser deposition apparatus for simultaneously feeding silk and powder as described in claim 6 for improving the performance of the deposited layer, characterized in that, The powder feeding device is located radially outside the laser device.

8. The laser deposition apparatus for simultaneously feeding silk and powder as described in claim 1 for improving the performance of the deposited layer, characterized in that, It also includes a protective gas pipe adapted to supply protective gas to the molten pool.

9. The laser deposition apparatus for simultaneously feeding silk and powder as described in claim 1 for improving the performance of the deposited layer, characterized in that, It also includes an air knife, which is adapted to purge the laser device.

10. A method for laser deposition of wire and powder simultaneously for improving the performance of deposited layers, characterized in that, The method of using a laser deposition apparatus for improving the performance of a deposited layer, according to any one of claims 1-9, includes the following steps: The composite particle powder is conveyed through the powder feeding device; Turn on the laser device; The filament is fed through the filament feeding device and deposited. After deposition is complete, stop the wire feeding device; Turn off the laser device; Stop the powder feeding device.

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