Design, Development & Manufacturing of Multi Powder Hopper for Laser Cladding of Functionally Graded Materials

Abstract

Laser Cladding is the subsidiary of Laser Material Processing which comprises of deposition of melted material upon the substrate with the aid of a laser beam. Laser Cladding is the combination of various disciplines such as Robotics, CAD/CAM, Instrumentation, Sensors and Powder Metallurgy. Laser Cladding is performed through the deposition of powder onto the substrate. The powder is transferred through Powder injection, Wire Feeding and the Pre-Placed Powder methods. However, the Powder Injection Method is most efficient and effective among all due to its accuracy and controllability. Functionally Graded Materials are the materials having variable composition, porosity and microstructure across the volume and deposited length. FGMs are responsible for the development of variable graded components for complex operating conditions. Moreover, the contributions of FGMs in structure repair areas are well appreciated. This research aims to develop the novel multi powder injection feeder for the Laser Cladding process using Functionally Graded Materials. The powder feeder will transfer the FGM to the Laser nozzle for the deposition and experimentation. Moreover, the feeder will serve as the pioneer in the Laser Material Processing Operations using FGM’s in Pakistan.