Additive Manufacturing | Laser Metal Deposition (LMD)

The Laser Metal Deposition is an additive production process that uses a laser beam to form a pool of molten metal on a metallic substrate. The metal powder is brought into that melt pool continuously via a nozzle.  The sensor for temperature measurement must withstand the high energy density of the laser or its reflections.

Mostly a solid laser working at 1064nm or sometimes a CO2-Laser (10.6 µm ) is used. The heat distribution behind the beam is an indication of a good or bad welding quality. For that reason imagers like the PI 08M give the most information of the process compared to a single point pyrometer where one spot temperature is given only.