For Laser Remanufacturing Two-axis Powder Feeding Head Design

In order to satisfy the requirement of Laser Rapid Manufacturing, a new 3D coaxial feeding head was designed. We control two stepping motors fixed on the 3D feeding head with the system which is made up of microprocessor units. The feeding head can rotate around axial Z and axial X or Y. With the help of Siemens NC system, which can overcome the limitations of feeding head's working space, we can make axle sleeve and so on. It can be used to repair irregular shape products in laser cladding, such as metallic sheath. Using 3D coaxial feeding head, large area laser refabrication was carried out in metallic sheath. It can repair obsolete and worn parts rapidly so that saves the cost and time for the companies. Laser refabrication adapted to the requirement of modern production. In laser refabrication, 3D coaxial feeding head is the most important and key part which affected on the quality of cladding. However, the design and research of 3D coaxial feeding head don't appear.According to basal theory of laser processing, analyzing of the laser energy condition of interaction between laser beam and the materials during laser cladding, the theoretical Prediction of laser beam energy absorption coefficient during heating, temperature rise model of laser cladding material powder, effects of latent heat on temperature field in laser cladding process were carried.In addition, a series of processing tests were carried out in using 3D coaxial feeding head. Large area laser refabrication was carried out in metallic sheath using 3D coaxial feeding head. The characteristic of full-direction and adjustable focus was inspected in test. According to test, it is shown that feeding head possessed the characteristic of full-direction and adjustable focus of powder stream so that adapt to different requirement. It offered forceful evidence for industrial application. The research can lay the foundation for further development of laser refabrication.Laser refabrication is a kind of advanced technology. This paper only carried on the elementary research about 3D coaxial feeding head. Many problems didn't be solved, including development of new feeding device and systems of detecting and controlling. They can combine 3D coaxial feeding head to carry through laser refabrication better. It can save the cost for companies and accelerate social development.