System for Laser Material Processing with High Flexibility

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A high flexible laser material processing system enables new research opportunities in the field of metal processing and alloy development. The drawback of powder bed systems can be overcome with such a highly flexible system. A vertical layer-by-layer buildup of a part can be achieved even if the local surface normal is not vertical. The handling system combines a modern robot handling the laser optic combined with a tilt-rotating system, manipulating the to-built sample. Thereby a vertical building direction is possible independent of the local surface normal direction. This allows new concepts in designing a part. Additionally supporting structures might not be necessary anymore, allowing a wide variety of sample geometries.In comparison to powder bed systems, which need to distribute the powder layer-by-layer with comparatively small building rates, the proposed system uses a powder feeder with a co-axial nozzle. For even higher building rates a wire feeder can be used as well.The herewith-proposed high flexible laser material processing system will be a very important and up-to-date tool for the group of Metals and Alloys of the University Bayreuth. The opening of many new possibilities will enable and strengthen the metals and alloys research tremendously.