LMD supplies powder from nozzles and performs laser melting and bonding to the parent material. This allows for various types of materials to be combined and layered, in addition to the possibility of 3-dimensional fabrication and cladding.
Parts can also be repaired and inspected throughout production, and an infinitely variable control of laser spot diameters (Ø0.4 to 8.5 mm) increase efficiency and resolution.
By implementing laser metal deposition (LMD) instead of laser metal fusion (LMF), Okuma's MU-8000V LASER EX offers these advantages:
Mid-process part inspection and material exchange
Coolant use in work envelope
Faster process than powder bed fusion
3-dimensional fabricating