The "Dynamic Material Deposition (DMD)" process developed by Ponticon can deposit metallic materials onto metallic or ceramic components. In contrast to traditional laser build-up welding, the metallic powder is already melted in a laser beam before it hits the surface of the substrate layer by layer.
Ponticon is presenting its pE3D system for additive manufacturing and for coating and repairing complex-shaped metallic workpieces using the DMD process for the first time. According to Ponticon, it offers high process speed and accuracy as well as great flexibility in the selection of alloy components.
At Formnext, Ponticon will show the pE3D system in a five-axis version, whose high-speed parallel kinematics are equipped with an additional rotary-swivel unit for machining workpieces with complex geometries. In the standard configuration, the machine processes components weighing up to 500 kilograms.
For the targeted repair of components on which metal has broken off or is worn over a wide area, sensors first detect the actual geometry. With this data, the CAM software plans the path for the repair process, in which the nozzle and workpiece are precisely aligned with each other. Then the new material is applied. According to Ponticon, the heat input is minimal and the material properties of the component remain unchanged.
"Our pE3D machines have passed their acid test at several renowned research institutions. The first machines for applications in industry will go into operation in 2023," says Tobias Stittgen, managing director of Ponticon GmbH.
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