Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing with Titanium for large Parts

WAAMTOP enables and optimises the deposition of metal on large industrial components. Based on the wire arc technology, titanium is deposited on parts like propellers of marine ships. Robots are brought together with innovative processes to achieve material build up rates that are economically viable and to produce final material properties. The overall solution ensures full functionality of the part.

From challenges so solutions

WAAMTOP enables the optimisation of metal wire deposition on large industrial components. Based on the wire arc technology, titanium is deposited on parts like propellers of marine ships. Robots need to be brought together with innovative processes to achieve material build up rates that are economically viable and to produce final material properties that ensure full functionality of the part. The detailed challenges are:

  • Combine the deposition process with robot supported handling technology
  • Apply process control to ensure proper product quality
  • Develop a local protective environment such that the shielding gas enables the expected material properties

The overall challenge of WAAMTOP is to enable metal deposition in rough environments for large industrial parts.  

WAAMTOP will support numerous applications in the aeronautic and marine sector. These applications today use conventional manufacturing to cast the base material and mill it towards the final shape.

Production time: WAAMTOP will provide a solution for instand generation of products without time consuming milling from the full volume.

Efficiency: The final shape will be achieved with minimal milling which saves time and energy.

Cost: WAAMTOP will reduce manufacturing of titanium parts in on global step. It removes the necessity of milling full material volumes where advanced milling tools would be needed. It removes the necessity to cast the full volume of material as only the required geometry needs to be produced.

The right process parameters are the key solution which need to go in-line with NC programming for the deposition process.