Wire-based direct metal deposition with Ti6Al4V

Wire-based additive manufacturing (WBAM) has been a promising alternative compared to the more established metal printing technologies such as powder bed fusion or laser powder deposition, especially in the large structure buildup, due to the benefits such as high deposition rate, low cost of material, and high material usage efficiency. Wire-based additive manufacturing can be categorized by heat sources: electron beam, laser, arc, etc. Here we will mainly study laser hot-wire direct metal deposition (LHW-DMD) to build a part used in the space industry. Also, Gas metal arc welding (GMAW) and hybrid laser GMAW (HLGMAW) will be explored. In comparison of the three different fabrication technologies, advantages and disadvantages will discussed.