Zero programming robotics in additive manufacturing repairs

Abstract

This document explains the implementation of an integral additive manufacturing system at the Canadian Centre for Welding and Joining (CCWJ). Highlighting its use to remanufacture high-value components with a streamlined workflow using an optical coordinate measuring machine and parametric programming. The resultant output robot code is embedded with control of dimensional accuracy, laser power, beam velocity, and powder feed rate. This approach centers its attention on the remanufacturing of parts and their inherent complex surface as well as the time-consuming task of programming the robot to construct tool paths for the cladding strategy. These issues are solved using a set of topologies implemented in software and hardware that deliver a system that integrates the control parameters and the tooltip toolpaths into a highly automated system offering versatility, scalability, and reproducibility. The results show the capacity of the system to directly repair worn-out parts from a 3D scanner and deliver short-time programming sequences with integrated process constraints, precision, and high dimensional accuracy.

Keywords

• Automation
• Laser cladding
• Optimisation
• Remanufacture
• Additive manufacturing
• Advance manufacturing