Energy Consumption and Saving Analysis for Laser Engineered Net Shaping of Metal Powders

Zhichao Liu, Fuda Ning, Weilong Cong, Qiuhong Jiang, Tao Li, Hongchao Zhang and Yingge Zhou
Additional contact information
Zhichao Liu: School of Mechanical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116023, China
Fuda Ning: Department of Industrial, Manufacturing and System Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
Weilong Cong: Department of Industrial, Manufacturing and System Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
Qiuhong Jiang: School of Mechanical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116023, China
Tao Li: School of Mechanical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116023, China
Hongchao Zhang: School of Mechanical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116023, China
Yingge Zhou: Department of Industrial, Manufacturing and System Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA

Energies, 2016, vol. 9, issue 10, 1-12

Abstract: With the increasing awareness of environmental protection and sustainable manufacturing, the environmental impact of laser additive manufacturing (LAM) technology has been attracting more and more attention. Aiming to quantitatively analyze the energy consumption and extract possible ways to save energy during the LAM process, this investigation studies the effects of input variables including laser power, scanning speed, and powder feed rate on the overall energy consumption during the laser deposition processes. Considering microhardness as a standard quality, the energy consumption of unit deposition volume (ECUDV, in J/mm 3 ) is proposed as a measure for the average applied energy of the fabricated metal part. The potential energy-saving benefits of the ultrasonic vibration–assisted laser engineering net shaping (LENS) process are also examined in this paper. The experimental results suggest that the theoretical and actual values of the energy consumption present different trends along with the same input variables. It is possible to reduce the energy consumption and, at the same time, maintain a good part quality and the optimal combination of the parameters referring to Inconel 718 as a material is laser power of 300 W, scanning speed of 8.47 mm/s and powder feed rate of 4 rpm. When the geometry shaping and microhardness are selected as evaluating criterions, American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) 4140 powder will cause the largest energy consumption per unit volume. The ultrasonic vibration–assisted LENS process cannot only improve the clad quality, but can also decrease the energy consumption to a considerable extent.

Keywords: energy consumption; laser engineered net shaping; ultrasonic vibration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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