Laser Deposition Technology

Laser Deposition Technology (LDT) is a process in which metal powder is injected into the focused beam of a high-power laser under tightly controlled atmospheric conditions. The resulting deposits may then be used to build or repair metal parts for a variety of different applications.

Laser Deposition Technology (LDT) is a blanket name that encompasses many “like” processes—direct metal deposition (DMD), laser metal deposition, laser additive manufacturing (LAM), Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS®), and others—that use a focused laser beam as the heat source for depositing powdered metals.

Laser Deposition Technology is derived from LENS® technology. LENS® was developed as a team effort between Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, N.Mex., and Pratt & Whitney. Follow-up development work was sponsored by a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA). LENS® is a registered trademark of Sandia National Laboratories. In 1997, the LENS® technology was licensed to Optomec, Inc., Albuquerque, N.Mex.

The key benefits of this process over traditional repair techniques are: 1) metallurgical bond versus a mechanical bond, 2) relatively low heat input, 3) minimal stress and distortion created by deposits, and 4) rapid cooling rates.

Sample applications include shaft repair, aerospace parts, bearing housings, compressor seals, and custom free form manufactured parts.

Laser repairs can be made with, but are not limited to, the following alloys: nickel, cobalt, Iconel®, titanium, stainless steel (420, 316, 304), and hardfacing alloys.