Real-time laser cladding control with variable spot size

J. L. Arias; M. A. Montealegre; F. Vidal; J. Rodríguez; S. Mann; P. Abels; F. Motmans

doi:10.1117/12.2040058

6 March 2014 Real-time laser cladding control with variable spot size

J. L. Arias, M. A. Montealegre, F. Vidal, J. Rodríguez, S. Mann, P. Abels, F. Motmans

Proceedings Volume 8970, Laser 3D Manufacturing; 89700Q (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2040058
Event: SPIE LASE, 2014, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Laser cladding processing has been used in different industries to improve the surface properties or to reconstruct damaged pieces. In order to cover areas considerably larger than the diameter of the laser beam, successive partially overlapping tracks are deposited. With no control over the process variables this conduces to an increase of the temperature, which could decrease mechanical properties of the laser cladded material. Commonly, the process is monitored and controlled by a PC using cameras, but this control suffers from a lack of speed caused by the image processing step. The aim of this work is to design and develop a FPGA-based laser cladding control system. This system is intended to modify the laser beam power according to the melt pool width, which is measured using a CMOS camera. All the control and monitoring tasks are carried out by a FPGA, taking advantage of its abundance of resources and speed of operation. The robustness of the image processing algorithm is assessed, as well as the control system performance. Laser power is decreased as substrate temperature increases, thus maintaining a constant clad width. This FPGA-based control system is integrated in an adaptive laser cladding system, which also includes an adaptive optical system that will control the laser focus distance on the fly. The whole system will constitute an efficient instrument for part repair with complex geometries and coating selective surfaces. This will be a significant step forward into the total industrial implementation of an automated industrial laser cladding process.

Citation Download Citation

J. L. Arias, M. A. Montealegre, F. Vidal, J. Rodríguez, S. Mann, P. Abels, and F. Motmans "Real-time laser cladding control with variable spot size", Proc. SPIE 8970, Laser 3D Manufacturing, 89700Q (6 March 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2040058

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available