3D Printing
News Videos Newsletter Contact us
Home / 3D Printing Metal / New DED Machine Gets Computer Vision for Additive Repair
qidi

New DED Machine Gets Computer Vision for Additive Repair

November 30, 2020

Directed Energy Deposition (also known as Blown Powder Directed Energy Deposition) is not only good for manufacturing new parts from scratch, but it is also great for Additive Repair.

Additive Repair can be used for repairing broken metal components which may be too expensive to fabricate from scratch, so it’s more economical to simply repair it.

The broken part is loaded into the machine and the nozzle directs the blown powder through its laser, depositing the melt pool onto the broken part and restoring the geometry. It’s much like welding new geometry onto a part, layerwise.

Optomec have released a new production grade printer named the HC-TBR, which has some sweet new features including automated transfer of parts in/out of the inert gas filled chamber, and a vision system that scans the defective part and designs its own repairing toolpath.

The HC-TBR was officially launched at Formnext Connect along with a research level machine designated as the CS250.

HC-TBR
Optomec HC-TBR. (Image credit: Optomec)

The vision system is driven by Optomec’s proprietary AutoCLAD software which images the part and then automatically adapts and modifies the toolpath and printer parameters for each individual part based on variations in orientation, dimension, and shape. The software can respond dynamically and change the laser spot size (and the meltpool) therefore producing a smaller overbuild and reducing the amount of machining needed afterwards.

The AutoCLAD software was initially designed by Huffman, which has since been absorbed into the Optomec company.

AutoCLAD has been used extensively for the repair of high value parts particularly in the aerospace sector. Turbine blades seem to be a popular item for repair which is understandable given how they are manufactured (many blades are actually “grown” from a single metal seed, producing a monocrystal structure before being sent for machining). It’s not a cheap process.

For example the cost of a LPC blade from a Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine costs as much as a Ferrari F430, so naturally a repair strategy is preferred for similar items.

You can see Optomec LENS in action below, doing its repair magic on a turbine blade.

Previously the AutoCLAD system was available as an optional extra (and it still is) to be retrofitted on Optomec LENS systems that use the Siemens 840D controller, but now with the HC-TBR machine it is available as standard.

The industrial grade HC-TBR features a build area of 250 x 250 x 250 mm and will set you back around 400k USD. If you are curious about the ROI that investment will get you (especially on turbine blades) you can read the Optomec whitepaper.

Download Whitepaper
Share:
WhatsApp Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Buffer Reddit E-mail
About the author | Phillip Keane
Phillip is an aerospace engineer from UK. He is a graduate of Coventry University (UK), International Space University (France) and Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), where he studied Advanced Manufacturing at the Singapore Centre for 3D Printing.
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Latest posts

Fraunhofer, MacLean-Fogg, and Toyota Develop Large-Scale 3D Printing System for Automotive Die Casting Molds

The Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT has partnered with powder manufacturer MacLean-Fogg and Toyota to develop a 3D printing solution for manufacturing... read more »

3D Printing Metal
Fraunhofer, MacLean-Fogg, and Toyota Develop Large-Scale 3D Printing System for Automotive Die Casting Molds

ASTM International Approves New Standard to Streamline AM Processes

ASTM International's additive manufacturing technologies committee (F42) has approved a new standard designed to help businesses navigate the procurement and delivery of 3D... read more »

News
ASTM International Approves New Standard to Streamline AM Processes

Trek Launches 3D Printed AirLoom Saddle Line

Trek has introduced its first 3D-printed saddle series, the Aeolus AirLoom, featuring what the company calls AirLoom lattice technology. The new design updates... read more »

News
Trek Launches 3D Printed AirLoom Saddle Line

QuesTek Partners with Niobium Producer to Develop High-Temperature 3D Printing Alloy

QuesTek Innovations has partnered with a global niobium producer to develop a high-temperature alloy designed for additive manufacturing. The project targets aerospace and... read more »

3D Printing Metal
QuesTek Partners with Niobium Producer to Develop High-Temperature 3D Printing Alloy

Autodesk Research and Additive Tectonics Develop 3D Printed Floor System with Alternative Materials

Autodesk Research has partnered with Additive Tectonics to develop a new approach to concrete floor construction using 3D printing technology. The collaboration combines... read more »

Construction

NREL Acquires Large-Scale Metal 3D Printer to Advance Marine Energy Research

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has installed a new laser-powered metal 3D printer at its Flatirons Campus to support marine energy device... read more »

3D Printing Metal
NREL Acquires Large-Scale Metal 3D Printer to Advance Marine Energy Research

Apple Adopts 3D Printing for Titanium USB-C Ports in New iPhone Air

Apple’s latest smartphone release marks a quiet but notable step in consumer electronics manufacturing: the company has confirmed that its new iPhone Air... read more »

3D Printing Metal
Apple Iphone 17 air

GKN Aerospace Expands Connecticut Facility for 3D Printed Engine Components

GKN Aerospace announced the expansion of its Newington, Connecticut facility to include a new production line for additively manufactured Fan Case Mount Ring... read more »

Aerospace
GKN Aerospace Expands Connecticut Facility for 3D Printed Engine Components

UltiMaker Launches Secure 3D Printing Line for Defense Applications

UltiMaker has introduced its Secure Line of 3D printing products specifically designed for defense and high-security environments. The initial lineup includes the UltiMaker... read more »

News
UltiMaker Launches Secure 3D Printing Line for Defense Applications

Digital Manufacturing Centre Delivers 90kg 3D Printed Military Vehicle Component

The Digital Manufacturing Centre (DMC) has completed production of its largest additive manufacturing metal component to date - a 90kg suspension and differential... read more »

3D Printing Metal
Digital Manufacturing Centre Delivers 90kg 3D Printed Military Vehicle Component

Social

  • Facebook Facebook 3D Printing
  • Linkedin Linkedin 3D Printing
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Fashion
  • Medical
  • Military
  • QIDI Tech Q1 Pro

    • - Print size: 245 x 245 x 245 mm
    • - 600mm/s max speed
    More details »
    $449.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • Snapmaker Artisan Premium 3-in-1

    • - Print size: 400 x 400 x 400 mm
    • - comes with enclosure
    More details »
    $2,999.00 Snapmaker
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Tech X-Max 3

    • - Print size: 325 x 325 x 315 mm
    • - fully enclosed
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Plus4

    • - Print size: 305 x 305 x 280 mm
    • - print temperature of 370°C
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now

Company Information

  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing

Blog

  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal

Featured Reviews

  • Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
  • Creality Ender 5 S1
  • The Mole 3D Scanner
  • Flashforge Creator 3 Pro

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
2025 — Strikwerda en Dehue
  • Home
  • Join our mailing list
  • Contact us
Blog
  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal
Featured Industries
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
Company Information
  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing