Evaluation of rapid prototyping with filler wire and CO2 or YAG laser

This article presents the ongoing work on rapid manufacturing at CLFA. The study started by applying the laser cladding and sintering technologies to build geometrical structure directly out of the CAD model or the part. In these two techniques, the laser (usually CO2) fuses a metallic powder flow. Another way to build structure is to extend the classical repairing technique of filler wire cladding. This article presents the results of rapid prototyping with filler wire. We present the general context of rapid manufacturing and the potential utility of filler wire.