https://cdn.specpick.com/images/photonics/spilw_wall.png712370
SPI Lasers has announced partnership with UK based research institute Cranfield University for the NEWAM (New Wire Additive Manufacturing) project. The project builds on and exploits the UK's substantial lead in wire-based directed energy deposition (DED) technology, with a vision to transform large-area metal additive manufacture, by pioneering new high build-rate wire based processes with greater precision of shape and microstructure.
To date, most of the work in wire based directed energy deposition has been carried out at Cranfield University (one of four universities - Cranfield, University of Manchester, Strathclyde, and Coventry) that have joined forces to deliver this ambitious research program over a five year period) who’s research over the last 10 years has proven the capability to make large titanium parts in a timely manner (weeks instead of months) and with much reduced cost (up to 70% cheaper than machining from solid), resulting in a tremendous industry pull.
SPI Lasers are supporting Cranfield University in this project with their first placement of a 10kW QUBE CW Fiber Laser. The flexibility of the laser for use in the project is enhanced through the use of an integrated 4-way beam switch unit and by having beam delivery fibers of 150µm, 200µm and 400µm core diameter. To further enhance the capability of the laser processing cell at Cranfield University, two further QUBE Cabinet lasers, each of 6kW output power and with 100µm delivery fibres were also part of this project. According to Professor Stewart Williams, the Principle Investigator on the NEWAM Program Grant, NEWAM is fundamentally based around high power fibre lasers and thus the involvement of SPI Lasers is a very important contribution towards the success of the research program.
SPI Lasers will also be a part of the upcoming Laser World of Photonics 2019 event being held in Munich from June 24-27. Visitors can view all of SPI’s products on display at their Booth Hall A3.310 at the International Congress Centre.
Click here to view GoPhotonics’ coverage of the event.