Closed loop direct metal deposition: art to part

The direct metal deposition (DMD) process is drawing considerable contempor ary interest due to its capability to deliver "Art to Part". DMD can reduce the lead time For a concept to product by eliminating several intermediate steps. The most attractive feature of the process is that not only can it produce functional parts but it can also be interfaced with the homogenizat ion design method, heterogeneous solid model and computer aided design soft ware to produce "Designed Material" with desired properties generally not o bserved in nature. Closed loop DMD is a synthesis of multiple technologies including lasers, sensors, computer numerical controlled work handling stag e, CAD/CAM software and cladding metallurgy. This paper describes the metho dology used to produce a designed macro- and microstructure and reviews the state of the art for closed loop DMD. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All r ights reserved.