Restoration of Die Equipment by Laser Cladding Using Robotic Complex FL-CLAD–R-4

Currently restoration and strengthening of a component working surface for structural purposes (objects of stamping equipment, highly loaded assemblies of cars and units, and components operating in corrosive media) is conducted mainly by means of welding operations that do not provide a functional coating and as a result do not provide the life required for a restored or strengthened object. This work concerns a study of laser cladding for restoration of working surface for stamping equipment. Work on laser cladding is conducted on the basis of DMD (Direct Metal Deposition) technology performed in a FL-Clad–R-4 robotic unit that includes a KUKA KR-120 robot. Cobalt-based material is used to create a coating and the substrate (stamp) material is AISI L6 steel. This provides solution for the production problem with selection of regimes for a coating with the required physical and mechanical properties for stamp surface hardening, as well as specific compositions of powder materials used to develop technology for object mass production. Attention is drawn to the fact that alloy used for powder production must have the required physical and mechanical properties and during cladding (after cooling) a coating must not experience thermal stresses and also has the required adhesion.