抄録
Amid increases for low-volume production, additive manufacturing is being used to produce metal parts,
especially for aircraft and automobiles, because it eliminates the cost-bearing need for jigs and assemblies
and improves design freedom. When additive manufacturing is done with lasers, they can be used
to melt and deposit the material. The heat generated by the laser and from the just deposited material is
transferred to the deposition base. If a new molten material is deposited on this extra-hot base, solidification
might take time, during which the shape can collapse. To prevent such heat problems, Mitsubishi
Electric ensured adequate cooling time by combining unique laser and CNC (computerized numerical
control) technologies: a pulsed laser and minimized heat input. Shape accuracy is 70% more precise
with new dot-forming technology that synchronously controls the supply of wires and shield gas as well
as the position and moving speed of the laser irradiation point. Since high temperatures are limited to a
point-like narrow area, the antioxidant action of the shield gas spreads over the entire high-heat area to
suppress oxidation.
