Dimensional and material characteristics of direct deposited H13 tool steel by CO2 laser

Laser aided direct metal/material deposition process builds metal parts layer-by-layer directly from the computer aided design representation. Success of this technology in the die and tool industry depends on the parts quality to be achieved. To get designed geometric dimensions and material properties, delicate control of the process variables such as laser power, spot diameter, traverse speed, and powder mass flow rate is critical. With a closed loop optical height control system, the dimensional accuracy was achieved within designed tolerance. To establish the deposited material completeness, the effects of the process variables on macro- and microstructure and mechanical properties of H13 tool steel samples were investigated using a statistical technique, the design of experiments. The experimental data were analyzed to determine optimal process parameters and to verify dimensional and material characteristics of the part, and the results are summarized in the article.