Project title: Modelling of Mass Addition for Laser Direct Deposition
Other PhD projects in Mechanical Engineering
| PhD student: | Juansethi Ibarra-Medina |
| Qualification: | BSc, MSc |
| Country: | Mexico |
| Sponsor: | Mexican National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT) |
| Expert group: | |
| Research group: | Manufacturing and Management |
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| Email: | Juansethi.IbarraMedina@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk |
| Supervisor: | Dr. Andrew J. Pinkerton |
Research interests: I am currently studying a PhD in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Manchester, working in the field of laser material processing since 2009. My research deals with the modelling of the laser cladding process. I received an MSc (Eng) in Product Design from the University of Liverpool, UK. During this time, I acquired my interest for the fascinating processes of rapid manufacturing. I obtained my first degree in Industrial Engineering (distinction awarded) from the Instituto Tecnológico de Aguascalientes, Mexico. Before moving to the UK, I worked as a mould designer for Roi Castings S.A., an iron-castings company, and as a mechanical designer for Moto Diesel Mexicana S.A., an automotive company. Previously, I worked as production trainee at Texas Instruments (now Sensata Technologies S de RL).
Research interests: Laser deposition, Fluid dynamics of laser assisted processes, Machine design & improvement.
Project abstract
The laser direct deposition technique is used in many different ways for manufacturing and repairing metallic parts, by melting a flow of metallic powder onto a metal base. Different factors are involved in the process such as, characteristics of the deposition head, choice and setting of gases and laser energy intensity, among others. Industry requires a smooth, precise delivery and catchment of powder to form stable tracks of deposited material, but from a scientific point of view it is difficult to explain why the process produces very different results with some slightly changing processing conditions. My research involves the mathematical modelling work of the cladding process to link the final deposit characteristics to process parameters such as laser power, traverse speed and mass flow rate. Especially important is the understanding of how the powder stream interacts with the laser beam and the substrate base, as well as the processes explaining powder addition into the melt pool.
| Fig 1. The modelled flow of metallic powder being injected through four inlets and descending through a conical nozzle as a fully formed powder stream | Fig 2. Thermal picture of the laser cladding process, showing the powder stream falling into the melt pool while being heated by the laser beam. Some of the powder is incorporated to the melt pool and some bounces in different directions |  |
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| Fig 3. Heating of free falling powder stream, as seen from the tip of the deposition nozzle. Experimental (left) and modelled (right) |  |
Publications
Journal Papers
- Juansethi Ibarra-Medina, Andrew J. Pinkerton (2010). A numerical investigation of powder heating in coaxial laser metal deposition. 36 th International Matador Conference. Manchester, UK
- Juansethi Ibarra-Medina, Andrew J. Pinkerton (2010). A CFD model of the laser, coaxial powder stream and substrate interaction in laser cladding. 6 th International Conference on Laser Assisted Net Shape Engineering. Erlangen, Germany
- Juansethi Ibarra-Medina, Andrew J. Pinkerton (2010). The influence of powder stream shape and substrate position on mass addition in laser cladding. 24 th International Conference on Surface Modification Technologies. Dresden, Germany
- J. Ibarra-Medina, A.J. Pinkerton, and C.P. Paul (2009), Coaxial laser cladding gas flows and their effects. 23 rd International Conference on Surface Modification Technologies. Chennai, India.