Omnidirectional Laser Metal Deposition with Wire (LMD-w) for 2m and Larger Aerostructures

In 2022 GKN Aerospace show cased its laser metal deposition with wire (LMD-w) technology by producing an 8 foot long 1.5 feet wide titanium aerostructure demonstrator with Northrop Grumman. The process is omnidirectional with adaptive closed loop controls accomodating a wide variety of features without redeveloping parameters. GKN is progressing through manufacturing qualification framework for production with the LMDw process. From raw material through turnkey flyaway hardware, GKN is presenting on a 4Q qualification model, IMQ - IQ - OQ - PQ. This 4Q model addresses the challenges of relating the AM process, Allowables, production readiness, and part specific requirements.