Topic：Large Scale Additive Manufacture of Engineering Metallic Structures

Speaker：Prof. Stewart Williams

Date：July 3, at 16:00

Venue：A849, New Main Building

Brief Intro of the Speaker：

Prof. Stewart Williams is currently the Director of the Welding Engineering and Laser Processing Centre (WELPC) and hold a Chair in Welding Science and Engineering at Cranfield University. His main research activities are focused on additive manufacture and laser processing.

Abstract:

In additive manufacture the target is production of large scale high integrity near shape engineering components based on wire + arc welding (WAAM) with large cost and lead time savings. A rolling technology maturation programme, with more than 20 industrial companies ranging from large OEMs to SMEs, is aimed at providing an industrial solution based on commercial systems.

Additive manufacture of meter scale engineering structural parts is currently of great interest to industry in many sectors including aerospace, defence, energy and construction. The only realistic processes for these applications are those based on wire feed technologies and the status of these will be briefly reviewed in this presentation. Wire + Arc Additive Manufacture (WAAM) shows the highest level of business benefit and examples of systems, capabilities and associated material properties will be given. Developments required for WAAM to allow industrial application including the approach towards commercialisation will be discussed. Future technology developments will be outlined.