LENS technology links bridges between 3D printing and traditional manufacturing

What you bring today is LENS (laser near net shape) technology. Since the advent of this technology, it has been favored by the industry because of its ability to achieve gradient materials, complex surface repair and other functions. With these advantages, LENS technology is constantly playing a role in the repair of large-scale devices, and it has become a bridge linking traditional manufacturing and 3D printing .

LENS technical principle

Near-net forming technology refers to the forming technology of mechanical components after the parts are formed, requiring only a small amount of processing or no further processing. Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LSS) deposits three-dimensional objects layer by layer by laser to create a molten pool in the deposition area and continuously melt the powder or filament material. The LENS technology was developed by the Sandia National Laboratory in the United States in the 1990s, and then the US company Optomec commercialized and promoted LENS technology.

Because the LENS technology is independently researched by many universities and institutions, the name of this technology is numerous. LENS technology is also called Laser Metal Deposition (LDD). The University of Michigan is called Direct Metal Deposition (DMD). The University of Birmingham is called Directed Laser Fabrication (DLF). Professor Huang Weidong of the university called it Laser Rapid Forming (LRF). The technology is harmonized as part of the Directed Energy Depositioin (DED) technology in the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. The picture shows that LENS technology is repairing the surface of the object.

LENS technology is repairing the surface of objects

In the LENS technology process, the computer first slices the 3D CAD model according to a certain thickness, and the 2D plane data of each layer is converted into the motion track of the printing machine numerical control table. The high-energy laser beam generates a molten pool on the bottom plate, and simultaneously feeds the metal powder into the molten pool and rapidly melts and solidifies, so that it is solidified from point to line and from line to surface, thereby completing a layer cross-section printing work. . This layer is superimposed to create a near-net shape component entity.

LENS technology is mainly used to print relatively mature commercial metal alloy powder materials, including stainless steel, titanium alloys, nickel-based alloys and so on.

LENS printing process

LENS advantages and technical limitations

LENS technology enables moldless manufacturing of metal parts, saving costs and shortening production cycles. At the same time, the technology solves a series of problems in the traditional manufacturing process of complex curved parts, such as difficulty in cutting, large material removal, and serious tool wear. LENS technology is a direct metal forming method that does not require post-treatment. The formed parts are densely organized, have high mechanical properties, and can be used to manufacture parts of heterogeneous and gradient materials.

LENS technology has also encountered some bottlenecks, including low utilization of powder materials, high thermal stress during forming, easy cracking of formed parts, and low precision of the formed parts, which may affect the quality and mechanical properties of the parts. Due to factors such as the size of the laser spot and the accuracy of the table movement, the dimensional accuracy and surface roughness of the directly manufactured functional parts are poor, and subsequent machining is often required to meet the requirements of use.

LENS application

LENS technology is mainly used in aerospace, automotive, marine and other fields, for the manufacture or repair of impeller blades for aero engines and heavy-duty gas turbines, as well as lightweight automotive parts. LENS technology enables the repair and remanufacturing of worn or damaged blades, which greatly reduces blade manufacturing costs and increases production efficiency.

Manufacturing engine blades using LENS technology

Repair damaged parts with LENS technology

Germany's OR Laser uses LENS technology to create a hard alloy cladding on the sensor surface, providing reliable protection for sensor components in the oil and gas industry, significantly extending sensor life. This method enables accurate deposition of materials, low thermal penetration, and ultimately a sensor with a non-distorting, crack-free coating as shown.

Hard alloy cladding on the sensor surface (Source: 3D Science Valley)

Room Divider

A room divider is a screen or piece of furniture placed in a way that divides a room into separate areas.

Room dividers are used by interior designers and architects as means to divide space into separate distinct areas.

A room divider for a conference hall.
There are a number of different types of room dividers such as cubicle partitions, pipe and drape screens, shoji screens, and walls. Room dividers can be made from many materials, including wood, fabric, plexiglass, framed cotton canvas, pleated fabric or mirrors. Plants, shelves or railings might also be used as dividers. Portable room dividers have folded wall panels supported on wheels.

Types

In general, room dividers are used in one of these ways:

To divide rooms, creating a more efficient use of the space within the room.
As decorators and/or accent pieces to add character to room space.
To hide areas of different usage or privacy protection
To decorate rooms for better home design effect
Room dividers differ in nature being either:

Permanent as in using wine shelves in restaurants
Built in as in sliding partitions in offices
Portable or temporary as for example in convention centers
Fixed room dividers and hanging room dividers
They may completely obscure as in floor to ceiling dividers, or may allow sight through as for example when plant pots are used to divide areas.

Room Divider Screen,Room Screen,Room Divider Panel,Floding Room Divider,Movable Room Divider,Wooden Room Divider

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