American Cladding Technologies (ACT) has made significant advances in hardfacing internal diameters with the help of their TRUMPF TruPrint3000 3D metal printer. Until now, ACT has had to rely on the nozzle designs of the OEM’s. President of American Cladding Technologies, Jeff Whittaker states, “We are now able to design and 3D print our own laser cladding nozzles with features that simply weren’t possible with conventional machining.”
This new design allows for:
- Better shielding gas coverage (lower oxygen in the weld pool means improved metallurgy)
- Increased powder efficiency (reduces cost to the customer)
- Stabilized laser spot size and spot geometry
- Improved cooling in high heat applications from tiny cooling channels throughout the nozzle
With their new nozzles ACT has successfully deposited 65% Tungsten Carbide (by weight) at a thickness of 0.070” (1.78mm) – crack free (see Figure 1). These advances are ideal for adding service life to oil and gas equipment, pumps, sleeves and extruder components.
