Development of a steel rapid prototyping system based on TIG welding deposition technology

This study presents a rapid prototyping (RP) system based on the tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding deposition technology. This system includes a TIG welding torch and a wire feeder for welding build-up, a numerical controlled milling equipment for controlling the movement of the welding torch and enhancing the precision of the deposition part, an industrial computer for sampling data and overall control. The important information of rapid prototyping manufacture (RPM) 3D steel part process was described in detail, including the welding method selection, motion path of the torch, welding parameters, droplet forming and transfer, welding seam formation, surface control and weld path space. Steel 3D RP experiments were then carried out with this system and some typical 3D steel components were acquired.