Optimized Robotic WAAM

Abstract

This chapter summarizes a PhD thesis introducing a methodology for optimizing robotic MIG (metal inert gas) to perform WAAM (wire and arc additive manufacturing) without using machines equipped with CMT (cold metal transfer) technology. It tries to find the optimal MIG parameters to make WAAM using a welding robot feasible production technique capable of making functional products with proper mechanical properties. Some experiments were performed first to collect data. Then NN (neural network) models were created to simulate the MIG process. Then different optimization techniques were used to find the optimal parameters to be used for deposition. These results were practically tested, and the best one was selected to be used in the third stage. In the third stage, a block of metal was deposited. Then samples were cut from deposited blocks in two directions and tested for tension stress. These samples were successful. They showed behavior close to base alloy.