The state-of-the-art of wire arc directed energy deposition (WA-DED) as an additive manufacturing process for large metallic component manufacture

Wire Arc Directed Energy Deposition (WA-DED) also known as Additive Manufacture (WAAM) is a niche additive manufacturing technique for metals that increasingly offering competitive advantage to traditional forging and casting methods. Characteristics of WA-DED are high deposition rates feedstock inexpensive compared powder processes, making it highly efficient manufacture large components. This paper reviews component by assessing aspects the process scalability. processes in terms their production characteristics showing relative suitability each power source. Additional in-situ have been identified can alleviate defects improve mechanical performance. Investigation planning has revealed potential material savings be achieved preventing accumulation errors throughout manufacture. The major finding additional combined with closed loop feed forward control system significantly performance, geometric repeatability resolution. Additionally, was found although degree isotropy performance commonly investigated, research into heterogeneity limited, does not assess tensile properties at different locations within deposited material.