Wire Feed Precision
Wire feed precision is the accurate and trouble-free feeding of the welding wire into the melt pool in the DED process. A constant feed speed prevents unwanted variations in the cross-section of the weld.
Physico-chemical mechanism of action
Wire feed precision directly affects the stability of the melting process. Irregular feed can lead to liquid waves in the melt pool, which in turn leads to uneven stresses and cross-section variations in the weld.
Metallurgical relevance & risks in welding
Irregular wire feed can lead to the following problems: uneven hardness distribution, increased stress states in the weld, coarsening of the microstructure, and increased susceptibility to cracking. These effects can significantly impair the mechanical strength and service life of the weld.
Workshop practice & action instructions
To ensure high wire feed precision, the following measures should be taken:
• Use a high-precision feed controller with a precision motor.
• Set the feed speed to the value recommended for the respective material and welding process (usually 1.5 to 3 mm/s).
• Constantly monitor the wire feed and correct manually or automatically if necessary.
• Use a stable power source and control the voltage in the melt pool.