Laser metal deposition technique: sustainability and environmental impact

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a term used in describing a set of manufacturing techniques that employs layer upon layer production of parts and components through the application of 3D model data and inputs of raw material. The technology easily comes to mind in the recent times as processing complexities during production is partly responsible for the high cost of parts and components. Industries such as the heavy machinery consumers, aerospace and casting industry now employs the technology as a way of prolonging service of faulty parts through repair and remanufacturing technology. AM has the tendency to change many production set ups through reduction in cost of production, material wastage, energy usage, component lead time etc. AM technologies also have their own challenges despite numerous advantages associated with them. This paper looks at some of the laser metal deposition techniques, their sustainability and environmental impact.