3D profile measurement of components before laser cladding

In laser cladding, a melt pool is created on the surface of the component. Adding a powdered filler material creates a new, pore-free layer. A scanCONTROL laser profile scanner from Micro Epsilon was used to detect free forms and deviations of the components before laser processing. The scanning is done from multiple different direction and achieve reliable results regardless of the material properties. Obtaining the profile data before processing is crucial to derive optimum processing path.

Alternatively, different sensors can be used depending on the application, for example repair, 3D printing, joining or coating and component size. The new scanCONTROL 3050-50/BL is ideally suited for this type of measurement as the blue laser line offers accurate and precise measurement on metallic surface. This advanced profile scanner also offers a healthy measuring range of 50 mm, with 2,048 measurement points per profile and capability to measure at high speed up to 10,000 profiles per second.

The raw profile data is transferred directly to the customer software, assembled into a 3D model and finally used for the path planning of the laser welding head. The nozzle can then be placed at the correct distance from the surface and guided along the calculated path. The result is a new, even and full surface.

In contrast to a camera solution, laser profile scanners enable the creation of a 3D model and are also surface-independent in terms of contrast. The higher precision, as well as the various integration and processing possibilities of the acquired measurement data, also offer significant advantages in this application.