Nissly Mechatronics Incorperated — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: As the Navy fleet ages there are many system components with small, cylindrical bore shape

Description

As the Navy fleet ages there are many system components with small, cylindrical bore shapes with wear and/or corrosion damage which can not realistically be removed for repair. The current repair method most commonly used, brush electroplating, does not last long, requiring frequent repairs. The Navy desires a deep bore wire-based laser cladding capability to accomplish a much longer lasting repair. We propose to develop a portable, robust laser cladding system for repair of small inner diameter components. Included in this effort will be a detailed analysis of the procedures, equipment, and preparations necessary to perform shipboard laser clad repairs in order to show that laser cladding is a feasible, cost efficient repair solution. The laser cladding head design will be based on improving an existing prototype deep bore wire-based laser cladding head. Design improvements will focus primarily on improved process imaging, maintaining a constant head standoff distance, and aligning the filler wire properly in the melt pool of the laser beam.