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An increasing demand for flexibility and product integration, combined with reduced product development cycles, leads to continuous development of new manufacturing technologies such as additive manufacturing. Wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) provides promising technology for the near net-shape production of large structures with complex geometry, using cost efficient production resources such as arc welding technology and wire materials. Compared to powder-based additive manufacturing processes, WAAM offers high deposition rates as well as enhanced material utilization. Because of the layer-by-layer built up approach, process conditions such as energy input, arc characteristics, and material composition result in a different processability during the additive manufacturing process. This experimental study aims to describe the effects of the welding process on buildup accuracy and material properties during wire arc additive manufacturing of aluminum structures. Following a process development using pulse cold metal transfer (CMT-P), linear wall samples were manufactured with variations of the filler metal. The samples were analyzed in terms of surface finishing, hardness, and residual stress. Furthermore, mechanical properties were determined in different building directions.

Additive manufacturing (AM) in industrial applications benefits from increasing interest due to its automation potential and its flexibility in manufacturing complex structures. The construction and architecture sector sees the potential of AM especially in the free form design of steel components, such as force flow optimized nodes or bionic-inspired spaceframes. Robot-guided wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) is capable of combining a high degree of automation and geometric freedom with high process efficiency. The build-up strategy (layer by layer) and the corresponding heat input influence the mechanical properties of the WAAM products. This study investigates the WAAM process by welding a bar regarding the build-up geometry, surface topography, and material properties. For tensile testing, an advanced testing procedure is applied to determine the strain fields and mechanical properties of the bars on the component and material scale.

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Wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) provides a promising alternative to conventional machining for the production of large structures with complex geometry, as well as individualized low quantity components, using cost-efficient production resources. Due to the layer-by-layer build-up approach, process conditions, such as energy input, deposition patterns and heat conduction during the additive manufacturing process result in a unique thermal history of the structure, affecting the build-up properties. This experimental study aims to describe the effects of thermal cycling on the geometrical and material properties of wire arc additive manufactured Al-5356 aluminum alloy. Under consideration, that Al-5356 is a non-heat treatable alloy, a significant effect on geometrical formation is expected. Linear wall samples were manufactured using pulsed cold metal transfer (CMT-P) under variation of wire-feed rate, travel speed and interpass temperatures. The samples were analyzed in terms of geometry; microstructural composition; hardness and residual stress. Furthermore, the mechanical properties were determined in different building directions.