In Laser Material Deposition with powdered additives, the powder supply to the melt pool plays a crucial role, significantly influencing powder utilization, oxidation, layer quality, and process economics. Collaborating with the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT, various concepts for powder nozzles have been developed and implemented into industrial-grade products. All nozzles are modular, allowing easy and quick exchange of components. Integrated water cooling enables continuous nozzle operation for extended periods. Distinctions are made between off-axis (lateral) and coaxial powder nozzles, the latter further divided into discrete and continuous types. HD focuses on continuous, coaxial powder nozzles and special coatings to enhance wear resistance for higher performance. In addition to the latest development 'HIGHNO®,' other customizable solutions are presented.
HD, in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT, has developed a new powder nozzle designed as a plug-and-play solution for mass production. The innovative design features a monolithic structure of the powder tip module, comprising inner and outer cones. This module can be preassembled with appropriate form and positional tolerances, exchanged without manual adjustment, and customized for gap size and wear resistance based on customer preferences. On-site conversion takes a very short time (1-2 minutes) without compromising quality.