Laser Cladding

Laser hard facing applies a thin layer of tungsten carbide to down hole tools, and combines a very abrasion resistant coating to (A.S.T.M 36A) tight dimensional control, and low heat input in a single process.

Techman CO2 Laser is attached to a 10m, 6-axis machine and has successfully applied coatings to Measuring Whilst Drilling, Logging Whilst Drilling, Rotary steerable tools as well as standard sleeves and stabilisers.

These processes are proven and validated in the company's in-house laboratory which was used to develop and control a variety of new laser hard facing systems and procedures.

Laser surface engineering such as cladding with its high processing speed and minimal thermal effects on the underlying substrate (because of its precise control of heat input and material addition) is a technique highly suited for localised repair of damaged parts.

A summary of some of the advantages of using lasers for surfacing engineering is as follows:

• A chemically clean light source delivers precisely controlled energy to localised regions.
• Beam delivery systems and cnc manipulation capabilities enable the process to be easily automated.
• The low heat input process gives precise control of geometry and composition of the modified material.
• Accurate precision, controlled heating, low heat input (and therefore with low distortion) and fast cycle time
• High processing speeds can produce refined and novel microstructures in the surface region.
• CNC capabilities allows for coatings to be an array of patterns and profiles.