Hari metalikoetan eta arku elektrikoan oinarritutako fabrikazio-gehigarriko WAAM teknologiaren oinarriak eta aplikazioak

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is a new production concept based on the formation of parts layer by layer. Thanks to its nature, the design limitations imposed by traditional manufacturing techniques can be overcome. Although, parts can be manufactured in many different types of materials utilizing this technology, this paper will only focused on additive manufacturing techniques based on metallic materials. These techniques can be classified into three main groups: Powder Bed Fusion (PBF), Powder Feed Systems (PFS) and Wire Feed Systems (WFS). Due to the advantages it presents, special attention will be paid to the Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) technique classified within the WFS techniques. Among its characteristics, the most significant is the high deposition rate that it offers which allows the manufacture of large parts. In addition, compared with traditional manufacturing techniques the amount of material used is reduced and therefore a high efficiency of material usage is achieved obtaining preforms close to the final part that must be machined. WAAM technology also enables the manufacturing of parts in any weldable wire-like metallic material. Thus, the price of a kilogram of material in wire format is much cheaper than the powder used by certain additive manufacturing techniques. This work will also describe various real use cases focused on each application area (direct manufacturing, indirect manufacturing and repair).