BARRECLAD Project – LASER CLADDING OF LARGE TWIN BARRELS (BARRELCLAD)

BARRECLAD Project

START DATE:  01/09/2021
END DATE:  30/09/2022
TOPIC:  Development of a first-time-right internal laser cladding technology to coat automated into barrels with a controlled and validated process.
CALL IDENTIFIER:  Pulsate 1st TTE Open Call
COORDINATOR: LCV (Belgium)
PARTNER: NIT (Spain)

Project’s website

PROJECT SUMMARY:

BARRELCLAD will implement an automated production flow including a monitor & control system to coat inside twin barrels with laser cladding technology. The aim of this development is to coat large twin barrels internally with a cost-efficient process with ensured quality and first-time-right.

The process enhancement will focus on the development of the main technologies listed below:

  • Laser Cladding Technology: LCV has a custom high power internal clad nozzle for coating cost-efficiently. The internal cladding nozzle can go up to 5kW laser power and inside tubes of 1500mm.
  • Robot Automation: Currently LCV is developing their own machine controller to control process and actuation of the complete laser cladding process. This Real-time controlling system enables LCV to trace the production of each part.
  • Sensors & toolpath generation: This LMD Auto controller is equipped with custom sensors (laser distance sensors, thermal sensors, etc.) to monitor the cladnozzle and the process. Additional toolpaths can be generated online just before cladding.
  • Infrared Technology will be used to monitor and control laser process: It will be done adapting an existing commercial system of NIT (CLAMIR) to the requirements of BARRELCLAD. CLAMIR system uses the exclusive IR technology developed at NIT. The adaptation will require the design, manufacture of specific optical elements in the optical path. Also a specific control strategy tailored to BARRELCLAD application will be developed.