MONACO - MONitoring And COntrol for advanced laser processing
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Duroc Laser Coating AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 2 122 868 |
| Project duration | October 2021 - October 2023 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Joint R&D projects for small and medium-sized enterprises in Sweden-Germany |
| Call | German-Swedish Call for joint R&D projects by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises spring 2021 |
Important results from the project
The project Monaco achieved the goal to provide a sophisticated two-camera system for monitoring of the blown powder laser cladding process, extendable to 3D-printing. The overall concept, integrated and demonstrated in an industrial manufacturing cell, meets the aim of prerequisites for a closed loop control, to ensure high product quality. In addition to advanced knowledge, the results enable new business opportunities along with economic and environmental advantages.
Expected long term effects
A thermal combined with a geometrical camera system has been developed, into an industrial manufacturing cell, accompanied by software algorithms, to evaluate in-situ the most important process conditions. From systematic studies, favoured camera systems and image analysis have been identified and explained. The feasibility of a closed loop control was simulated. From the gained knowledge, improved in-line quality control during thermal manufacturing processes can be expected.
Approach and implementation
The project was carried out according to its workplan, by a new partnership of complementary expertise, composed of a laser cladding company, a thermal camera developer and a university in Sweden together with a topology camera supplier and a research institute in Germany. A clear modular workplan facilitated the project execution, despite facing different scientific and practical challenges of the hardware integration and of the interpretation of measured data, which led to powerful solutions.