Article

Qualification and Documentation: What Buyers Should Ask for in LMD/Laser Cladding Projects

Buyers should ask for process scope, material compatibility, inspection plan, acceptance criteria, post-processing route, nonconformance handling, documentation package, and project-specific risk controls.

Inspection equipment for additive manufacturing quality review

In brief

The short answer.

A good fit when

When it is a good fit.

Use this guidance to define inspection, documentation and acceptance requirements for LMD, repair or laser cladding.
For demanding parts, the main question is how the required quality will be demonstrated.
Process monitoring, metallography and NDT provide different forms of evidence.

Consider another process when

When another process may be better.

A visual check or dashboard is expected to replace an acceptance process.
A blanket quality promise is expected with no part-specific context.
Acceptance criteria stay undefined even though the request is already concrete.

Decision table

Key criteria for the process choice.

Decision table with decision point, good sign and escalation signal.
Decision point	Good sign	Escalate or avoid
Inspection target	Dimensions, bond quality, surface state or microstructure are clearly named.	Quality is only described as generally 'good'.
Method	NDT, cross-sections, measurement or documentation match the risk.	There is no link between risk and method.
Monitoring	Monitoring supports process understanding and technical review.	Monitoring is expected to replace acceptance on its own.
Acceptance	Acceptance criteria are defined before the work starts.	Acceptance is only discussed after the result exists.

In summary:

Useful when: Dimensions, bond quality, surface state or microstructure are clearly named.
Clarify first: Quality is only described as generally 'good'.

Comparable project

A related published case study.

Turbo Generator Rotor Wedge Coating with LMD: Heat-Controlled CuNi2SiCr on Copper Substrate

Turbo Generator Rotor Wedge Coating with LMD: Heat-Controlled CuNi2SiCr on Copper Substrate is a published project example for the process, material and inspection questions in Qualification and Documentation: What Buyers Should Ask for in LMD/Laser Cladding Projects.

Open related case study

Material and quality

What needs to be reviewed alongside the process.

Material

The material, substrate and heat effects determine which inspection methods are useful.
Microstructure or cross-section claims have to match the real application.

Quality

Set acceptance criteria, documentation and responsibilities before the work begins.
Process monitoring, NDT and destructive testing provide complementary evidence.

Inspection and acceptance

Checklist for the enquiry and acceptance plan.

Critical features and acceptance criteria
Suitable measurement or NDT methods
Cross-sections or metallography where needed
Documentation format
Decision owner for deviations and acceptance

Who this helps

Help procurement and engineering align on what proof to request from LMD or laser cladding suppliers.

What to evaluate

Why qualification differs from buying a standard part.
Supplier capability questions.
Material and process documentation.
Inspection and acceptance criteria.
Traceability and reporting.
Quote comparison scorecard.

Technical context

This topic connects to supplier qualification, documentation, procurement, LMD, laser cladding for industrial LMD, DED, repair, coating, or metal AM decisions.

Information for inspection planning

Identify the critical features, part function, acceptance criteria, requested inspection methods and documentation scope.

Common project questions

Questions that often arise in similar projects.

What can monitoring actually demonstrate?

Monitoring can make process behavior visible, but it does not replace part acceptance supported by appropriate physical inspection.

What inspection should be written into the request?

The method should follow from functional surfaces, risk, material selection and the agreed acceptance criteria.

When is metallography worth it?

Especially when bond quality, microstructure or layer build-up are central to the technical decision.

Recommended next steps

Clarify the next technical question.

Use the linked pages to assess scope, quantity and acceptance criteria for Qualification and Documentation: What Buyers Should Ask for in LMD/Laser Cladding Projects.

Next step

Prepare a useful enquiry.

Include drawings or photos, scope, quantity and acceptance criteria.

Prepare an RFQ

Request packageBuild a request package Cost overviewReview the main cost drivers Initial assessmentClarify the next step Direct contactRequest a Teams or phone call

Technical overview

Key technical points at a glance.

CompanyExafuse / ThinkIng - Additive Technology GmbH

FocusQualification and Documentation: What Buyers Should Ask for in LMD/Laser Cladding Projects

Key questionWhat decision does this Exafuse article help buyers make about Qualification and Documentation: What Buyers Should Ask for in LMD/Laser Cladding Projects?

Suitable whenUse this guidance to define inspection, documentation and acceptance requirements for LMD, repair or laser cladding. / For demanding parts, the main question is how the required quality will be demonstrated.

Not suitable whenA visual check or dashboard is expected to replace an acceptance process. / A blanket quality promise is expected with no part-specific context.

Required input dataAcceptance criteria, inspection needs, documentation, part function

Related serviceQuality

Related toolBuild a request package, Review the main cost drivers, Clarify the next step

Related case studyTurbo Generator Rotor Wedge Coating with LMD: Heat-Controlled CuNi2SiCr on Copper Substrate

ContactFeasibility request

Project-specific limitsPublic technical context, not final engineering approval.

Publication details

Authorship and technical context.

Revision 1.0

Published: August 2025
Last technical review: August 2025
Page scope: General technical guidance · Procurement and RFQ guidance

Author

Julian KrellMaterial scientist and managing director

Material selection, feasibility and project scope

Technical reviewer

Manish SharmaIndustrial AI and decision systems

Process monitoring, image processing and LMD/DED data systems

Reference basis

Public technical literature

The guidance supports procurement and enquiry preparation; acceptance and scope remain project-specific.