FAQ
Frequently asked questions about LMD, repair and laser cladding.
Get concise answers on process fit, repair economics, materials, inspection, procurement inputs and when LMD is not the right route.
Quick direction
Start with the question closest to your component.
These four starting points provide an initial technical direction. A quotation still requires component data and a feasibility review.
Compare part size, detail, access and manufacturing goal.
Direct help Repair or replace?Compare component value, downtime, replacement lead time and repair effort.
Direct help Which material family?Frame the duty, substrate, temperature and functional surface.
Direct help What belongs in the enquiry?Assemble drawings, photos, material data, timing and inspection requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Technical answers on process choice, repair, materials and project preparation.
Open a question for a concise answer and relevant supporting information. Part-specific decisions are reviewed separately.
8 topic groups with 32 technical answers.
Laser Metal Deposition (LMD): applications, limits and project inputs
LMD is useful for local material addition, repair, laser cladding and larger near-net-shape parts when access, heat input, finishing and inspection can be planned together.
Metal AM
Request a process-selection feasibility review
Send CAD, material, approximate size and target finish. Exafuse can review whether LMD, SLM or a hybrid route is the practical process path.
Start manufacturing RFQLaser cladding: surface function, cracking risk and material choice
Laser cladding applies a metallurgically bonded material to a defined surface zone. Suitability depends on the failure mechanism, substrate, thermal response, final surface and inspection requirements.
Coating recommendation
Get a wear or corrosion coating recommendation
Send failure mode, base material, surface zone, environment and target property. The next step is an alloy and layer strategy.
Get coating recommendationRepair or replace: technical and commercial decision criteria
Repair is worth evaluating when damage is local, the remaining component is usable and the restored zone can be finished and inspected against agreed criteria.
Repair assessment
Send photos and dimensions for repair review
Best for worn, damaged or undersized high-value parts where replacement cost, lead time or downtime is painful.
Request repair assessmentMaterials for LMD and laser cladding: selection and qualification
Material selection starts with substrate, failure mechanism and service conditions. A familiar alloy name does not by itself establish processability or performance on a particular component.
Coating recommendation
Get a wear or corrosion coating recommendation
Send failure mode, base material, surface zone, environment and target property. The next step is an alloy and layer strategy.
Get coating recommendationQuality and inspection: what monitoring and testing can establish
Quality planning combines geometry, surface condition, bonding, internal defect risk, metallurgy and agreed acceptance criteria. Monitoring and inspection provide different evidence.
Quality alignment
Align on inspection and documentation before production
For projects where acceptance criteria, porosity risk, metallography, hardness or buyer documentation will decide the route.
Request validation planLMD or SLM/LPBF: choosing the process by part function
LMD and SLM/LPBF solve different manufacturing problems. Scale, detail, existing substrate, internal geometry, finishing and inspection determine which process should be reviewed first.
Metal AM
Request a process-selection feasibility review
Send CAD, material, approximate size and target finish. Exafuse can review whether LMD, SLM or a hybrid route is the practical process path.
Start manufacturing RFQDesign for LMD: geometry, machining and inspection access
Design for LMD treats deposition as a near-net-shape step. Access, heat flow, bead-scale geometry, datum strategy, machining allowance and inspection must be considered early.
Metal AM
Request a process-selection feasibility review
Send CAD, material, approximate size and target finish. Exafuse can review whether LMD, SLM or a hybrid route is the practical process path.
Start manufacturing RFQProcurement and RFQs: comparable scope, evidence and next steps
A useful RFQ defines the part, service scope, available data, final condition, inspection, quantity and timing. Price comparisons are meaningful only when scope and acceptance criteria are comparable.
Procurement
Download the RFQ logic, then request a quote
A good RFQ reduces scope drift. Send service type, part size, material, deadline, tolerances, files and documentation needs.
Start qualified RFQNext step
Still deciding which process fits your component?
Describe the component, material, objective and open technical questions. Exafuse will identify what is still needed for a useful feasibility review.
Next action
Move from answer to tool.
The FAQ answers the question. The tools help prepare the next technical decision.
Considers size, detail level, existing-part context, finishing and risk before a manufacturing request.
Business caseCompare repair with replacementUseful when replacement cost, lead time or downtime drives the decision.
Material guidanceAssess material suitabilityStarts from wear, corrosion, temperature, base material and target surface.
Request packageBuild a request packageCreates a mail-ready draft with part, material, goal, deadline and file notes.