Evaluation of Additive Manufacturing Parts Machinability using Automated GMAW ER70S-6 with Nodular Cast Iron

Abstract

Through additive manufacturing is possible to obtain products with few material waste, low production time and great flexibility in geometry. In recent years, the application of arc welding processes has been studied as additive manufacturing techniques for metals. When compared to laser welding processes, they have low equipment cost, high deposition rate, however a low surface quality. This work proposes to study the machinability of additive manufacturing parts using automated GMAW. The deposition was carried out using a robotic arm, using ER70S-6' wire with a substrate of nodular cast iron. Two deposition strategies were carried out, one alternating the passes directions and the other one depositing in the same direction. The machining process used was milling in a three axis machining center. The deposition strategy had an influence on the parts surface finish after machining, as well as on the tool life.