What Arc Processes can be used in WAAM?

Various electric arc sources like TIG, MIG, MAG, PTA, and PNTA can be used in the WAAM process, each with specific advantages and drawbacks. Selection is based on material type, part complexity, and target deposition rate at WAAM3D.

In principle, anything based on electric arcs can be used as the heat-source in the WAAM process. Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG), Metal Inert Gas (MIG), Metal Active Gas (MAG), Plasma Transferred Arc (PTA), Plasma Non Transferred Arc (PNTA) have all been adopted, with one or more wires fed (e.g. tandem MIG). There are also further variants, including also hybridisation with more heat sources. Each of these processes has specific advantages and drawbacks, related to their energy density, the level of control they provide, the deposition rate they can achieve, and the types of defects they might produce. At WAAM3D, we base our selection on material type, part complexity, and target deposition rate.