LaTex – Laser texturing before thermal spraying

The project LaTex tackles the challenge area ”Resource-efficient production” by focusing on the surface preparation processes before thermal spraying. LaTex proposes the substitution of the traditional multi-step grit-blasting process by a one-step automated laser texturing. The overall goal of the project is to demonstrate the effectiveness and benefits of laser texturing before thermal spraying in industrial environments.

The expected effects are many-fold, some of which are:

• Laser texturing gives defined surface roughness with a defined topography, can be used for a larger pool of materials and geometries, allowing broader use of thermal spraying
• Improved resource use: no need for cleaning chemicals, fresh water, grit medium and subsequent disposal, comparatively low use of electrical energy
• Better work environment: removal of noise and vibrations, reduction of dispersed particles
• Long term: implementation of compact production units to be used in a versatile manner for a resilient production