Optimization of WAAM deposition patterns for T-crossing features

Among emerging additive manufacturing technologies for metallic components, WAAM (Wire and Arc Additive Manufacturing) is one of the most promising. It is an arc based technology characterized by high productivity, high energy efficiency and low raw material cost. However, it has some drawbacks limiting its diffusion in the industry. One critical issue is the layer deposition strategy that must be manually optimized to minimize residual stress and strains while efficiently matching the geometrical characteristics of the component and ensuring a constant height for each layer. This work focuses on defining deposition paths for WAAM, where the choice of a path is a compromise between productivity and material usage efficiency. The present paper illustrates the process of selecting an optimized strategy for the manufacturing of T-crossing features.