Caterpillar Inc.
LASER SMOOTHING

Abstract:

A method of additive manufacturing includes providing a substrate material at a location proximate a surface of a part and forming the substrate material into an additive layer on top of the surface by exposing the substrate material to a first laser beam having a first power level. After forming the additive layer on the part, the method includes cooling at least a portion of the additive layer from a first temperature reached at the completion of the forming step to a second temperature. After cooling, the method includes exposing the additive layer to a second laser beam having a second power level, wherein the second power level is lower than the first power level.