An assessment of wire laser additive manufacturing with focus on characteristics research progress and quality improvement

Wire Laser Additive Manufacturing (WLAM) is widely recognized for its capability to produce large-scale metal components at fast deposition speed. Significant progress has been made in understanding the microstructure and mechanical properties of WLAM-produced materials. To meet practical application demands, various materials have been explored in WLAM research. This article provides a comprehensive review of WLAM technology, examining key research areas related to its development. It also presents an overview of WLAM systems and process parameters. Furthermore, it synthesizes information on materials used in previous studies. The movement strategy of the printing head, the geometric characteristics of the deposited layers, and their impact on the final product are discussed in detail. Additionally, the microstructure and defects observed in prior research are analyzed. Various strategies for enhancing productivity, improving quality, and minimizing defects such as process monitoring, support mechanisms, and optimization techniques are also reviewed. Addressing these challenges may require more tailored approaches for different materials to establish an optimal operating system.