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Laser cladding is a surfacing process used to produce wear and corrosion resistant surfaces by covering a particular part of the substrate with another material that has superior properties, producing a fusion bond between the two materials with minimal dilution of the clad layer by the substrate. Through a LabVIEW software based monitoring program, the real-time process monitoring of optical emissions in the form of light and heat radiation was carried out, and correlated with the properties of the produced clad layers. The advantages of laser cladding compared to the conventional techniques include low and controllable heat input into the workpiece, a high cooling rate, great processing flexibility, low distortion due to the low heat input to the workpiece and minimal post- treatment. The main processing parameters of laser cladding include laser power, laser spot size, processing speed, and powder feed rate. Within optimized operation window, all these variables have some effect on the temperature of clad interaction zone.

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Dr. Dariush SALEHI, a Senior Electrical Engineer and an Electrical Engineering buff for two decades was awarded his PhD degree by Swinburne University. Born in Masjed Soleiman (Iran) where the first oil wells of the Middle East were drilled, intends to share his gained knowledge working with an industrial laser with other enthusiasts.

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