Directed energy deposition (DED) additive manufacturing technology enhances the functionality of existing or damaged parts by adding metallic materials to the surfaces. Blown-powder DED technology utilizes a focused, high-energy source to fuse the part’s surface with the supplied metal powder. Maintaining a constant stand-off distance (SOD), the distance between the deposition head and the workpiece, is a key factor in ensuring deposition quality, as variations in SOD will change the powder focus position and the laser spot size on the surface. Therefore, traditional additive manufacturing systems require CAD or pre-scanned surface data. In this study, we proposed auto-surface tracking technology. No workpiece CAD data or pre-scanned surface data are required, and in-situ measurement and feedback control can automatically consider the deposition height differences that cause a change in SOD when depositing the next layer. The accuracy of the SOD measurements and feedback control error was verified using a step height sample. The mean SOD measurement error was 4.7 ㎛ with a standard deviation of 42 ㎛ (reference SOD, 14 ㎜). The feasibility of the autosurface tracking technology was confirmed through the additive manufacturing processes of the gear and an actual blanking mold applied in the defense and industrial fields.

In this study, design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) of release agent injection manifold for hot forging has been performed to achieve weight reduction and flow path optimization. The weight reduction of 53.5% was achieved, thereby enabling the application of stainless steel 316L, which has high strength and corrosion resistance. Lightweight manifolds using Al-Mg-10Si and SUS316L materials were fabricated by PBF-type metal 3D printer. The feasibility test showed that mold life was improved by 14% by solving residual release agent problem. In addition, the flow path optimization results suggested that the flow standard deviation of each outlet dropped sharply from 264 to 75 ㎤/s. This approach demonstrated that DfAM for release agent manifold could be applied to increase mold life and improve product quality and productivity for hot forging.