Post by GEFERTEC

Impeller Manufacturing with WAAM: Cutting Production Time by 63% In the race to produce complex components faster and more efficiently, Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (#WAAM) is proving to be a true game-changer - especially when combined with precision machining. A recent study by Hwi Jun Son et al. (2024) highlights the potential by comparing conventional CNC machining of an Inconel 625 impeller with a hybrid WAAM + machining approach. The results are compelling: 🔹 Production Time Traditional machining from a solid disk required nearly 49 hours. The hybrid approach completed the part in just 18 hours—a time reduction of over 60%. 🔹 Material Efficiency Pure machining removed ~49.4% of the raw material as waste. With WAAM, this dropped to 31.7%, preserving more of the costly Inconel alloy. 🔹 Dimensional Accuracy Despite the additive process, the final impeller achieved tight tolerances of ±0.02 mm, with a maximum deviation of just 0.013 mm - demonstrating near-net-shape capability ready for precision finishing. 🔹 Tool Wear & Cost Less material removal means reduced tool engagement, lower wear, and significant potential cost savings. This hybrid manufacturing strategy not only accelerates production but also unlocks new possibilities for high-performance rotating components - combining efficiency, accuracy, and sustainability. 👇 Curious how a 700 kg impeller is produced using WAAM? Watch the process in action below 👇

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