Direct Energy Deposition

Direct Energy Deposition (DED) method of additive manufacturing (AM) is a new paragon for the production, repairing, and design of the complex components of different applications, such as automotive, aerospace, medical equipment, biomedical products, etc. The focused energy source and deposit material (wire or powder form) meet at a focal point where the material melts and is deposited layer by layer at the same time. The laser beam, electron beam, plasma, and electric arc sources are used as a focused energy source based on the type of materials. The demand for the DED process is increasing day by day due to its flexibility for using conductive/nonconductive materials in wire/powder forms. The desired shape and mechanical properties of the manufactured products can be optimized by administering the parameters of DED. A comprehensive review of the DED process is discussed in this chapter, where the deposition mechanisms, the energy sources, the effect of processing parameters, defects, and the mechanical properties, are highlighted in detail.

Keywords: 3D printing, Additive manufacturing, Directed energy deposition, Electron beam, Laser, Metal deposition, Plasma arc, Power feedstock, Steel, Superalloys, Wide feedstock.