OPTICALLY CONDUCTIVE FILLER FOR LASER PROCESSING

摘要

A filler feed wire (20) including both a laser conductive element (26) and a filler material (22) extending along a length of the wire. Laser energy (30) can be directed into a proximal end (32) of the laser conductive element for melting a distal end (34) of the feed wire to form a melt pool (24) for additive fabrication or repair. The laser conductive element may serve as a flux material. In this manner, laser energy is delivered precisely to the distal end of the feed wire, eliminating the need to separately coordinate laser beam motion with feed wire motion.