Advances and the future trends in Wire and Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM)

Abstract

Over the past three decades, extensive research has been conducted on WAAM (Wire and Arc Additive Manufacturing), a production technology that traces its origins back almost a century with its initial patent. This technology has garnered increasing attention due to its capability to fabricate large nearnetshape metal products. The utilization of existing welding equipment for the heat source and material feedstock in WAAM offers the advantage of lower initial investment costs. Originally gaining prominence in the aerospace industry, it primarily focused on the utilization of lightweight metal alloys. However, recent advancements have broadened the scope of WAAM to encompass numerous products, including functionally graded materials (FGMs) and the combination of diverse alloys. This study seeks to unveil the latest breakthroughs and potential avenues in WAAM technology, offering valuable insights and recommendations for future research endeavors.