Thu, 19 February, 2026
The outcomes of a recent TWI joint industry project (JIP) are now available to interested parties. The project, ‘Nozzle Calibration and Quality Assurance for Powder-Fed Laser Deposition,’ has successfully completed and the reports from the project are now available to purchase.
The programme of work established an evidence-based framework for the characterisation of Powder–Gas Jet Streams (PGJS), supporting improved process reliability and informed decision-making across powder-fed laser directed energy deposition (L-DED).
L-DED is an additive manufacturing (AM) method that uses a high-energy beam to deposit materials layer-by-layer according to set geometric information created through computer-aided design (CAD).
The project included the acquisition and evaluation of high technology readiness level (TRL) PGJS measurement systems and the systematic investigation of the influence of process parameters through structured experiments.
This led to a definition of best-practice measurement procedures and agnostic benchmarking of measurement systems as well as confidential characterisation of individual nozzle set-ups for the project sponsors.
This programme was made possible through the support and technical engagement of a select set of Industrial Member companies.
The JIP represents an important step towards standardised nozzle calibration, improved quality assurance, and increased confidence in powder-fed laser deposition processes.
The reports of this JIP are available through TWI’s JIP Buyback process. If you would like to gain access to the results of this research please email contactus@twi.co.uk.