Importance

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Abstract

Powder feed apparatus for providing a precise flow rate of fine powder for laser welding as well as other welding operations where such precise flow of fine powder is required. The powder is metered by means of at least one wheel rotatable within a housing and having a peripheral edge with at least one plurality of cavities in the peripheral edge. The cavities are substantially evenly spaced entirely about the wheel periphery and sized to hold substantially equal volumes. The peripheral edge has a close clearance with the housing whereby to entrap for delivery to the outlet discrete precise quantities exclusively of the powder in the cavities. A velocity feed-back controlled motor connected to the wheel is provided to precisely control the flow rate of the powder by precisely controlling the motor velocity. More than one plurality of wheel cavities are perferably provided to overlap so as to minimize pulsing of the powder to eliminate a lumpy appearance of the weld for a stronger weld and more aesthetically pleasing weld with the same amount of powder. In order to precisely position the powder stream particularly after a nozzle tip has been replaced a tri-axial cross-slide assembly is preferably provided to fine tune the nozzle tip position.

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First Claim