Repair and reinforcement of drill heads

Drill heads used in the Oil & Gas sector are exposed to extreme wear, which directly affects their service life and operating costs. The challenge is to restore these components while locally improving their performance in order to limit replacements and reduce intervention times.

IREPA LASER has developed a powder-based laser DED cladding solution incorporating tungsten carbide-reinforced materials to maximise abrasion resistance. The combination of advanced robotic programming and an optimised digital chain makes it possible to process complex 3D geometries with a high level of precision and repeatability.

Simultaneous control of dilution and heat input is essential to preserve the properties of the reinforcements and ensure the metallurgical quality of the deposits. The IREPA LASER teams have also developed specific toolpath strategies to ensure reliable processing of complex shapes in an industrial environment.

The repaired parts offer enhanced wear performance and can be used directly in severe conditions. Optimising the digital chain has halved processing times, while providing a durable, industrialisable solution that significantly reduces maintenance costs.