Directed Energy Deposition (DED) is an additive manufacturing category particularly suitable for large-scale metal parts. Despite its advantages, significant challenges remain in controlling the resulting material properties. In his joint doctoral research at Tampere University and Centrale Nantes, Antoine Quéguineur identified and investigated the key parameters influencing deposition quality in two DED technologies: Wire Arc DED (WA-DED) and Wire Laser DED (WL-DED).
In his doctoral research, Quéguineur demonstrated that adjusting the manufacturing settings and applying external techniques like ultrasonic vibration during the process can significantly enhance the microstructural characteristics of metallic alloys. He identified standard characterization methods as effective tools for initial screening on a large number of samples, providing quick and reliable results, and enabling the exploration of the process parameter window.
“This clarified how process settings affect deposition and generated useful data for improving manufacturing outcomes,” Quéguineur says.
Since manufactured components can have different shapes and features, such as varying thicknesses, heat effects, or deposition strategies, understanding the impact of parameter variations is crucial for improving final part quality. Quéguineur’s approach helps turn experimental investigations into solutions that can be used in real industrial production.
As a highlight of his dissertation, Quéguineur points out the study of a half-scale railway bogie demonstrator, redesigned and built using WA-DED technology.
“This example shows how collaboration between different fields, as engineering, design, and manufacturing, can help apply DED to real-world parts. While DED already has many advantages, the research demonstrates how these can be improved by combining better design, smart manufacturing choices, and testing,” he says.
The aim of his compiled studies was to contribute to solving scientific and technical challenges that currently limit the wider use of DED in industry. By covering a broad range of topics, such as improving the process, understanding materials, redesigning parts, and ensuring quality, Quéguineur’s work supports the development of more reliable and widely usable manufacturing solutions.
Antoine Quéguineur is from France where he developed strong connection with Centrale Nantes and local industry partners. Currently, he lives in Tampere, Finland, where he continues his work at Tampere University, focusing on the advancement of large-scale additive manufacturing.
Public defence on Friday 9 May 2025
The doctoral dissertation of Antoine Quéguineur in the field of mechanical engineering, titled Translating Microstructural, Mechanical and Process Insights to Part-Level Design in Directed Energy Deposition, will be publicly examined at the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences at Tampere University at 13:15 on Friday 9 May 2025, at Konetalo building, Auditorium K1702 (Korkeakoulunkatu 6, Tampere).
The Opponents will be Professor Francisco Chinesta Soria from Arts et Métiers Institute of Technology, France and Adjunct Professor Heidi Piili from University of Turku, Finland. The Custos will be Academy Research Fellow Iñigo Flores Ituarte from Tampere University.