Height Is Not Cosmetic
Why bead height, build-up height, and machining allowance affect LMD/DED repair decisions, evidence needs, and RFQ quality.
One-line thesis
Height affects geometry, heat input, machining allowance, inspection access, and final tolerance. It is not a cosmetic variable.
Why it matters in LMD/DED
In repair and cladding, deposited height influences how much material must be removed, whether final dimensions can be recovered, and how inspection should be planned.
Common mistake
Treating a worn area as a surface problem without asking how much build-up and finishing allowance are needed.
Better decision question
What final geometry, tolerance, and inspection route must the deposited height support?
What evidence is needed
Damage depth, target height, machining allowance, drawing/CAD, tolerance requirement, and post-machining inspection plan.
What changes the decision
Final tolerance, damage depth, machining access, heat-sensitive geometry, and inspection access can turn a promising repair into a review-only candidate.
Related playbook/tool
Use the LMD repair playbook and the worn-shaft cockpit preset before preparing an LMD Decision Brief v1.0.
Exafuse route if commercial review is needed
Request Exafuse review: use Exafuse for company-owned technical and commercial review.
Boundary disclaimer
Preliminary decision-support only. Final feasibility depends on base material, geometry, service conditions, inspection requirements, and expert review.
Related pages
Related source notes
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