# WAAM contract manufacturing: parts that arrive with their thermal record Source: https://www.therness.com/waam-contract-manufacturing/ Language: en Need a metal part or a prototype built with wire arc additive manufacturing, without buying a cell? We build it in the development cell and ship it with the thermal record of every layer. Therness, a Politecnico di Torino spin-off, records every build with a thermal camera and weld parameters, so you see how each layer was made. [Request a feasibility study](https://www.therness.com/contact/?product=Feasibility%20study&source_page=%2Fwaam-contract-manufacturing%2F) [Request a quote](https://www.therness.com/contact/?product=WAAM%20contract%20manufacturing) ![WAAM deposition in the Therness cell with the torch and the thermal camera mounted on the robot](https://www.therness.com/assets/images/optimized/waam-30-geometries-torch-thermal-camera-760.webp) The problem ## A WAAM part without data is a part you have to trust Heat builds up layer after layer. Without a record, a layer that ran too hot or cooled too fast is found only by cutting or testing the part, if at all. What we do ## From your drawing to a recorded part ### Prototypes and test parts Walls, blocks and specimen shapes deposited from your drawing, to try a design or a material before you invest in a process. ### Specimens for parameter studies Several geometries and parameter sets on one plate, every bead tagged and recorded, so you compare settings on data instead of on looks. ### Layer-by-layer thermal record The thermal recording of every bead and of the whole plate for every layer, with a welding log for each bead, delivered with the part. R&D evidence ## What we have built so far Demonstrated in research trials in October 2026. R&D remains in development; part suitability is assessed from your drawing, material and intended use. | Process | Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM), using MIG/MAG deposition | | --- | --- | | Material demonstrated in R&D | ER70S-6 carbon steel. Other alloys require a feasibility review and a trial before we commit to a build | | Current research plate: usable area | 340 × 158 mm. This is the trial area, not a guaranteed maximum part size; send a drawing for a feasibility review | | Geometries demonstrated in R&D | Thin walls, multi-bead walls, blocks and specimen shapes | What you receive ## The part and its records - **Every bead:** a thermal recording, available electrical recordings and a thermal overview image, as defined in the quote. - **Every layer:** a thermal recording of the whole plate. - **Welding log:** current, voltage, wire feed speed, power, energy and time of every bead, with the robot tags of sequence, layer and bead. - **High-speed clips** from Therness PoolDrop where captured, or for agreed stages of the build. - **An index** that links every file to its bead and layer, and a written report of the build. **Not included:** machining, heat treatment, sectioning, mechanical tests, radiography or CT, and independent dimensional inspection. The part leaves the cell as deposited; we do not certify it. Evidence ## Built and recorded in the development cell A short film of a WAAM build during our research trials, from the droplet to the part. Our WAAM R&D recorded all 192 of 192 beads in the 19 October 2026 campaign. R&D is in development; these are research specimens. ![From the droplet to the part: a WAAM build in the Therness lab cell](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0fYm5mUxxKI/maxresdefault.jpg) Research service · in development ## WAAM datasets and evidence packs For universities and research centres: a data service based on Therness laboratory campaigns, with scope, supporting evidence and limitations agreed around your research question. P0 — Free evaluation sample Subject to confirmed availability, usage rights and licence terms. P1 — One campaign A package from one laboratory campaign, with data coverage and delivery agreed. P2 — Multiple campaigns An option to broaden your research coverage. P3 — Tailored acquisition An option for a campaign defined around your research question. Service in development. Price on request. Samples and data are shared only after availability, rights and licence terms have been confirmed. [Request a WAAM data service proposal](https://www.therness.com/contact/?product=WAAM%20dataset%20and%20evidence%20pack) Describe your research question in the contact form. [![Therness research figure: a qualitative comparison of layer-level thermal maps of a WAAM wall, without numerical scales.](https://www.therness.com/assets/images/blog/layer-aware-golden-curves-waam-rd-heatmap-1200.webp)](https://www.therness.com/assets/images/blog/layer-aware-golden-curves-waam-rd-heatmap-1200.webp) Figure from Therness research on WAAM layers, in development. This illustrates the research; it is not a downloadable data preview or a certification of defects. Timing ## How an order works 1. **Send the part.** Drawing or 3D model, material, quantity and use. We reply within one business day. 2. **Build plan and quote.** Material, deposition strategy, delivery date and what is included. Price on request. 3. **Build and record.** The part is deposited in the development cell with every layer recorded. Build duration and delivery timing are confirmed in the quote after the drawing, material and quantity have been reviewed. 4. **Delivery.** The part with its thermal record and a short build report. Want to monitor WAAM on your own machine instead? See [WAAM monitoring](https://www.therness.com/waam-additive-manufacturing-monitoring/). For process questions before a build, see our [engineering consulting](https://www.therness.com/engineering-consulting/). FAQ ## Questions about WAAM parts ### What do I need to send for a quote? A drawing or a 3D model of the part, the material you need, the quantity and what the part is for. If the geometry or the material is new for the development cell, we propose a short trial build first. ### What do I receive with the part? The part as deposited, with a thermal record for each bead and layer, the available electrical recordings, a welding log, high-speed clips where captured, and a build report. The quote defines the recording package. ### Why does the thermal record matter? Heat input and interpass temperature change from layer to layer and affect how the part grows and distorts. The record helps you review how the build evolved layer by layer and plan further inspection. It does not certify internal soundness or mechanical properties. ### Which materials can you deposit? ER70S-6 carbon steel has been deposited in our R&D trials. Other alloys require a feasibility review and a trial before we commit to a build. ### Do you machine, heat-treat or certify the part? No. The part leaves the cell as deposited. Machining, heat treatment, sectioning, mechanical tests, radiography or CT and dimensional inspection are done by your supplier or laboratory. Our records tell them which layers to look at first. ### How is it priced? Price on request. The quote states the material, the build plan, the delivery date and what is included. The feasibility study on your drawing and material has a fixed price, on request. ### Start with a feasibility study Send us the drawing, the material and the quantity. We reply with a build plan, the delivery date and a quote. Feasibility study: fixed price, on request. [Request a feasibility study](https://www.therness.com/contact/?product=Feasibility%20study&source_page=%2Fwaam-contract-manufacturing%2F) [Request a quote](https://www.therness.com/contact/?product=WAAM%20contract%20manufacturing)