Abstract: To investigate the residual stress distribution of laser additive manufacturing cladding layers on axial surfaces and reduce the impact of residual stresses on the performance of the workpiece, through numerical simulation methods, the distribution laws of the temperature field and stress field in the single-pass multi-layer laser cladding process of 316L stainless steel based on the shaft surface were discussed. Firstly, a three-dimensional numerical model of laser cladding was established using finite element analysis software, with a hollow cylinder as the substrate. Secondly, through simulation calculations, the effects of process parameters such as laser power and scanning speed on the temperature field distribution were analyzed, and the generation and evolution patterns of thermal stresses during the cladding process were studied. The results show that the scanning speed has a greater influence on the maximum temperature of the workpiece compared to the laser power, and selecting a lower laser power or a higher scanning speed can effectively reduce residual stresses. As the number of scanning layers increases, the temperature gradient of the outer layers becomes larger, leading to greater residual stresses. At a laser power of 800 W and a scanning speed of 15 mm/s, the residual stress and deformation of the workpiece are minimized. This study provides theoretical guidance for optimizing laser cladding process parameters and improving cladding layer performance, laying the foundation for further experimental research.