Hybrid Machine Tool Dramatically Lowers Cost to Implement 3D Metal Printing
Optomec, a leading global supplier of production grade additive manufacturing systems for 3D Printed Metals and 3D Printed Electronics, today released photos and videos from its "What's Next in Additive Manufacturing?" event held on May 13, 2015. Optomec, along with America Makes, MachMotion, and TechSolve, jointly unveiled a vintage CNC machine tool equipped with advanced metal 3D printing capabilities. The upgraded CNC machine can perform both additive and subtractive processes on the same metal part, enabling cost savings and productivity enhancements for manufacturers of all sizes.
"This project exemplifies the America Makes mission to efficiently accelerate the transition of promising additive technologies into mainstream manufacturing," said Ralph Resnick, America Makes Founding Director and NCDMM President and Executive Director. "This achievement is poised to have a game-changing impact on the manufacturing industry. For manufacturers and machine shops to now have the dual ability of employing additive and subtractive manufacturing processes in one machine is tremendous. They will be able to leverage their existing machine tool assets to cost-effectively use 3D printing in their facilities."
More than 100 people came together at the TechSolve headquarters in Cincinnati for the unveiling of the hybrid machine and a panel discussion of industry experts. The panel explored the opportunities resulting from enabling additive manufacturing to seamlessly co-exist with conventional manufacturing methods on the factory floor.
This project was funded by America Makes as part of its efforts to accelerate the adoption of metal additive manufacturing by US industry. The product development team included Optomec, who lead the development of the modularized LENS Print Engine; MachMotion, who provided expertise in additive/subtractive CNC controls; and TechSolve, who ensured machine tool optimization.
www.optomec.com
