Hybrid metal 3D printers
Hybrid metal 3D printers
Development of metal 3D printing technologies is the subject of fierce global competition between companies in Europe, North America, and Japan.
As each country invests heavily in research on the subject, as a next-generation production technology, its speed is increasing from year to year. However, in the practical production field use of this technology involves a number of drawbacks. Hybrid metal 3D printing is a unique technology developed in Japan to overcome these drawbacks by incorporating a cutting function into the equipment.
Production of parts having deep ribs or complex shapes from bulk materials requires multiple machining processes and the needs to split the parts themselves and change their designs. This takes time and results in accumulation of errors through multiple machining processes.
Since the metal 3D printer technologies used in Europe and North America employ lasers only, parts produced using those technologies are suitable for only limited uses due to low levels of precision and surface roughness. From our experience, the scope in which such parts can be used is very narrow.
This solution is realized through combining in a single device metal 3D printer technology capable of producing a complex part as a single module and cutting technology for ensuring precision. This unique method developed in Japan can be put to full use in mass-production facilities seeking to achieve both precision and durability for practical use.
Aiming for cost savings and environmental impact reduction
Our goal is to simplify the process of production of lightweight, complex parts using metal 3D printer technology. At the same time, this should lessen the environmental impact of production through cutting energy use.
