In addition to announcing a partnership with machine tool manufacturer Fryer Machine Systems, additive manufacturing (AM) systems developer Optomec has launched a new tool series for low-cost high-value metal 3D printing.
Launched today at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS 2016), the new LENS Machine Tool Series integrates Optomec’s robust LENS metal AM technology into conventional CNC Vertical Milling platforms, resulting in the industry’s first Hybrid VMC Controlled-Atmosphere System.
“Optomec’s Machine Tool series leverages LENS industry-proven technology to provide high-performance metal additive and hybrid manufacturing capabilities at an incredible price point, making additive manufacturing a viable solution for the machine tooling industry,” Mr. David Ramahi, president and CEO of Optomec, commented. “This new product line complements our existing LENS systems and fills specific gaps for low cost additive only and hybrid CNC inert systems. We are working with machine tool vendors to make production-grade metal additive manufacturing more affordable and accessible.”
Optomec’s new LENS Machine Tool series combines high-quality CNC platforms from Fryer Machine Systems with LENS Print Engine technology to bring metal AM capabilities to a broader market. It includes three standard configurations, all designed to reduce manufacturing process times and costs while enabling improved end product performance and rapid design changes.
The LENS 3D Metal Additive System provides high-value, open atmosphere processing with prices starting at $250,000. The second configuration is the LENS 3D Metal Hybrid VMC System, which combines additive and subtractive operations on the same machine at a low cost. The third is the industry first, LENS 3D Metal Hybrid VMC Inert System which provides an atmosphere-controlled environment to extend hybrid manufacturing capabilities for reactive metals and aluminium.
The LENS 3D Metal Hybrid VMC Inert System is the first of its kind for the metal working industry. The system can maintain oxygen and moisture levels at less than 40 ppm by replacing the upper enclosure of the CNC machine with an Optomec proprietary hermitically-sealed chamber and gas purification system. The first customer shipments will commence in Q1 2017.
TCT is reporting from IMTS this week - follow our updates on @TheTCTMagazine for the latest AM news.