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Posts Tagged ‘Additive Manufacturing’

Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies: Bridging the Gap Between Additive and Subtractive Manufacturing

Monday, October 14th, 2024

At the bustling IMTS 2024 in Chicago, a city that has long symbolized American industrial prowess, Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies Global (HMT) is making waves. Led by co-founder and CEO Jason Jones, the company has pioneered a novel approach to manufacturing that seamlessly integrates additive and subtractive processes. The goal? To push the boundaries of efficiency and scalability in manufacturing while addressing critical gaps in both 3D printing and traditional methods.

“We live at the interface between 3D printing and mainstream manufacturing,” Jones explained during our interview. The “hybrid” in their name is no mere buzzword—it reflects a revolutionary combination of technologies. Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies Global (HMT) focuses on blending additive manufacturing, particularly metal deposition and polymer extrusion, with conventional subtractive techniques like CNC machining. As Jones quipped, “We’re like an athlete that can do more than one sport.”

The company’s approach leverages existing machine platforms from your traditional CNC to gantries and robots, equipping them with deposition heads that allow for both 3D printing and traditional machining within the same system. This unique integration helps streamline production processes and opens up opportunities for industries ranging from power generation and oil and gas to the highly demanding mold manufacturing sector. “We can make things out of more than one material, giving customers the best of both worlds—like using bronze to wick away heat and adding a hard-facing material for durability,” Jones elaborated.

Driving Innovation with Practicality

HMT’s cutting-edge innovations aren’t just theoretical. At IMTS 2024, the company introduced its new Flex 22 head, a tool designed to print inside hard-to-reach areas. According to Jones, this new head is poised to significantly improve manufacturing flexibility. “We’re excited to show the Flex 22 here at IMTS,” Jones noted, gesturing toward the equipment behind him. HMT also unveiled a high-speed laser deposition head that applies ultra-thin metal layers—a breakthrough that could compete with traditional chrome plating methods, which are becoming increasingly regulated due to environmental concerns.

In fact, sustainability is at the core of many of HMT’s innovations. The company’s extra high-speed laser deposition technology (EHLA) offers a cleaner, more efficient alternative to hexavalent chrome, which has been flagged for its human and environmental risks. “We’re offering a way to apply coatings more sustainably, which could have a real financial and environmental impact,” Jones added.

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Materialise Expands Its Reach in Traditional Manufacturing Through Strategic Partnerships at IMTS

Friday, September 13th, 2024

At this year’s International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago, Materialise, a global leader in 3D printing software and services, took the spotlight by announcing two major partnerships aimed at revolutionizing the investment casting process. These collaborations with Stratasys and Formlabs underscore Materialise’s commitment to integrating 3D printing with traditional manufacturing practices, offering innovative solutions that reduce cost and improve efficiency.

I sat down with JP Velasco, OEM Partner Manager, and Don Licht, Director of OEM Partnerships and Channel Development, to discuss Materialise’s latest initiatives and their broader implications for the manufacturing industry.

Manufacturers Can Now Quickly Produce High-Quality Master Patterns for Investment Casting Production with New 3D Printing Build Processor from Stratasys and Materialise (Photo: Business Wire)

Bridging the Gap Between Additive and Traditional Manufacturing

Materialise has been at the forefront of the 3D printing revolution since 1990, initially serving as a service bureau before evolving into a provider of advanced software solutions for additive manufacturing. According to Velasco, Materialise recognized early on that files for 3D printing often failed, prompting them to focus on developing software designed specifically for additive manufacturing.

“Our software connects every industry with every technology, ensuring that users of 3D printers can create high-quality parts,” said Velasco. This commitment to quality is what has positioned Materialise as a crucial player in the additive manufacturing ecosystem, particularly in sectors like investment casting, where the stakes are high.

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Navigating the Evolution of Additive Manufacturing: Insights from the 2024 RAPID+TCT Executive Panel

Thursday, June 27th, 2024

As the 2024 RAPID+TCT event unfolded, industry leaders gathered to discuss the current landscape and future prospects of additive manufacturing (AM). The panel, comprising Avi Reichental (Nexa3D), Fried Vancraen (Materialise), Savi Baveja (HP), Nils Niemeyer (DMG MORI), and moderated by Laura Griffiths (The TCT Group), offered a candid look at the challenges and opportunities facing this dynamic sector.

The Promise and Reality of Additive Manufacturing

The session opened with a shared sense of optimism tempered by realism. The panelists agreed that while AM has made significant strides, it remains a technology marked by both remarkable achievements and ongoing hurdles.

Avi Reichental highlighted the transformative potential of AM, especially in fields like healthcare and aerospace. He cited examples such as the deployment of additive manufacturing systems in conflict zones, showcasing the technology’s ability to provide on-demand solutions in critical situations. However, Reichental also emphasized the need for the industry to shift from selling capabilities to delivering scalable solutions.

Fried Vancraen echoed these sentiments, pointing out that while AM has revolutionized certain sectors, it has not been an overnight success. Vancraen’s experience with Materialise, a company founded in 1990, underscores the slow and steady progress required to integrate AM into mainstream manufacturing. He noted that the industry must focus on creating real value and moving beyond the initial hype.

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