2018cnc2-3

50 www.CNC-West.com CNC WEST February/March 2018 Toolpath simulation provider CGTech joins forces with metal hybrid manufacturing specialist 3D-Hybrid Solutions to take additive manufacturing to the next level The manufacturing world is embracing 3D metal printing in a big way. GE Aviation is using it to print fuel nozzles, saving aircraft owners millions in operation costs annually per plane. Medical device companies use it to print patient-specific orthopedic implants and life-saving surgical instruments. These are just a few examples of the gigantic strides metal printing has made over the past de- cade, with countless more to come as the technology be- comes increasingly main stream. There’s only one problem though: despite its awesome capabilities, metal 3D printing requires secondary process- ing—machining or grinding—to remove any support struc- tures used during the build process, and oftentimes needs additional machining to achieve the desired part accuracy and surface finish. Addressing a need 3D-Hybrid Solutions Inc. knows this. As its name implies, the company leverages a hybrid approach to 3D printing. By integrating metal printing technology with a Advancing Additive Story provided by CGTech CNC machine tool, it’s possible to apply powdered metal or wire feedstock at rates of up to 20 lbs. per hour (in some applications), then machine the part to precise dimensions on the same machine. According to the company, there’s no need for secondary fixtures because internal holes and channels can be machined before being “closed up” during printing, part accuracy is improved, and processing times are substantially faster than with conventional 3D printers. “Aside from the relatively slow build speeds, that’s the biggest drawback with 3D printed metal,” says 3D-Hybrid Solutions’ Karl Hranka. “Secondary machining of some sort is almost always needed, and on larger workpieces such as molds and aerospace components, this can mean a lot of unnecessary production expense and lead-time. In most cases it makes good sense to do this machining while you’re actually building the part in order to machine hard- to-reach features. By consolidating the two technologies, you can achieve broader capability and greatly reduce total capital investment costs and operating costs. Partners in printing The risks in moving a five-axis deposition head around