Hybrid Manufacturing’s submission is a hybrid kit innovation that can be integrated into any CNC machine to allow for metal deposition (via laser cladding), finishing and inspection of parts on a single machine. The hybrid methodology integrates directed energy deposition into multiaxis CNC machine, using a tool changer to change between processes.
“Hybrid technology is exciting because it offers a new way to adopt additive manufacturing – as an upgrade to a CNC machine tool. Adding tool-changeable deposition heads to an existing CNC machine enables 3D printing of metal, without the need to buy a separate machine,” said Dr. Jason Jones, Co-Founder and CEO of Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies. “This significantly reduces costs and provides an intuitive adoption path for CNC operators. The combination of additive with machining offers new capabilities, including in-process finishing, that cannot be delivered by either technology independently.”
“As a team, we are very excited to win the inaugural IAMA,” Jones said. “We are grateful for the exposure it brings to hybrid processing generally, and specifically to the seven years of foundational innovations that we have led in this area. We express our thanks to all those who contributed to the award.”
The IAMA is the result of a partnership between AMT-The Association For Manufacturing Technology and VDW-Verein Deutscher Werkzeugmaschinenfabriken (German Machine Tool Builders’ Association). AMT and VDW, with media support from Gardner Business Media and VDI Nachrichten and sponsored by the European Machine Tool Association CECIMO, announced the annual IAMA at IMTS-The International Manufacturing Technology Show 2014.
“It was incredibly exciting to see so many dynamic innovations presented from around the world for this award. It speaks highly to the evolution of additive technologies and the realization of radical productivity improvement for manufacturing,” said Douglas K. Woods, AMT President. “The winning submission from Hybrid Manufacturing is a perfect nod to where we foresee the industry’s future: an integration of ‘subtractive’ CNC machining with the evolving capabilities of additive. It’s a perfect combination of existing technologies made better through new and leading-edge innovation.”
“Additive manufacturing has the potential to revolutionize large portions of the production process. What began with the production of prototypes has become an autonomous technology that opens up entirely new options for producing complex parts, and it is increasingly combined with traditional processes,” said Dr. Wilfried Schäfer, VDW Executive Director. “The IAMA celebrates the pioneers and high-achievers in the additive field and helps foster a creative dialogue and build a solid international network.”
The IAMA jury included international leaders from industry, academia, military, media and trade associations. It considered innovations from the United States and European Union from varied leaders in the additive field including: Advantech US Inc.; ARBURG; Czech Technical University in Prague; EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems; Fraunhofer IFAM Bremen; Impossible Objects LLC; Local Motors; MAPAL; MC Machinery Systems Inc.; SAUER GmbH LASERTEC; Swiss Automation; Sodick Inc.; Tri-D Dynamics; and the University of ErlangenNuremberg.
Along with the award, Hybrid Manufacturing Ltd. will also receive a $20,000 USD cash prize and a media package valued at $80,000 USD to promote their winning hybrid kit innovation.
In February 2016, the second award trophy will be presented at METAV, the International Exhibition for Metalworking Technologies, in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Source: Additive Award