Video: Will AM Subtract from Machining?
Don’t underestimate machining, which has capabilities additive can’t compete with. AM will have its greatest impact on parts that are designed specifically for this process.
​Will additive manufacturing eclipse or overtake traditional manufacturing processes, particularly machining?
That was one of the questions discussed within an additive manufacturing panel discussion recently hosted by machine tool builder Mazak. I was the moderator.
Tolerances preclude additive being able to take the place of machining for parts made today, the panelists said, but the use of additive is liable to grow as engineers begin to design around the capabilities and the limitations of the technology.
This video captures the complete 5-minute segment of the discussion covering the question about machining. The participants in the panel (from viewer’s left to right in this video) were:
- Dr. Taku Yamazaki, project leader at Mazak’s engineering headquarters in Japan and a specialist in the company’s additive manufacturing technology.
- Joe Wilker, Mazak product manager with responsibility for the company’s recently introduced hybrid additive machine tool.
- Tim Shinbara, VP of manufacturing technology for AMT—The Association For Manufacturing Technology.
- Dustin Lindley, additive manufacturing lab manager at the University of Cincinnati’s Research Institute.
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