High-Volume AM Systems Showcased at IMTS 2022

The democratization of additive manufacturing (AM) technology has arrived for some market segments and applications. Xact Metal (IMTS booth: 433041) can offer its XM200C printer for prototyping, tooling capabilities or low-volume casting alternatives at a starting price of $65,000. Its XM200G model meets the demands of high-performance use cases and starts at $95,000, well within the reach of job shops, workforce development organizations, educational systems, and in-house tool and workholding production.

For shops that want to combine subtractive and additive processes in a single machining center, Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies (HMT), (IMTS booth: 433137), offers its Ambit technology. The company’s printheads for laser metal deposition (LMD) fit into a standard toolholder. With the Ambit Flex, a dockable tool carousel enables interchanging tools for different deposit widths or metals. The Ambit Eddy tool enables eddy-current inspection to confirm deposition quality, and the Ambit LMD mPWR tool offers melt-pool monitoring. Applications include repair, correcting machining errors and extending part life cycle by adding layers of high-performance materials such as Inconel.

High-Volume Solutions

Other AM Pavilion exhibitors help users manage affordability by increasing productivity. Spee3D (IMTS booth: 433027) developed a process called cold metal spray technology that uses compressed air to propel aluminum, aluminum bronze or copper metal powders at supersonic velocity. The kinetic energy of striking the target fuses the particles into a homogenous solid with an integrity that exceeds that of cast parts and approaches that of forged parts (integrity has been confirmed through extensive testing). The Spee3D process is 100 to 1,000 times faster than DMLS and does not require postprinting curing because there is no need for a binder.

When it comes to high-speed direct digital production of nonmetallic parts, the Figure 4 technology platform from 3D Systems (IMTS booth: 433104) enables toolless alternatives to traditional injection molding or urethane casting processes with direct digital production of precision plastic parts, as well as ultrafast, same-day rapid prototyping. The solution is scalable with modular, expandable capacity to meet present and future needs. 

Exploring the tech efforts from just a few of the 80-plus exhibitors in the AM Pavilion at IMTS 2022 shows that the industry has been focusing on solutions that address capital expenditure, productivity and order quantity issues.
Moreover, IMTS 2022 features AM technology throughout the show. Look for hybrid systems in the Metal Removal Pavilion, new tooling specifically for AM in the Tooling & Workholding Pavilion, breakthrough software in the Control/CAD-CAM Pavilion and metrology solutions for inspecting internal structures in the Quality Assurance Pavilion.

Register now for IMTS 2022, which runs Sept. 12-17 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.