Nidec Machine Tool’s LAMDA5000 Enables Very Large-Scale DED Metal Additive Manufacturing

The Nidec LAMDA5000 has a working area of 5 × 2.5 × 1.6 m. Source: Nidec Machine Tool Corp.

Nidec Machine Tool Corp.’s LAMDA5000 is its most expansive directed energy deposition (DED) additive manufacturing (AM) machine to date. The very large system has a build envelope measuring 5,000 × 2,500 × 1,600 mm, enabling manufacturers to create supersized metal components which were previously inconceivable with DED technology.

“The LAMDA5000 shatters the physical limitations of DED additive manufacturing,” says Hiroyuki Tauchi, Nidec’s LAMDA lead engineer. “This groundbreaking system opens doors for entirely new applications, allowing us to produce massive, complex metal structures on demand.”

The printer’s key features include a very large build envelope. With a working area of 5 × 2.5 × 1.6 m, the LAMDA5000 is able to exceed the constraints of traditional DED machines, enabling the creation of very large and complex parts for industries such as shipbuilding, aerospace, oil and gas, automotive tooling and more.

The system is designed to offer superior Speed and Precision. Building upon the proven technology of the LAMDA series, the LAMDA5000 is said to deliver exceptional production rates while maintaining a high dimensional accuracy. In spite of system’s large size, wall thicknesses of less than 1 mm are achievable in, for example, Inconel (and other materials) in normal operation.

It also offers advanced process control. Nidec’s proprietary DED technology, including real-time melt pool monitoring and high-speed feedback, ensures consistent material properties and unmatched quality throughout the entire build. The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning for anomaly detection further protects against defects.

With this system, an inert gas chamber is not required. The LAMDA5000’s nozzle design with local shielding eliminates the need for a costly environmental chamber, simplifying operation and reducing overall production costs.

This DED machine works with multiple materials. The use of a second optional powder feeder enables both gradient and multiple material builds.

“The LAMDA5000 signifies a significant leap forward in DED additive manufacturing,” Tauchi says. “We are confident that this machine will empower manufacturers to push the boundaries of design and production, paving the way for a new era of large-scale metal fabrication.”