3D printing is certainly resulting in innovative ways to create parts. Here are tools that could give CNC machines 3D printing capabilities.

The company 3D-Hybrid is announcing these new tools. It says the tools will simplify metal additive manufacturing (AM) as printing tools for existing CNC (metal-cutting) machines. The tools “lower the cost of metal AM, increase speed, and offer new capabilities like multi-material parts.”

The Arc tool starts at $50,000.

“Our commitment to solving complex manufacturing problems with advanced AM methods has led us to revolutionize and integrate AM technologies to any CNC machine” says Mr. Hranka, Founder of 3D-Hybrid.

Just like using different cutting tools for different metals, 3D-Hybrid offers different printing tools for different applications.

It offers directed energy methods based on Electrical, Optical, and Kinetic energy. The three technologies are emerging to be known as Wire-Arc Additive Manufacturing, Laser Metal Deposition, and Cold Spray.

Each technology offers different characteristics. The video demonstrates 3D-Hybrid’s Wire-Arc Tool, which uses dip-transfer technology and proprietary methods for hybrid manufacturing. The Arc Tool offers an economical AM approach and an effective option to alloys that are reflective to laser wavelengths. The Laser Tool enables a variety of feedstock options from wire to blending powder materials for gradient and custom alloy generation. The Cold Spray Tool is for additive manufacturing of alloys with high thermal conductivity.

3D-Hybrid
www.3dhybridsolutions.com