The LENS 3D Metal Hybrid VMC (Vertical Milling Center) Inert System is an industry first providing an atmosphere controlled environment to extend hybrid manufacturing capabilities for reactive metals and aluminum. By replacing the upper enclosure with an Optomec proprietary hermitically sealed chamber and gas purification system, oxygen and moisture levels can be maintained at less than 40 ppm enabling high quality processing of metals such as Titanium.
This system combine additive and subtractive operations on the same machine at a fraction of the cost of alternative solutions. Built on a solid cast iron CNC platform, the system features high precision ball screws, spindle, 8 tool ATC and advanced Siemens controls, seamlessly integrated with LENS Print Engine technology.
Capabilities
- Hybrid additive manufacturing system
- Hybrid implies additive and subtractive (i.e. machining) capabilities
- Prints metal followed by high RPM machining to provide smooth surface finishes
- Inert atmosphere (oxygen free + inert gas)
- Nitrogen or argon enriched atmosphere
- Layer thickness 50 μm to 750 µm
- Build size: 356 x 356 x 508 mm (14 x 14 x 20 in)
- Advanced surface treatment and sensing capabilities
- 1000 Watt Yb fiber Laser
- 30,000 RPM spindle speed
- 4th axis rotary table
Materials
| Titanium CP Ti, Ti 6-4, Ti 6-2-4-2, Ti 6-2-4-6*, Ti 48-2-2*, Ti 22AI-23Nb* |
Nickel IN625, IN718, IN690*, Hastelloy X*, Waspalloy, MarM247*, Rene 142* |
Tool Steel H13, S7, A-2* |
| Stainless Steel 13-18, 17-4, 304, 316, 410, 420, 15-5PH*, AM355*, 309*, 416* |
Refractories W*, Mo*, N* |
Composites TiC*, WC, CrC* |
| Cobalt Stellite 21 |
Aluminum 4047 |
Copper GRCop-84*, Cu-Ni* |
* Materials used in R&D
Gradient and Blended Material Compositions (A, AB, B)
Directed Energy Deposition (DED)
- Metal powder sprays out of a nozzle at high speeds and is deposited on a target while a laser simultaneously melts the powder.
