News and Insights of 3D Printing and Manufacturing
Meltio, a laser metal deposition technology manufacturer, welcomed the ESPRIT TNG hybrid manufacturing CAM software to its technology ecosystem, offering machine shops a single interface for preparing and programming high-quality hybrid machining and Direct Energy Deposition (DED) part production.
At Formnext 2019 many were in awe seeing the very large LASERTEC 125 DED hybrid system from DMG Mori. This year there was no physical formnext but if DMG Mori could have shown its newest 3D printer it would have dwarfed it. The LASERTEC 6600 DED hybrid system is a behemoth with up to 1,040 mm on the X-axis, -280 mm to +330 mm on the Y-axis, 3,890 mm on the Z-axis. Yes you read correctly: that’s 4 meters (a bit more than 12 feet) on the Z axis.
The brief for the McLaren Artura was even more challenging than its predecessors: to create a series-production High-Performance Hybrid supercar that excels on every level, with performance, engagement and efficiency sharing equal top-billing. The engineering and design team approached the challenge holistically – no single part of the process was undertaken in isolation – with ambitious targets set in every area: weight; performance; driver engagement; efficiency; agility; refinement; quality and usability. Of course, 3D printing had to play a part. McLaren confirmed the use of 3D printed cores in the engine production process, however, 3dpbm suspects other parts of the chassis and powertrain were directly printed as well.