Machining centers, in their various configurations of horizontal, vertical, and universal, continue to hold their preeminent positions in shops for their ability to create value-added benefits to individual workpieces or parts in serial production. Taking multifunctionality to another level, DMG MORI has merged tool-changeable additive manufacturing onto standard-offering subtractive five-axis milling platforms. The first concept study multifunction machine is called LASERTEC 65 Additive Manufacturing. This hybrid machine incorporates generative laser deposition sintering on a five-axis milling machine, enabling complex metal geometries and workpieces to be produced with combined laser deposition sintering and five-axis milling. MC Machinery Systems is introducing the new LUMEX Avance-25 metal laser sintering hybrid milling machine to North America. The LUMEX Avance-25 metal laser sintering hybrid milling machine relies on one-machine, one-process manufacturing of complex molds and parts by fusing metal laser sintering (3D SLS) technology with high-speed milling technology.
