Periodic Reporting for period 2 - LASIMM (Large Additive Subtractive Integrated Modular Machine)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2018-04-01 al 2019-09-30
On the Subtractive Manufacturing and to ensure that the surface finish and accuracy needed for an engineering component is obtained, a parallel kinematic motion (PKM) robot was employed for the subtractive step. The flexibility of the PKM robot was also critical to ensure that the challenging process of machining an Additive Manufactured part was achievable. This robot also demonstrated capabilities that allowed its use in the application of cold work by rolling between passes. An important step to ensure that material properties can outperform those of a forged material.
Another key part of this project was the development of the ICT infrastructure and toolboxes required to programme and run the machine. The implementation of parallel manufacturing was extremely challenging from a software perspective, required a strong focus within the project and is one of the major outcomes of the project.
The LASIMM project also evaluated additional features, such as cold-work, in-line inspection, such as non-destructive testing (NDT), in-situ alloying, Titanium alloy deposition, high deposition rate processes and multi-material capability that can be added into the machine emphasizing once again the machine modular capability. This possibility gives the machine a unique and innovative solution, non-existent so far on hybrid platforms currently available on the market, that is closely aligned with costumers’ needs.
Where does LASIMM goes from here?
The next step of LASIMM is to become market ready. For this it is estimated that in one-year time a complete modular hybrid cell will be ready for commercial distribution. This will allow companies wanting to move from conventional manufacturing to Hybrid manufacturing to have a solution in the market, for large parts, that is suitable to each individual company requirements. Being by having more robots depositing, to increase the deposition rate, or by having all the necessary modules to deposit Titanium, in order to manufacture Titanium parts, we are sure that there is a LASIMM machine for any industrial application where a modular Hybrid machine is the right solution.