In order to produce large scale engineering structures, the material needs to be deposited at a relatively high rate. To achieve such result, the deposition process selected for the LASIMM machine is based on Wire + Arc Additive Manufacture (WAAM). Another unique feature of the machine is its capability for parallel manufacturing, featuring either multiple deposition heads or concurrent addition and subtraction processes. This parallel manufacturing process was made possible by using a machine architecture based on robotics.
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.
