Mazak Presents its INTEGREX i-400AM HYBRID Approach to Additive Manufacturing at RAPID
Company combines additive and subtractive processes with multi-tasking part processing
Mazak firmly established its position at the forefront of additive manufacturing with the development of HYBRID Multi-Tasking technology, which the company will present at this year’s RAPID Conference and Expo. The event takes place at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, May 16-19, and Mazak engineers will be on hand in booth 361 to discuss the features and capabilities of the company’s INTEGREX i-400AM (additive manufacturing) HYBRID Multi-Tasking Machine.
Mazak will be among the world’s foremost additive manufacturing experts speaking on groundbreaking processes, applications, materials and research in additive manufacturing at the RAPID event – now in its 26th year. The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) event attracts buyers, sellers and end-users of design, prototyping, tooling and direct digital technologies for discovery, innovation and networking.
As a fusion of additive technology and Mazak’s most advanced Multi-Tasking capabilities, the INTEGREX i-400AM significantly reduces part cycle times while providing high-efficiency DONE IN ONE® processing.
As a turnkey system, the machine offers manufacturers an innovative alternative to conventional processing in terms of part design and machining. The technology is especially well suited for small lot production of very difficult-to-cut materials such as those used in the aerospace, energy and medical industries. With the additive capability, manufacturers can easily generate/clad near-net-shape component features then quickly complete them with high-precision finish machining operations – as well as laser mark parts if needed.
In operation, the INTEGREX i-400AM melts metal powder using fiber laser heat. Cladding heads (additive manufacturing nozzles) apply the molten material layer by layer, each of which solidifies as the desired shape grows. Plus, the system can join different types of metals to one another, a capability beneficial in the efficient repair of existing worn or damaged components, such as aerospace turbine blades.
The INTEGREX i-400AM’s cladding heads store in the tool magazine, and the standard automatic tool changer loads them into the machine’s milling turret. Mazak offers two types of cladding heads – high speed or high accuracy. Users select the appropriate head based on the intended process and the particular metal powder to be used.
On the Multi-Tasking machine side, the INTEGREX i-400AM provides full 5-axis capability to easily process prismatic parts from solid billets or castings (chucked or bar fed), round parts, highly contoured parts and now those with features built using additive technology. The machine provides -30/+120 degree B-axis movement in its milling spindle, full C-axis contouring with its turning spindle and an NC tailstock that is fully programmable.
Also at the Rapid event, there will be keynote presentations from other industry experts, workshops covering new manufacturing possibilities with 3D printing, scanning and additive manufacturing. Evening networking receptions will give attendees opportunities to connect with industry experts and peers.
About Mazak Corporation
Mazak Corporation is a leader in the design and manufacture of productive machine tool solutions. Committed to being a partner to customers with innovative technology, its world-class facility in Florence, Kentucky, produces over 100 models of turning centers, Multi-Tasking machines and vertical machining centers, including 5- axis models. Continuously investing in manufacturing technology allows the Kentucky iSMART Factory to be the most advanced and efficient in the industry, providing high-quality and reliable products through its “Production-On-Demand” practice. Mazak maintains eight Technology Centers across North America to provide local hands-on applications, service and sales support to customers. For more information on Mazak’s products and solutions, visit www.mazakusa.com or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
