23 September 2013
Hybrid Manufacturing Technology wins prestigious award at EMO Conference in Hannover.
Hybrid Manufacturing Technology wins prestigious award at EMO Conference in Hannover.
A world’s first hybrid manufacturing technology product developed by the Manufacturing Technology Centre in collaboration with Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies Ltd, Delcam Plc and Hamuel Reichenbacher GmbH, has been exhibited at the EMO conference in Hanover and was the winner in the multi-function machine category, with the most innovative technology at the show.
A groundbreaking HSMT1000 machining centre combines laser cladding, milling and probing all in one unit, potentially saving businesses time and money, and streamlining the supply chain for more efficient production. The unique capability of the machine to deposit material by laser cladding, as well as machine and inspect in a seamless production cycle was demonstrated live at the show. The significance of this revolutionary development was recognised with an award from industry magazine MM Maschinenmarkt, the premier machine tool publication in Germany and Europe.
This machine is the result of over 5 years of research and development. It began as a collaborative research project called RECLAIM, initiated by Prof. David Wimpenny of MTC and Jason Jones of DeMontfort University and Steve Hobbs of Delcam. The project was supported by the UK Technology Strategy Board, with the objective to develop a hybrid additive and subtractive solution that could also be used for the automated repair of damaged high-value parts.
The new HYBRID system is not only capable of repairing damaged parts but can be used to manufacture new components and customisation of standard parts for low volume applications.
Ken Young, Technology Director at the MTC, believes the UK can take a leading position in the development and use of HYBRID manufacturing systems and was pleased with the positive reception at EMO:
“This award serves to recognise the innovation involved in developing this machine. This is true invention with commercial benefits and offers industry something that has never been done before.”