Hybrid Manufacturing = Subtractive + Additive Manufacturing
"Hybrid Manufacturing" is an industry recognized term for combining both Additive Manufacturing and Subtractive Manufacturing processes.
Relevant Definitions from ASTM F2792 − 12a :
...But why combine the two?
After review of metal 3D printing technologies, one will learn that there are two main types of metal 3d printing, powder bed fusion (PBF) and directed energy deposition (DED).
When considering printing a part using either method it becomes abundantly clear that both are plagued by poor surface finish quality and require post machining. Therefore, CNC expense is inherent. DED technologies, ignore the goal of surface finish and precision, instead focus on speed and material quality. The CNC process provides the precision required. And DED lends itself quite easily as a tool to CNC machine through 3D-Hybrid. This is consolidation is Hybrid Manufacturing.
Hybrid Manufacturing History
Hybrid Manufacturing made its first commercial appearances in the early 2000’s via Laser-Powder Deposition in a CNC Machine. Some cases used a robot in a separate cell of the CNC machine with a pallet pool change mechanism. Hybrid Manufacturing didn’t quite catch on at that time. Lasers were still large capital expenditures and were typically produced for small spot sizes (i.e. cutting and engraving applications). With the onset of the metal 3D Printing or Additive Manufacturing growth in the 2010’s hybrid manufacturing made a resurgence. At this time the cost of Lasers had dropped to around $100,000 for a couple kilowatts, making it possible to couple with a large CNC machine tool purchase. Also at this time the metal powder bed machines were being delivered for $800,000 to $1,500,000 making Hybrid manufacturing an ideal alternative, especially for larger parts.
Hybrid Manufacturing is now a common, industry recognized term for combined additive and subtractive manufacturing. Since 2013, the number of machine tool builders offering hybrid manufactring machines has gone from zero to double digits. 3D-Hybrid is the only hybrid manufacturing tool integrator offering multiple metal deposition technologies for virtually any CNC machine.
Relevant Definitions from ASTM F2792 − 12a :
- additive manufacturing (AM), n--a process of joining materials to make objects from 3D model data, usually layer upon layer, as opposed to subtractive manufacturing methodologies. Synonyms: additive fabrication, additive processes, additive techniques, additive layer manufacturing, layer manufacturing, and freeform fabrication.
- subtractive manufacturing, n--making objects by removing of material (for example, milling, drilling, grinding, carving, etc.) from a bulk solid to leave a desired shape, as opposed to additive manufacturing.
- directed energy deposition, n--an additive manufacturing process in which focused thermal energy is used to fuse materials by melting as they are being deposited.
...But why combine the two?
After review of metal 3D printing technologies, one will learn that there are two main types of metal 3d printing, powder bed fusion (PBF) and directed energy deposition (DED).
When considering printing a part using either method it becomes abundantly clear that both are plagued by poor surface finish quality and require post machining. Therefore, CNC expense is inherent. DED technologies, ignore the goal of surface finish and precision, instead focus on speed and material quality. The CNC process provides the precision required. And DED lends itself quite easily as a tool to CNC machine through 3D-Hybrid. This is consolidation is Hybrid Manufacturing.
Hybrid Manufacturing History
Hybrid Manufacturing made its first commercial appearances in the early 2000’s via Laser-Powder Deposition in a CNC Machine. Some cases used a robot in a separate cell of the CNC machine with a pallet pool change mechanism. Hybrid Manufacturing didn’t quite catch on at that time. Lasers were still large capital expenditures and were typically produced for small spot sizes (i.e. cutting and engraving applications). With the onset of the metal 3D Printing or Additive Manufacturing growth in the 2010’s hybrid manufacturing made a resurgence. At this time the cost of Lasers had dropped to around $100,000 for a couple kilowatts, making it possible to couple with a large CNC machine tool purchase. Also at this time the metal powder bed machines were being delivered for $800,000 to $1,500,000 making Hybrid manufacturing an ideal alternative, especially for larger parts.
Hybrid Manufacturing is now a common, industry recognized term for combined additive and subtractive manufacturing. Since 2013, the number of machine tool builders offering hybrid manufactring machines has gone from zero to double digits. 3D-Hybrid is the only hybrid manufacturing tool integrator offering multiple metal deposition technologies for virtually any CNC machine.