Mid-Size, Powder DED-Type Metal 3D Printer

Nidec Machine Tool Corporation's President Kenichi Wakabayashi announced that it has launched the LAMDA500, a mid-size model of Nidec's powder DED-type metal 3D printer series. To accommodate the diverse shapes of industrial metal components, LAMDA500's maximum additive manufacturing (AM) dimensions are 500 mm x 500 mm x 500 mm, with standard 5-axis functionality. The LAMDA 500 joins the smaller LAMDA200 and the large LAMDA2000 in the lineup.

"LAMDA500 performs stable and high-quality AM by using the specially developed local shield nozzle and the monitoring feedback system-both unique technologies of Nidec's LAMDA series," said a company spokesperson.

LAMDA500 is designed for production of metal components used in aerospace, space, automotive products and construction equipment among others. A 2-axis table is installed standard to enable fully 5-axis AM. By using a high accuracy and rigid 5-axis machining center from Nidec OKK Corporation (formerly OKK Corporation) and integrating the functions required for a metal 3D printer, Nidec developed a flexible system. In addition, a fully integrated closed loop monitoring system controls laser power for consistent build quality and thermal performance as well as providing documentation of the build quality.

Nidec developed and implemented two technologies for the LAMDA series. The local shield nozzle utilizes an inert gas shield to enable high-quality metal manufacturing without an environmental chamber, while the monitoring feedback system controls and optimizes the manufacturing conditions to enable high-accuracy, long-term and stable manufacturing. The latest iteration of the Nidec-developed coaxial nozzle, the local shield area was expanded to 45x its previous size to improve the manufacturing speed and metal quality. In addition, LAMDA machines are equipped with an AI technology-based function to monitor AM conditions. The system is capable of quickly detecting abnormalities during an AM process-detecting and preventing errors before they occur.

Using the technology to continuously spray metal powder from a nozzle, the laser melts and solidifies the powder with base materials to manufacture an intended shape. DED metal 3D printers are used for multilayer materials and components made of different materials. With the optional second hopper providing powdered metal, LAMDA systems can switch materials during a manufacturing process, producing functional gradient materials that are printed by changing the blend of materials during the manufacturing process.

For more information contact:

Nidec Machine Tool America LLC

46992 Liberty Drive

Wixom, MI 48393

248-669-6136

www.nidec.com