This new dynamic technology combines the additive metal laser sintering process to grow a component from powder with the ability to utilise high speed machining to finish machine the whole or sections of the part to an immaculate surface finish and extremely high accuracy - in one machine.

Configured with a 400w Yb fibre laser, Matsuura 45,000rpm spindle & Touch Screen NC operation & functionality, many of the key technological advances & unique components for the LUMEX Avance-25 were developed in house at Matsuura Japan.

By changing the laser focus and power, varying densities of material including porous structures can be produced.

The LUMEX Avance-25 makes it possible to produce components that prior to this hybrid technology were simply impossible to create.

Benefits to user:

• Accuracies of ±2.5µm achievable with full component accuracies of ±25µm due to growing the part while finish machining in one setup.
• Internal features of the component can be finish machined and then sealed within the part leaving no external access. These parts could not be manufactured using the conventional methodology of production.
• On plastic injection moulds 3D water channels can be produced with finish internal surfaces.
• No wasted material.
• The ability to rapid prototype an accurate and completely machined development part in one set up, in an unattended process.
• 60% reduction in 3D mould making lead times
• 50% reduction in mould production costs
• No EDM required on deep narrow slots due the walls of these slots being machined while the part grows.
• New components can now be designed that were not conceivable before, now that the additive process can be combined with machining. (Aerospace, F1 etc.) Lumex Avance-25 machines are currently available for viewing at Matsuura Europe Group facility in Germany.

Fore more information please visit Matsuura Machinery Ltd at www.matsuura.co.uk.