Optomec receives order for controlled-atmosphere hybrid 3-D printer

Albuquerque, N.M.-based Optomec, a global supplier of production-grade additive manufacturing systems for 3-D printed metals, has announced that the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) has ordered a Lens 3-D metal hybrid controlled-atmosphere system. The powder-fed, directed energy deposition machine combines a CNC vertical mill from Fryer Machine Systems with Lens print engine technology to enable metal additive and subtractive metalworking.

The university will use the system to advance research in key areas such as heavy machinery, medical devices, and aeronautics. It required a machine that could perform both additive and subtractive processes, but also operate in an enclosed environment so that oxygen can be purged from the system to allow for the printing of metals such as titanium and aluminum.