May 4, 2016 | By Tess

Japanese company, ENOMOTO Kogyo, has developed what is reported to be Japan’s first 5-axis hybrid 3D printer, capable of not only 3D printing objects in many directions, but also CNC milling them for a smooth finish. The hybrid 3D printer, which is demonstrated in a video released by the company, works with plastic filaments and has a projected release date for 2017.

The 5-axis hybrid 3D printer was developed through a 3D printing research group that includes teams from ENOMOTO, the Schizuoka University of Art and Culture, as well C&G Systems, a leading CNC milling and machining manufacturer. According to the video, the machine is a hybrid 3D printer and CNC milling machine, which for those acquainted with 3D printing technologies, is nothing to write home about, as 3D printers equipped with milling technologies already exist, and plastic can be smoothed relatively easily through a number of different techniques.

What makes this particular hybrid 3D printer interesting, and what could set it apart from other hybrid printers is its reported ability to print in many directions. That is, because of its 5-axis system, the 3D printer is capable of printing beyond the standard X, Y, and Z axes, allowing for more dynamic 3D printing. Of course, the 3D printer is also capable of regular planar lamination, but this latter process, which is used by most if not all 3D printers, often requires supports. With 5-axis lamination, supports would not be required, effectively cutting back on material costs.

As Kawamura Takehiro, chief director of ENOMOTO’s development department explains, “Conventional 3D printers are primarily planar lamination printers, but this machine is not only capable of planar lamination, but also 5-axis lamination. Ordinarily, undercutting can’t be performed with 3-axis control type NC, but with 5 axes, tilt and rotation functions are added. In other words, control is implemented for the X, Y, Z, tilt, and rotation axes, and as a result, we’re able to print very complex shapes.”

Not only would support materials be unnecessary for most designs because of the printer’s ability to turn and rotate, but in theory objects could be designed to be structurally stronger thanks to the 3D printer’s 5-axis system. With the printhead attached to the CNC mill’s 5-axis motion control system, one could feasibly rotate the printed object to reinforce and add printed layers onto the weakest points of the planar design for optimal strength.

Of course, the technology appears to still be in development, as the video presented by ENOMOTO doesn’t actually show the 5-axis 3D printer in action—rather it depicts planar 3D printing and 5-axis milling. With an expected release in 2017, the Tokyo based company does still have time to work through the printer’s functions as well as on developing a 5-axis software.

According to Kawamura Takehiro, the company is hoping to find applications for its hybrid 3D printer within a professional R&D context, and is ultimately hoping to work with a small number of specialized companies for precise uses of it. These could include such applications as prototyping prosthetics or other medical uses, and in the aerospace industry.

 

 

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John Pickens wrote at 5/7/2016 6:15:55 AM:

I see no evidence in the video of the machine performing filament extrusion in 5 axes. All prints shown have a horizontal layer pattern. Even the 5 axis CNC cutting head, while moving in 5 axes, is tracing a cut along the original horizontal layers. Neither the CNC nor extruder is shown varying from conventional layering. I'd like to see video of a piece which starts out horizontal, then is tilted to actually eliminate the gravity effect of overhanging parts. But is isn't shown here.

Stephen wrote at 5/5/2016 9:01:56 AM:

Too much money just to avoid supports



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