The UK’s Cybaman Technologies have launched its new Laser Metal Deposition system, based on the company’s Cybaman Digital Manufacturing Platform. The company’s 6 & 5 Axis axis machine, originally designed as a high precision subtractive machining system, now has the capability to operate as an Additive Manufacturing system using laser direct metal deposition or as a hybrid additive and subtractive machining system with the high speed milling spindle.

The Cybaman digital manufacturing system, with its patented work-piece manipulation concept, is stated as the ideal platform for laser direct metal deposition as it enables the deposition process to remain in sympathy with gravity at all times, eliminating the need for building supports even on components which require constant changes in orientation. The Cybaman concept uses a wide range of readily available standard metal powders to achieve volume deposition from its innovative nozzle system.

This additive technique, employing layer-by-layer laser fused metal deposition, enables the Cybaman system to produce components directly from a computer model with functional properties that have been shown to be largely equivalent to conventionally produced wrought and cast alloys. Build materials currently include steels, steel alloys and titanium, and the concept has the capability to operate with a much larger range of materials, making the system ideally suited to a wide range of applications across multiple manufacturing sectors.

Unique features of the Cybaman design include the ability to achieve high volume deposition with multiple powders at the same type or mix different metals during the process to allow the deposition of alloys. Precision control over the individual powder feed units guarantee repeatable results in terms of deposition rate, volume and material mix, in the case of alloys. Power for the deposition process comes in the form of a 400W SPI water cooled fibre laser, with options available for higher power lasers if required.