At Formnext 2023, ADDiTEC made its debut showcasing its Liquid Metal Jetting technology following the acquisition of Elem Additive from Xerox earlier in the year. The company’s new Hybrid 3 system was also launched at the show, featuring Laser Directed Energy Deposition (LDED) and Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining.
During a visit to the ADDiTEC booth, TCT examined the technology more closely. Sriram Manoharan, R&D Program Manager at ADDiTEC, explained that Liquid Metal Jetting involves welding wire into a crucible with an induction heating mechanism to melt the wire. Electromagnetic forces then generate a pulse, which produces droplets. This process provides high-resolution parts. He also discussed the benefits of LDED technology, which offers high deposition rates.
Manoharan highlighted that combining these two technologies offers several advantages. Firstly, it provides a geometric advantage by allowing for high-deposition infills with LDED and high-resolution perimeters with liquid metal jetting. Additionally, CNC operations can be used for surface finishing.
