by Industrial Print Magazine Staff
Sometimes customers become partners. This was the case at the beginning of the year when Meltio and One Off Robotics joined forces.
Meltio, based in Linares, Spain, takes metal additive manufacturing (AM) to the next level by developing high-performance, affordable, and easy-to-use metal 3D printing solutions using wire-laser metal deposition (W-LMD) technology. The current portfolio of metal solutions includes the Meltio M450 metal 3D printer; the Meltio Engine Integration, a 3D printing module that turns almost any CNC, robotic arm, or gantry system into a hybrid manufacturing center; and the Meltio Robot Cell, a turnkey robotic solution.
In February 2024, Meltio announced a collaboration with One Off Robotics. The company specializes in crafting advanced robotic fabrication systems for additive, subtractive, and hybrid manufacturing processes. Together Meltio and One Off Robotics introduced the One Off Robotics Cell, a turnkey metal AM workcell designed for a faster, more efficient, and reliable part production cycle.
Simplifying the Process
The One Off Robotics Cell is a robotic metal additive system powered by Meltio’s W-LMD technology. It produces cost-effective, finely printed metal parts for applications in industries including automotive, aerospace, mining, oil, and gas. A deposition rate of up to 1 kg an hour means the system excels at creating clean parts that are fully dense and mechanically equivalent or superior to those created from traditional means. An eight-axis system, it simplifies complex geometry printing and is configured to work with the Meltio Space robotic slicer, as well as other robotic additive software.
“Meltio’s main commitment with this new product offering is to offer all types of industries the ability to manage the entire manufacturing process using our metal 3D printing technology consisting of a Meltio head integrated into a robotic arm and a safe environment, to just produce parts. This new hardware system allows the customer to receive a ready-to-use cell for robotic metal 3D printing, removing the integration process and long assembly lead times,” explains Alejandro Nieto, engine product manager, Meltio.
The One Off Robotics Cell utilizes standard welding wire and produces parts that are consistent, spatter-free, and clean. The robot and positioner are installed on a self-supporting platform inside a custom, laser-safe enclosure, which ensures safe operation and quick installation. The system package includes the robot, W-LMD system, two-axis positioner, Meltio machine vision laser alignment tool, welding camera, and safety enclosure. Package add-ons are available for the thermal SWIR camera, multi-material dual wire printing, and hot wire printing for increased speed. Meltio and One Off Robotics also provide system training and instructional materials upon delivery to ensure unparalleled technical support for end users in any industry.
“One Off Robotics spent years designing and building large format robotic AM work cells. We’re thrilled to expand our offerings to include a turnkey Meltio Robotic additive system. Our focus is customer success, so we designed this system from the ground up to be quickly installed and easily operated,” shares Nick Johnson, CEO, One Off Robotics
Incorporate AM
The One Off Robotics Cell is an evolution of Meltio’s standard Engine Robot Integration and is also certified to operate with KUKA and ABB robotic arms. The new system serves as an advanced, yet user-friendly system designed to empower industries across the world to incorporate Meltio’s metal AM technology.
Apr2024, Industrial Print Magazine
