Additive manufacturing and robotics combine for freedom

While additive manufacturing has many advantages, such as its ability to build complex geometries, it is still a limited technique in several ways. A striking example is that it is an ‘in the box’ process: components are built inside dedicated machines that are sealed away from the outside environment.

However, a trend is developing that frees additive manufacturing from its confines by integrating it with robotics. Could this be the future for the sector?

Robotic additive manufacturing has existed for some time, according to Phil Reeves, vice-president for strategic consulting at additive specialist Stratasys.

Two factors are driving its current development: a need to build larger components than are possible with conventional enclosed additive devices, and a desire to integrate additive manufacturing with other conventional automated production systems, such as machining.

“Robots have been part of integrated production for many years, whereas, if you think about 3D printers – especially open architecture, by which I mean devices you can plug into a SCADA system on a production line – they are still in their infancy,” Reeves said. “There’s also the fact that additive manufacturing often requires some post-processing, whether that is some machining to pick up physical data points, post-process inspection, surface finishing, sanding or painting. And in fact all these processes are done by robots in industry. So integrating your additive machines with a robot means you can develop a whole production architecture around robotics.”