Nidec Machine Tool Corporation Unveils Advanced Five-Axis Control Machining Head to Enhance Productivity!

Nidec Machine Tool Corporation has announced the development of a new five-axis control machining head, designed to complement the company’s LAMDA series of powder Directed Energy Deposition (DED) type metal 3D printers. This innovative machining head is set to significantly improve additive fabrication of large, complex-shaped components and adjustable surfaces, marking a major advancement in precision machining technology.

The newly developed machining head overcomes the limitations of conventional five-axis modeling machines that rely on fixed heads and rotating workpieces. By integrating two rotating axes—the inclined axis (A axis) and the pivot (C axis)—directly into the head, the LAMDA series models achieve a wide range of rotational movement (A axis: -90˚ to +90˚, C axis: -180˚ to +180˚). This design allows for additive fabrication at arbitrary angles without the need to rotate the table or workpiece, even when dealing with large components that are difficult to move. The compact head and driving section enhance accessibility between the nozzle tip and the workpiece, offering high speed and responsiveness while maintaining the variable function of the laser illumination diameters. This enables the easy machining of complex shapes and adjustable surfaces.

A key feature of the new machining head is Nidec’s unique local shield nozzle. This technology converts the area surrounding the molten pool into an inert gas atmosphere during the shaping process, allowing for the fabrication of titanium, aluminum, and other oxidation-prone materials without the need for an argon chamber. Additionally, the monitoring feedback function utilizes a camera installed coaxially with the laser to monitor shaping conditions. This data is used to control laser output and other parameters, stabilizing metal melt-down and solidification, and ensuring high-quality, stable machining.

Since the release of the LAMDA200 in 2019, Nidec Machine Tool Corporation has been actively developing cutting-edge technologies in high-speed processing and precision assurance. Milestones include creating second-generation models with significantly widened shield ranges from the initial local shield nozzle, launching the LAMDA500 (a five-axis molding machine with a rotating work table), and developing the LAMDA2000, a model featuring a gantry-type, direct-action mechanism capable of handling large workpieces. Additionally, the company has integrated an AI-based lamination layer status checking function to enhance monitoring and precision.