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LASIMM: Europe's Giant Leap in Hybrid Manufacturing
The LASIMM project, which stands for Large Additive Subtractive Integrated Modular Machine, is finally ready for action. This initiative, often described as Europe’s moonshot for hybrid manufacturing, brings together a diverse team of experts from across the globe, including roboticists, software developers, and machine engineers. Together, they’ve developed one of the world’s largest hybrid manufacturing machines, housed at Loxin’s facilities in Pamplona, Spain.
LASIMM is nothing short of revolutionary. With its ability to both 3D print and machine large metal parts, it can produce structures as big as 6 meters by 2 meters in diameter and weighing up to 2000 kilograms. This marks a significant shift from traditional manufacturing methods, which have typically been limited to smaller components. The machine’s potential extends to a wide range of industries, including aerospace, renewable energy, transportation, and construction.
Funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 program, the LASIMM project involves ten partners from six different countries. Among them are heavyweights like Autodesk, alongside universities, research institutes, and industry leaders. Their collaboration is built on a scalable open architecture framework, allowing for full parallel manufacturing. This means the machine can handle multiple processes simultaneously, drastically reducing production time and costs.
One of the standout features of LASIMM is its modular configuration. It combines industrial robot arms with specialized milling robots. While one arm focuses on additive manufacturing—printing metal parts from aluminum and steel—the other handles subtractive processes, removing excess material to achieve the desired finish. This dual approach opens the door for highly customized solutions in industries that traditionally rely on standardized components.
The machine will soon undergo rigorous testing, tasked with producing demonstrator parts like large cantilever beams, airplane panels, and wind turbine components. These parts have been meticulously designed by top industrial users to push LASIMM’s capabilities to their limits. The machine boasts advanced features for additive manufacturing, machining, cold-work, metrology, and inspection, ensuring it delivers the best possible results.
Autodesk, as the project’s lead software partner, is playing a pivotal role in advancing hybrid manufacturing. They’re shifting the focus from single-machine-single-process CAM systems to multi-machine-multi-process CAM systems. This allows for the creation of toolpaths during the build process, optimizing efficiency and precision. Their software is integral to integrating the various processes required for hybrid manufacturing.
Other partners, including the European Federation for Welding, Joining and Cutting, BAE Systems, and Cranfield University, bring essential expertise to the table. Despite coming from different backgrounds and cultures, the team has formed strong bonds, often unwinding together over Spanish wine and pintxos after long days working on the LASIMM.
The potential benefits of LASIMM are immense. It promises a 20% reduction in time and cost compared to current additive and subtractive processes, along with a 15% increase in productivity for high-volume additive manufacturing. Other advantages include increased flexibility, reduced inventory, and shorter supply chains. Importantly, it also contributes to the standardization and certification of new hybrid procedures.
Eurico Assunção, the LASIMM project coordinator, expressed his excitement about the project’s achievements. “This technology could transform industrial manufacturing and construction, paving the way for entire infrastructures to be 3D printed in the future.†He added, “We’re thrilled to showcase LASIMM’s capabilities to the world and look forward to the groundbreaking developments it will support.â€
In essence, LASIMM isn’t just about building large parts; it’s about redefining what’s possible in manufacturing. By combining cutting-edge hardware and software, it’s set to revolutionize industries worldwide, making production faster, cheaper, and more flexible than ever before.