INTERNATIONAL NEWS

High-speed 3D printer built for continuous production

UltiMaker, a global specialist in industrial desktop 3D printing, has launched the Factor 4 Plus, an industrial-grade platform that delivers up to twice the speed of the standard Factor 4 while maintaining the reliability and quality required for continuous production. Designed for manufacturing and defence applications, the system supports the production of jigs, fixtures, spare parts and end-use components using high-performance materials, including PPS-CF composites that offer excellent heat and chemical resistance.

A key feature is UltiMaker TRACE (Technical Reporting And Certification Engine), which automatically validates every print by recording critical process data and generating certification reports. This gives manufacturers the traceability and quality assurance needed to deploy additive manufacturing in production environments with confidence.

“When I talk directly with customers, one message comes through consistently: speed is important, but proving part quality is the real challenge,” says Arjen Dirks, CTO at UltiMaker. “TRACE provides the validation and traceability needed to scale additive manufacturing into true production.”

The Factor 4 Plus has also been adapted for defence applications, with a ruggedised gantry system designed to maintain accuracy and reliability in harsh or remote environments. Combined with its straightforward set up and minimal training requirements, the platform is well suited to field deployment and rapid production of mission-critical parts.

Performance improvements are driven by UltiMaker’s Cheetah motion planner and compatibility with new AA+ and CC+ high-flow print cores. Together, these technologies enable faster printing while maintaining dimensional accuracy across materials including PLA, ABS and PPS-CF.

“The Factor 4 Plus is focused on solving real production challenges,” adds Andy Middleton, SVP EMEA and global marketing. “It delivers the speed, traceability, resilience and affordability customers need to scale additive manufacturing in demanding environments.”

More information www.ultimaker.com

New production centre for AM and subtractive machining

Offering laser deposition welding (DED), machining and inspection in a single set up, DMG Mori says its new LaserTec 65 DED hybrid 2 provides a cost-effective solution for producing complex components, repairing worn parts and applying highly durable surface coatings.

Combining additive and subtractive manufacturing in one platform, the machine integrates milling, drilling, turning, grinding, laser pre-heating, powder-based additive manufacturing and 3D scanning. The result is improved process integration, higher productivity and greater process stability, helping to bring additive manufacturing into series production environments.

A key development is DMG Mori’s latest MultiJet nozzle, which enables five-axis material deposition with consistent powder distribution regardless of orientation. The innovation increases build rates by 35% compared with the previous generation, while a 170% larger build volume accommodates workpieces up to 840 mm in diameter and 350 mm high.

In addition to infrared laser technology, the machine can be equipped with a blue laser source, expanding processing capability to reflective materials such as copper. This enables graded material transitions and the production of highly functional components. For example, copper can be selectively deposited to enhance cooling performance in injection moulding and die-casting tools, while hard-facing materials above 60 HRc can be applied without subsequent heat treatment.

Comprehensive process monitoring is provided through cameras and sensors that track temperature, powder flow, melt pool behaviour and nozzle positioning. AM Evaluator software creates a time-sequenced digital twin, mapping process data directly onto a 3D model of the component.

Built around DMG Mori’s rigid monoBLOCK platform, the machine delivers positioning accuracy of 4 microns. Wide access doors simplify loading, unloading and future automation integration, supporting efficient operation in demanding manufacturing environments.

More information www.dmgmori.com

NUM drives efficiency and flexibility in tool grinding

At the recent GrindingHub 2026 exhibition in Stuttgart, NUM showcased new developments in its NUMROTO tool grinding software, including advanced feed-rate optimisation capabilities and the launch of the next-generation NUMROTO X platform.

The latest enhancements to NUMROTO are designed to help tool manufacturers improve productivity, flexibility and process reliability. A key innovation is the new feed-rate optimisation feature within NUMROTOplus, which automatically adjusts machining feed rates based on the calculated material removal volume generated through 3D simulation.

The technology is particularly beneficial for applications involving variable material removal, including grooving, tapered tools, multi-spiral cutters and step drills. By dynamically adapting feed rates to actual grinding conditions, manufacturers can reduce cycle times without compromising quality or tool life.

According to NUM, the new functionality has already demonstrated significant productivity gains in real-world applications. Grinding times for a multi-flute milling cutter were reduced by 14%, while the production of a stepped tool with insert seats delivered time savings of 29%.

NUM also unveiled NUMROTO X, a completely redeveloped software platform designed to provide greater flexibility and future-proof functionality for digital tool manufacturing. Built on a modular architecture, the new software introduces enhanced movement strategies between grinding operations to minimise idle time and improve axis efficiency.

Additional capabilities include a significantly expanded range of configurable geometric elements for complex tool designs such as barrel and circular segment cutters.

NUMROTO X is available in modules, including ‘Infrastructure’ and ‘Milling Cutter’, each offered in basic, advanced and professional tiers. This structuring allows manufacturers to tailor the software to specific production and tool design requirements while benefiting from a modern, scalable licensing structure.

More information www.num.com

FANUC speeds physical AI with Google collaborat

FANUC has enhanced its ‘Physical AI Robot System’ through a strategic collaboration with Google as a function of its initiative to accelerate automation by advancing open platforms and physical AI capabilities. As part of the collaboration, FANUC has developed a physical AI system for industrial robots that incorporates the latest innovations from Google Cloud, including Gemini Enterprise. Since the release of FANUC’s Physical AI Robot System at the International Robot exhibition in December, customer interest has grown rapidly, with over 1000 FANUC robots for physical AI-related applications already shipped.

More information www.fanuc.com

Ecoclean unveils Lab-on-a-Chip and AI-based Smart Drying

Increasing demands for component cleanliness, process reliability and energy efficiency are driving the need for smarter industrial cleaning technologies. Responding to these challenges, Ecoclean GmbH has introduced two new developments designed to optimise cleaning quality while reducing energy, resource consumption and operating costs.

The company’s new Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC) system enables automated analysis and monitoring of cleaning and rinsing baths using multiple measurement methods within a single platform. Suitable for both multi-bath immersion and chamber cleaning systems, the technology automatically analyses cleaner concentration and bath contamination, helping manufacturers maintain consistent process quality while minimising unnecessary media usage and bath changes.

Unlike conventional solutions that require multiple sensors and manual testing, the LOC system combines titration, pH, conductivity and surface tension measurement in one integrated solution. The technology also enables automated sampling directly from connected process stations, reducing operator intervention and improving process transparency.

Future developments will include total organic carbon (TOC) and particle measurement capabilities, further expanding the system’s analytical functionality.

Alongside the LOC system, Ecoclean has introduced Smart Drying technology, an AI-supported solution designed to optimise hot air and vacuum drying processes. Developed using data from thousands of drying tests, the system continuously analyses humidity, temperature and pressure within the process chamber to determine the most efficient drying strategy for individual components.

By intelligently adapting the drying cycle, Smart Drying reduces energy consumption and process times while ensuring consistently dry components, even when processing different workpiece types.

The new technologies also support increasing documentation and traceability requirements by continuously recording process parameters and enabling stable, reproducible cleaning and drying performance. According to Ecoclean, future development work will focus on expanding AI capabilities into cleaning and rinsing process control.

More information www.ecoclean-group.net