04-16-2020: DMG Mori announced the launch of the LASERTEC 400 Shape
A system dedicated to laser texturing on three-dimensional surfaces of molds and tools
On April 16, 2020, DMG Mori presented the hybrid LASERTEC 400 Shape system, which combined traditional machining with advanced additive techniques such as laser ablation. This was a five-axis CNC machine equipped with a laser ablation system, enabling the application of complex surface structures to existing injection molds and forming tools. With the ability to work on parts weighing up to 20 tons and measuring up to 3350 x 1350 x 1000 mm, it was the largest system in DMG Mori’s portfolio.
The LASERTEC 400 Shape used a newly developed 100 W laser head with adjustable pulse length and a frequency of up to 1 kHz. An F-Theta lens provided 3D processing optics, and the movable laser head offered two degrees of freedom – ±200 degrees of rotation and a tilt range from -100 to +135 degrees. This allowed the system to process even hard-to-reach areas of a part, including deep and narrow features or undercuts. The LASERTEC 400 Shape was based on the Siemens 840D solutionline control system.
DMG Mori, one of the largest CNC machine tool manufacturers in the world, had been investing in additive technologies since the mid-2010s, acquiring Realizer in 2017. The company began offering both hybrid systems combining milling with DED technology and 3D printers based on Realizer’s PBF technology.
Laser ablation, although technically a subtractive process – as it removes material through evaporation using laser pulses – is often regarded as complementary to additive manufacturing, particularly in the context of modifying 3D surface structures. Thanks to the precise formation of microstructures, it becomes possible to create functional surfaces without mechanical milling or the use of chemicals, which aligns well with the design philosophy of additive manufacturing.
So in that sense, the LASERTEC 400 Shape was not a 3D printer nor a typical additive system, but its function, method of operation, and its place in DMG Mori’s technological strategy clearly connect it with broader trends in additive manufacturing.
Source: www.3dput.com
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