Meltio has launched the Meltio Robot Cell, a turn-key metal 3D printing solution for industrial robot arms. The printing solution boosts the performance of robotic arms in a safer, more reliable, and highly accurate way as it controls the entire process. This includes the recently launched slicing software, Meltio Space.

The company’s vision is to become a patented DED 3D printing technology developer. It aims to become a reliable solution provider for industries as they adopt its wire-laser metal 3D printing solutions that reduce costs and improve manufacturing processes. The Spanish multinational’s new hardware innovation, the Meltio Robot Cell, allows standard metal 3D printing. This encompasses building plate in a factory as a start and repair parts or addition of features.

Specifically, Meltio Robot Cell works with an open hardware platform. The platfrom lets Meltio attach its metal 3D deposition head to any brand of robotic arm. This improves user experience with the introduction of standardization approach through the Meltio Robot Cell.

The volume and work area in the Meltio Robot Cell workspace meet all manufacturing needs using its industrial-level additive manufacturing technology. Also, it takes full advantage of Meltio’s metal 3D printhead. Additionally, it manufactures parts in an industrial environment autonomously thanks to its monitoring and safety features.

Meanwhile, the robot and positioner are installed on a self-supporting platform. Also, installed are a laser-safe enclosure together with the Meltio Engine, Meltio Space, and accessories.

With the Meltio Robot Cell, the company is fulfilling most of the applications that industry and integrators need when printing industrial metal parts. This is the reason this standardization matches with the possibility of building custom integrations with the help of Meltio partners.

Mainly, the company designed the Meltio Robot Cell as a plug-and-play system, with a single electrical power supply and a single inert gas supply. This solution allows the customer to receive a product ready to use for robotic metal 3D printing.

The environmental conditions are also standard. Moreover, this cell cannot be outdoors or unprotected from the sun and dust, it must be in a controlled environment.

Finally, the Meltio Robot Cell is certified and tested to operate with an ABB robotic arm as standard configuration. It is also aimed at all industries. It is most certainly an evolution of the Meltio Engine Robot Integration as a base production model. This enables industries to incorporate 3D printed parts manufacturing with the Meltio head integrated into a robot into their production systems.

As Meltio Engine Product Manager, Alejandro Nieto is excited about this new innovation:

“Meltio’s main commitment with the launch of the Meltio Robot Cell is to offer all types of industries the ability to manage the entire manufacturing process using our metal 3D printing technology. This consists of a Meltio head integrated into a robotic arm and in a safe environment, in order to just produce parts.

This new hardware system allows the customer to receive a ready-to-use cell for robotic metal 3D printing. Accordingly, it removes the integration process and long assembly lead times. The Meltio Robot Cell has a specific area for every supply the cell requires on a daily basis. It only needs to connect the inert gas, and an electric supply is enough to start manufacturing.

Meltio highlights its ability to boost client productivity and enhance manufacturing capabilities. In 2023, they offer the Meltio Robot Cell with a lead time of just 4 to 6 weeks.

Also, the Meltio Robot Cell provides the industrial customer with a working protocol. Relative to existing offerings in the market today, the price of Meltio Robot Cell is very competitive. Its price is below 300,000 dollars ex-works. Also, the cost of the solution is competitive. This is true in comparison with thermoplastic and concrete 3D printing systems in other sectors that demand 3D printing for structural parts.

It is possible to deliver the cell with other robot brands on the market to be more responsive to customers in terms of availability and technical capability. The Meltio Robot Cell is compatible with the open hardware platform that allows Meltio to integrate our metal 3D printing head on any brand of robotic arms”.