To date, hybrid machine tools have combined additive manufacturing capability with milling and/or turning. But now, machine tool maker ELB-Schliff has introduced a grinding machine that is equipped for additive manufacturing. The hybrid version of the company’s “millGrind” is aimed at aerospace engine part production, producing part features both subtractively (through grinding and milling) and additively (through laser cladding). In other words, the machine can generate the features of precise, complex, critical components made aerospce alloys by applying both growing and grinding within a single cycle.

The additive capability comes from the laser metal deposition system from Hybrid Manufacturing Technologies that is integrated into the machine. Hybrid worked with ELB-Schliff on the machine’s development. The result, both companies believe, is the world’s first hybrid grinder.

The combination makes sense. Indeed, it could be argued that additive manufacturing is at least as good a fit with grinding as it is with other subtractive operations. Both CNC grinding and metal additive manufacturing are high-value processes typically performed on high-end machines. In addition, grinding is strong where additive is weak. Features produced additively generally require surface finish improvement, and surface finish is where grinding excels.

A statement from ELB-Schliff adds this: “Grinding particularly excels in cost-effectiveness for processing materials that are difficult to machine, such as nickel-based superalloys. The millGrind runs conventional grinding abrasives with superabrasive capability, and has an XYZ resolution of 0.1 micron. If hybrid milling takes additive manufacturing to a new level of productivity, then hybridgrinding takes additive manufacturing to a new level of precision.”