Key Takeaways
- IMTS 2024 remains the world’s largest showcase for manufacturing tech, drawing > 125,000 visitors to Chicago’s McCormick Place.
- DN Solutions unveiled the AM2CNC hybrid platform, pairing its DLX 450 laser‑powder‑bed‑fusion (L‑PBF) printer with a DVF 5000 5‑axis CNC mill for a single‑pass “print‑then‑finish” workflow.
- Farsoon Technologies highlighted a metal‑hand case study for humanoid robots, using its FS‑271M 400 W L‑PBF system to produce high‑strength titanium and stainless‑steel components.
- Both exhibitors demonstrate how additive manufacturing (AM) is moving from prototyping to qualified, production‑grade parts.
IMTS 2024: A Flood of Innovation
The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) returned to Chicago this September, filling the Windy City’s convention halls with more than 125,000 industry professionals. As Jim Anderton of Engineering.com described it, the experience is “like drinking from a fire hose”—the sheer volume of new machines, software releases, and strategic announcements can overwhelm even seasoned attendees.
To help readers cut through the noise, this brief focuses on two under‑the‑radar exhibitors that are redefining additive manufacturing (AM) on the show floor.
DN Solutions – Championing Hybrid Manufacturing
What the Company Does
Based in South Korea, DN Solutions is best known for its high‑speed CNC machining centers and as a subsidiary of DN Automotive (formerly DTR Automotive). At IMTS, the firm pivoted attention to its AM2CNC hybrid solution, a seamless integration of additive and subtractive processes.
AM2CNC Workflow
| Step | Equipment | Key Specs |
|---|---|---|
| Additive Build | DLX 450 L‑PBF printer | 450 W fiber laser, 250 × 250 × 300 mm build volume, Inconel 718 & Ti‑6Al‑4V capability |
| In‑Machine Metrology | Integrated vision system | Measures each as‑built preform with ±0.02 mm accuracy |
| Subtractive Finish | DVF 5000 5‑axis CNC mill | 30 kW spindle, 0.005 mm positioning repeatability, live‑tool tapping |
| Software | Proprietary AM2CNC CAM | Auto‑generates toolpaths based on real‑time geometry data |
The platform’s core promise is to eliminate handoffs between separate printers and mills, which traditionally introduce tolerance stack‑up and re‑work. As DN’s press release states, “Because no two preforms leave the build chamber identical, AM2CNC measures each one directly in the machine and fits the finishing program to where that specific part actually sits.”
Why It Matters
Hybrid manufacturing reduces overall lead time by 30‑45 % for medium‑volume production runs and improves first‑pass yield to > 98 %, according to internal DN data presented at booth 338919 (South Building).
Farsoon Technologies – Metal‑Hand Robotics
Company Snapshot
China‑based Farsoon Technologies supplies industrial L‑PBF systems for aerospace, medical, and now robotics markets. Their booth featured a humanoid‑hand case study that leveraged Farsoon’s FS‑271M printer.
Technical Highlights
| Parameter | FS‑271M L‑PBF System |
|---|---|
| Laser Power | 400 W fiber |
| Build Volume | 300 × 300 × 350 mm |
| Materials | Ti‑6Al‑4V, 316L stainless steel, Inconel |
| Layer Thickness | 20‑100 µm |
| Production Rate | Up to 12 kg / hr (dense metal) |
The robot hand components—finger joints, wrist couplings, and a lightweight palm—were printed in Ti‑6Al‑4V and then post‑processed (stress‑relief heat treat at 800 °C, followed by CNC polishing). Mechanical testing reported yield strengths of 950 MPa and elongation > 12 %, meeting the demanding load cycles of humanoid applications.
Market Implications
Farsoon’s demonstration proves that metal AM can deliver functional, load‑bearing parts for robotics without resorting to expensive forging or machining. The company estimates a cost reduction of 40‑60 % versus traditional machining for parts under 200 g, a critical threshold for mobile robots.
Comparative Snapshot
| Feature | DN Solutions AM2CNC | Farsoon FS‑271M (Robotics) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Hybrid print‑then‑finish for production‑grade parts | Metal AM for lightweight, high‑strength robotic components |
| Core Machine | DLX 450 L‑PBF (450 W) + DVF 5000 5‑axis CNC | FS‑271M L‑PBF (400 W) |
| Build Volume (mm) | 250 × 250 × 300 | 300 × 300 × 350 |
| Material Focus | Inconel, Ti‑6Al‑4V, high‑temp alloys | Ti‑6Al‑4V, 316L, Inconel |
| Lead‑time Reduction | 30‑45 % vs |
