DIY Animatronic Terminator T-800 Endo Skull Build (ALL METAL)

Hi all T-800 fans, I’m starting to seriously plan my Model 101 scratch skull build! The idea will be to 3D-print the skull and then fix up the print’s imperfections with bondo/plaster/clay and spent a lot of time fixing the details by hand. I acquired this 3D model where the author claims it’s base is … Read more

Incredible all-in-one Hybrid Metal Laser 3D Printer and 5-Axis CNC

DMG MORI has succeeded in building one of the most amazing rapid prototyping machines that any maker will have the pleasure of admiring. This machine is effectively a 3D metal-printer with a built in automatic 5-axis CNC lathe/milling machine.

Shown here in concept drawings, the slick looking industrial machine efficiently houses everything you need to make your polished metal part in a single session.

hybrid-cnc-3d-printer-metal-machining-5-axis-dmg-mori-shareahack_concept
Photos and Concept Art by DMG MORI

The first process in building this part is building it up using a powerful laser and a metal substrate:

3d-printing-metal-shareahack
Video by DMG MORI

Notice that when the laser has finished bonding the metal the resulting finish is rough and imperfect almost appearing like a casting.

Video by DMG MORI
Video by DMG MORI

Once a section of metal layers is completed, the laser print head is automatically put to the side and the subtractive CNC mill is activated.

Any holes and drilled/tapped and rough surfaces are cleaned up to a polish.

Video by DMG MORI
Video by DMG MORI
Industrial Turbine Part
Industrial Turbine Part

The finalized part shown here is nothing short of a miracle.

While this industrial machine is going to be cost prohibitive for the average maker at home, hopefully it’s a sign that the technology is here and is only a matter of time until it shows up in the consumer market or DIY solutions become available as high powered lasers become cheaper.

We hope you have as much fun we did watching this part materialize in the video below!