Hybrid CNC System Integrates Wire Laser Metal Deposition in Japan

HORKOS has launched the NX70 DUO version AM, a twin-head non-bed machining center that merges its precision cutting with Meltio's wire laser metal deposition technology. The system enables manufacturers in the aerospace, defense, energy, and heavy industries in Japan to perform continuous material deposition and machining within a single setup.

Wire Laser Metal Deposition and Subtractive Integration
Based on the NX70 1510B machining center architecture, the system incorporates directed energy deposition (DED) technology developed by Meltio. The additive mechanism utilizes standard welding wire as the metal feedstock, which is melted by laser energy and deposited precisely onto the workpiece. By combining this twin-head additive capability with standard subtractive CNC machining, operators can alternate between material deposition and milling without transferring the component between different work centers. This structural integration utilizes a proprietary non-bed architecture to minimize the overall machine footprint, while incorporating a water-soluble iMQL (minimum quantity lubrication) system to maintain a controlled machining environment.

Use Cases in Complex Industrial Fabrication
The hybrid architecture supports a two-stage manufacturing process specifically suited for complex geometries, such as closed impellers, where conventional multi-axis machining struggles with limited internal tool access. By depositing material and immediately machining internal surfaces before enclosing the geometry, the system circumvents traditional tooling reach constraints. This capability directly supports remanufacturing, prototyping, and rapid part repair while reducing the floor-space and labor requirements typically associated with operating separate additive and subtractive manufacturing lines.

System Deployment and Fleet Sustainment
The integration of Wire-DED technology into standard CNC environments has established an operational precedent in industrial repair applications. In the United States, 12 hybrid manufacturing systems utilizing Meltio’s DED technology integrated with standard CNC platforms are utilized by the U.S. Navy for fleet sustainment and point-of-need repair. The HORKOS integration, supported by regional distribution and integration partners MadeHere and Techtrage Co., Ltd., aims to replicate this process stability for domestic manufacturers. The NX70 DUO version AM is exhibited at the 33rd Japan International Machine Tool Fair (JIMTOF 2026) at Tokyo Big Sight in Tokyo from October 26 to October 31, 2026.

Additional Context
This section details technical specifications and competitive benchmarking not included in the original news release.

The hybrid CNC manufacturing market includes established systems such as the DMG MORI LASERTEC 65 DED hybrid and the Mazak INTEGREX i-400 AM. The DMG MORI LASERTEC 65 DED hybrid relies on a 5-axis milling platform combined with either powder-blown or wire-fed deposition heads, focusing on large-scale aerospace components. The Mazak INTEGREX i-400 AM utilizes a multi-tasking lathe architecture combined with deposition technology to process rotating cylindrical parts. The HORKOS NX70 DUO version AM differentiates itself through its specific twin-head non-bed structural design, which is engineered to minimize the required facility floor space compared to standard 5-axis gantry or trunnion hybrid setups, directly addressing spatial constraints in dense industrial facilities.

Edited by Aishwarya Mambet, Induportals Editor, with AI assistance.

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