CNC machine tool also 3D prints, says Hurco Companies Inc patent filing

Explains Gregory Volovic, president of Hurco Companies Inc: "We designed an additive manufacturing adapter that, in combination with proprietary Hurco control software, effectively turns a CNC milling machine into a 3D printer. "Hurco has a long history of inventing technology that allows our customers to be more productive and profitable. This is yet another Hurco innovation making advanced technology accessible to a broad range of customers. With this new additive manufacturing capability, users may go from print to plastic prototype to finished metal part on one machine, without repeated set-ups and without multiple prototyping utilising costly metals and raw material." Hurco machine tools will be able to support 3D printing directly, without the need for a separate 3D printer, says Hurco, while the company is working on expanding its invention to include other additive manufacturing processes. Continues Volovic: "We recently filed a utility patent application with the US Patent and Trademark Office describing and claiming a variety of novel features of our 3D printing technology. Our control technology will provide our customers speed and ease of use in performing CNC-based 3D printing and prototyping. With our new next-generation control technology debuting at the International Machine Tool Show in Chicago later this year, Hurco is very excited to be introducing not only a new look for our products and our new CNC machine control, but also innovative capabilities not found on other CNC machines." Hurco CNC machine tools are fitted with the company's proprietary CNC technology that the company claims has many benefits. See here for more details.