Additive and subtractive manufacturing in a 10-foot container: 3D printing and repair with Metrom PM200 and ALOflex
Space limitations have driven the development of innovative solutions that combine a mobile 5-axis machine with a mobile 6-axis robot. Small parts weighing up to 50 kg can be printed inside the container, while larger parts can be repaired outside the system using laser welding and milling.
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10ft container including a PM200 and ALOflex system working on the same rotary tilting table together -
PM200 finish milling on a 3D-printed excavator tooth on a rotary table -
ALOflex system being deployed for mobile use -
mobile repair of a forming tool by the PM200 -
Hybrid Mobile Machines from Metrom: Compact and Versatile Solutions
Metrom’s hybrid mobile machines are already integrated into 20-foot container setups or available as standalone mobile systems. With a new requirement to utilize a 10-foot container as both a working environment and a transport box, the PM200—paired with the ALOflex robot from ALOTEC—comes into play.
The PM200, Metrom’s smallest machine, was developed in 2022 and has since been optimized for mobile use. Weighing only 45 kg, it can be lifted by two operators without additional lifting equipment. This lightweight design was achieved using 3D-printed carbon fiber-reinforced plastics with the SEAM printing method, demonstrating that accuracy and stiffness are on par with a traditional steel frame.
Currently, standard market tools such as laser heads and welding heads are too large to integrate directly into the PM200. To overcome this, we utilize a robot on a movable platform from our partner ALOTEC in Germany. ALOTEC has a proven track record of mobile laser welding, 3D printing, and hardening, particularly for on-site repairs and modifications of large components.
The mobile 6-axis ALOflex robot and the 5-axis PM200 machine can operate together on the same rotary-tilting table, enabling hybrid processing without the need for scanning or zero-point realignment between tasks. This allows for seamless on-demand spare part printing. Additionally, the ALOflex robot can move independently on its crawler chassis, while the PM200 can be manually positioned for precision repairs on large workpieces.
Metrom machines are as versatile as their configurations, serving industries such as casting, gas and hydro power, mining, and component manufacturing, among many others.
