Oak Ridge And Mazak Unveiled New Hybrid Manufacturing System
The platform combines wire arc additive technology with precision milling to streamline industrial workflows.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Manufacturing
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Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Mazak have introduced the VC-Ez WAAM Additive Manufacturing Platform. The system debuted at IMTS 2026 in Chicago to demonstrate unified metal additive and machining processes.
Why it matters
The platform seeks to bridge the gap between additive metal deposition and high-precision milling. By unifying these stages, manufacturers can potentially reduce production time and increase component accuracy within a single workflow.
The system occupies a footprint of 104.21 by 146.32 inches and supports workpieces up to 880 lbs. It features a rapid traverse rate of 1,260 ipm with a maximum workpiece diameter of 27.55 inches.
The players
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
This Department of Energy facility leads research in advanced manufacturing, materials science, and clean energy technology.
Mazak
The company is a global manufacturer of machine tools, laser processing machines, and automated manufacturing systems.
Fronius International
This Austrian company specializes in advanced welding technology, photovoltaics, and battery charging systems.
The details
The system pairs a Mazak VC-Ez 20X machining center with a Fronius International Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing system. An automated palletized transfer system moves workpieces between additive growth operations and 5-axis finish milling under MAZATROL SmoothEz5 CNC control.
Timeline
The VC-Ez WAAM system was showcased at IMTS 2026 in September 2026.
Market Landscape
This integration follows a trend of combining additive and subtractive manufacturing to reduce factory floor requirements. It positions the technology against competitors seeking to streamline complex metal component production via consolidated robotic work cells.
For industrial manufacturers, this system could mean lower overhead costs through a reduced physical footprint and less material waste. It simplifies production logistics for shops that previously required two separate machines to perform additive and subtractive processes.
The takeaway
Hybrid platforms like this represent a shift toward all-in-one production cells that optimize space and energy. Manufacturers should evaluate whether their existing workflows justify the investment in unified additive and milling hardware.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Manufacturing and industrial technology.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fabricating and Metalworking.
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