Meltio Now Assembles Robot Cell in the U.S. for Industrial Metal 3D Printing

Meltio has started assembling its Robot Cell in the United States. The move cuts shipping costs and removes the long integration process that previously waited for European-built systems.

The cell combines Meltio's metal 3D printing head with an ABB robotic arm, a two-axis workpiece positioner, and a laser-safe enclosure. Only electrical power and inert gas connections are needed before manufacturing can start. That is a real change from the custom integration work most industrial metal 3D printing systems demand.

FORCE Automation, a U.S. industrial automation specialist, partnered with Meltio on the assembly. The company has previously integrated Meltio technology with ABB robots. Local assembly also means faster service response for North American customers.

The system targets three main uses: adding features to existing machined parts, rebuilding worn surfaces, and producing spare parts on demand. Wire-laser directed energy deposition works well for large components where deposition rate matters more than surface finish. A Mercedes-Benz exhaust supplier used the cell to manufacture custom stainless-steel tailpipes for an SLR McLaren. The approach cut production time and costs by roughly 50 percent compared to their old process.

An Italian forging specialist adopted the Robot Cell to automate repair of trimming dies and punches. Traditional manual electrode welding took longer and cost more. Meltio reports a 67 percent cost reduction against that method.

The U.S.-assembled Robot Cell works with Meltio's open hardware platform. ABB arms are officially supported, but the deposition head can integrate with other robot brands. The print envelope reaches 1,000 mm in diameter by 800 mm tall. The system weighs between 4,000 and 5,000 kg and requires a standard industrial indoor environment.

Industrial metal 3D printing has a localization problem. Most wire-laser DED systems come from Europe or Asia, and freight, customs, and integration timelines add months to delivery. Meltio's U.S. assembly addresses that directly. For shops that need metal parts now, not next quarter, the cell is worth a look.