AdaOne

Is AdaOne right for your shop?

• We already have a robot arm or two for machine tending. Can AdaOne work with those specific robots, or do we need to invest in specialized, expensive additive manufacturing equipment?

  Absolutely. AdaOne is specifically designed to be 'robot agnostic,' meaning it's compatible with a wide range of standard industrial robots from major brands like Fanuc, KUKA, ABB, Yaskawa, and more – likely including the ones you use for machine tending. Instead of investing heavily in single-purpose additive machines, AdaOne lets you leverage the flexibility of your existing robotic assets. It acts as the 'brain,' transforming your robot (when equipped with the appropriate welding, extrusion, or other deposition gear) into a versatile additive and hybrid manufacturing cell. This significantly lowers the barrier to entry for bringing advanced capabilities in-house.

• My team knows CNC programming well, but we're not robotics engineers. How steep is the learning curve for AdaOne, and can my current staff realistically operate it without extensive specialized training?

  This is a key advantage of AdaOne. It was built with accessibility in mind, featuring an intuitive, graphical interface that doesn't require deep robotics programming expertise. If your team is comfortable with CAD/CAM software for CNC, they'll find the workflow familiar – importing models, defining toolpaths, simulating, and post-processing. AdaOne eliminates the need for complex line-by-line robot coding for manufacturing paths. While learning the nuances of robotic additive processes is beneficial, your existing team's skills are a great foundation.

  Plus, as your trusted partner, DSI provides comprehensive training and ongoing local support to ensure your team gets up to speed quickly and confidently uses AdaOne to its full potential.

• Beyond just making prototypes, what practical applications can AdaOne realistically deliver for a machine shop like ours? Can it help us produce usable tooling, fixtures, or even end-use parts efficiently?

  Definitely. While excellent for rapid prototyping, AdaOne's value for a machine shop extends far beyond that. Think of it as adding a powerful, versatile tool to your production capabilities. You can efficiently produce:

  • Custom Tooling, Jigs & Fixtures: Create complex or tailored workholding specific to your jobs much faster than traditional methods, right on your shop floor.
  • Low-Volume End-Use Parts: Manufacture functional parts directly, especially those with complex geometries difficult or costly for CNC alone, using various metals (via Wire Arc or Laser Metal Deposition) or engineering plastics/composites.
  • Component Repair & Modification: Add features, apply wear-resistant coatings, or repair worn surfaces on existing valuable components, often saving significant costs compared to replacement.
  • Near-Net Shape Blanks: Print parts close to their final shape before finish machining on your CNCs, saving material and machining time.
    
    

  AdaOne helps you create the functional items needed to run your shop more efficiently, reduce external dependencies, and even take on new types of challenging, higher-value jobs.