Mazak and ORNL Developed Hybrid Manufacturing Platform
Manufacturers can now combine metal additive and 5-axis machining on one system to streamline production workflows.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Manufacturing
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Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Mazak partnered to launch the VC-Ez WAAM Additive Manufacturing Platform, which integrates metal deposition and high-precision machining into a single process. The system debuted at IMTS 2026 to help shops unify traditionally separate production workflows.
Why it matters
By combining additive and subtractive manufacturing, shops can reduce the number of machines required for a single part, cutting down on floor space requirements and fixturing complexity. The system streamlines the transition between material deposition and finishing by utilizing an automated pallet transfer process.
The system features a 26.5% reduction in machine footprint compared to independent setups, with a maximum workpiece capacity of 880 lbs and 27.55" in diameter. It utilizes a rapid traverse rate of 1,260 ipm across X, Y, and Z axes.
The players
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
A U.S. Department of Energy national research facility that advances energy, materials, and manufacturing technologies.
Mazak
A global manufacturer of advanced machine tools and CNC technology with a major U.S. manufacturing facility in Florence, Kentucky.
Fronius International
An Austrian welding and battery charging technology firm that provides specialized arc-based metal deposition systems.
The details
The platform pairs a Mazak VC-Ez 20X vertical machining center with a Fronius International Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing system. This setup uses electric arcs and welding wire to grow parts layer-by-layer before moving them through an automated palletized transfer system. Once the additive process is complete, the pallet shifts to the 5-axis milling station, managed by MAZATROL SmoothEz5 CNC controls for precise finishing.
Timeline
The integrated system was showcased at IMTS 2026 in September 2026.
Market Landscape
This release follows the industry-wide trend of increasing integration between metal additive manufacturing and conventional 5-axis milling as seen at IMTS 2026. The shift signals a movement away from standalone additive equipment toward unified, multi-process production cells.
Owners should assess whether their shop floor capacity currently restricts them to either additive or subtractive work due to space or fixture limitations. Incorporating hybrid systems may lower long-term capital expenditure by consolidating process stages into one footprint.
The takeaway
Hybrid platforms that bridge the gap between material deposition and finish milling are lowering the barrier to entry for complex, multi-stage production. Shop leaders should track the integration of MAZATROL SmoothEz5 controls with additive systems as a benchmark for future equipment investments.
Further reading
For more on industry-wide hardware innovations, visit Manufacturing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fabricating and Metalworking.
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Is now a good time for manufacturers to transition toward hybrid additive and machining platforms?
