This Huge Hybrid Manufacturing Machine is Ready to Start 3D Printing Construction Parts and Structures
September 28 23:05:27, 2025
The European LASIMM project, a groundbreaking initiative in hybrid manufacturing, has successfully brought together 10 international organizations and is now fully operational. This ambitious effort, often referred to as Europe’s moonshot for advanced manufacturing, has resulted in the creation of one of the world’s largest hybrid machines—LASIMM.
Located at Loxin’s facilities in Pamplona, Spain, LASIMM is a massive 14m x 11m x 5m system that combines both additive and subtractive manufacturing techniques. It can produce large metal components, such as beams up to 6 meters long and 2 meters in diameter, with weights reaching up to 2,000 kilograms. This level of capability opens up new possibilities for industries like aerospace, energy, construction, and more.
Funded by the EU's Horizon 2020 program, the project aims to boost industrial efficiency, reduce costs, and increase flexibility in production. By enabling direct manufacturing from CAD models, LASIMM represents a major step forward in making high-volume additive manufacturing more viable and cost-effective.
The collaboration includes companies like Autodesk, Global Robots, BAE Systems, Vestas, and several universities and research institutes across Belgium, the UK, Denmark, Spain, Germany, and Portugal. Together, they have developed a scalable, open-architecture framework that supports full parallel manufacturing.
The machine will be used to create demonstrator parts, such as airplane panels, wind turbine components, and large cantilever structures, pushing its capabilities to the limit. With features including 3D printing, machining, metrology, and inspection, LASIMM promises a 20% reduction in time and cost, along with a 15% improvement in productivity.
Autodesk plays a key role as the lead software partner, helping to drive the shift from single-machine, single-process CAM to multi-machine, multi-process systems. Their technology ensures seamless toolpath generation during the manufacturing process, enhancing precision and efficiency.
Despite cultural differences among the diverse team, shared experiences over meals and drinks have helped build strong working relationships. The project not only advances technology but also fosters international collaboration.
For Europe’s future industrial competitiveness, LASIMM marks a significant leap in hybrid manufacturing. It allows countries to produce larger, more complex materials faster and at lower costs. The project demonstrates that 3D printing is no longer limited to small-scale applications—it’s ready for big, industrial challenges.
Key benefits of the LASIMM project include:
- 20% reduction in time and cost
- 15% increase in productivity for high-volume additive manufacturing
- Greater machine flexibility and robustness
- Reduced inventory and workspace requirements
- Localized manufacturing and shorter supply chains
- Contribution to standardization of hybrid manufacturing processes
As Eurico Assuncao, Deputy Director of the European Federation for Welding, Joining and Cutting and LASIMM project coordinator, noted: “While 3D printing has captured public imagination, its real impact lies in industrial and construction sectors. LASIMM is a milestone that could pave the way for entire infrastructures to be 3D printed in the future.â€
With its cutting-edge design and global collaboration, LASIMM is setting a new benchmark for what’s possible in modern manufacturing.
