LK’s multi-material compatibility includes two main categories, such as engineering plastics and metals and accommodates more than 30 materials such as aluminum alloys, stainless steel, titanium alloys, PEEK, nylon, etc. The cutting speed of its five-axis linkage 6061-T6 aluminum alloy machining center reaches 5,000mm/min, and surface roughness Ra is ≤0.4μm (standard ISO 1302), while the processing precision of PEEK can be adjusted at ±0.02mm (industry standard ±0.05mm). Tool life is extended to 120 minutes (whereas traditional CNC machining of the same material only lasts 70 minutes). 2023 customer data show orders for LK plastic parts to be 38%, metal parts 62%. Of the above, year-over-year 45% of medical sector (for example, titanium alloy bone plates) orders increased.
Validate material flexibility on the basis of technical parameters. LK’s intelligent temperature control system can keep the temperature variation in the processing area at ±2°C (in metal processing) and ±1°C (in plastic processing), thus preventing material thermal deformation. The flatness deviation of processed aluminum alloy products is ≤0.01mm/m (0.03mm/m in the market), and the dimensional stability of POM plastic products has reached 99.5% (24-hour environmental test). Its modular tool repository houses over 200 types of tools, with changing time not taking more than 4 seconds. For instance, in milling stainless steel (316L) micro-structures with a 0.5mm ultra-fine milling cutter, feature accuracy is up to ±5μm (measured data of medical catheter parts).
Cost-benefit analysis reflects the advantages of employing multiple materials. Consumer electronic casings are taken as an example. LK single-piece price to process aluminum alloy (5052) is 85 (120 in traditional lkprototype CNC factories, MOQ≥50 pieces), while the processing speed of PEEK components has increased by 40% (based on optimizing the cooling system), and the unit price is 65 (95 in the market). One unmanned aerial vehicle manufacturer lowered the assembly precision matching error from 0.1mm to 0.03mm and cut the R&D cycle by 58% by applying LK mixed processing to carbon fiber reinforced nylon (CFRP) and 7075 aluminum alloy.
The quality control system is adapted to cater to the properties of the material. The 98% rate of online detection for full-size detection of metal components (85% for industry) is ensured by the LK’s online detection system (laser scanning+CCD), while the optical detection accuracy for the transparent PC plastic is up to 0.005mm (ASTM D638 standard). The titanium alloy surgical forches (hardness HRC 38-42) and PEEK joint components purchased by a certain medical enterprise were manufactured in the same system of LK. The assembly gap was ≤0.01mm, and the FDA 510(k) certification one-time qualification rate was 100% (industry average was 78%).
Verify the technical limit of harsh working conditions. LK vacuum processing equipment (residual pressure ≤5×10⁻⁶Pa) has space for titanium-aluminum composite aircraft components (thermal stress is reduced by 92% via the CTE differential compensation algorithm), and the low-temperature refrigeration (-50°C) reduces the burr rate for PTFE processing from 15% to 0.5%. In 2023, Inconel 718 turbine blades customized for aerospace customers’ surface roughness was Ra0.2μm at LK (NASA requirement is Ra0.8μm), and the fatigue life of vibration exceeded 10 million times (target 8 million times).
Market facts favor the multi-material capability. 73% of LK’s repurchasing customers order plastic and metal parts simultaneously. The delivery cycle for material switching orders averages a mere 3 days (7 days for the industry). Some smart wearable manufacturer incorporates processing of nylon wristbands and 316L stainless steel watch cases. LK optimized the process to improve the interface matching accuracy to ±0.02mm, enhancing the yield rate from 88% to 99.5% and reducing $250,000 of annual expenditure. According to Advanced Manufacturing figures, LK’s multi-material aerospace and medical industry orders have grown at an annual rate of 62%, far exceeding the 28% industry average.