The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) has officially doubled down on its investment in hybrid manufacturing with the purchase of two additional Phillips Additive Hybrid systems to pair with their original UMC-750 Hybrid, installed in 2022 and integrated with Meltio’s laser-wire DED metal 3D printing technology.

Haas UMC- 750 integrated with Meltio’s laser-wire metal 3D printing head — delivering advanced additive and subtractive manufacturing capabilities for defense and workforce training.

Following their success with the first unit, IALR decided to purchase two additional systems, set to be installed later this year. With these integrations, IALR solidifies its workforce training and research leadership in Southern Virginia and supports its growing partnerships with defense and manufacturing sectors, including workforce and technology development efforts for the U.S. Navy.

Navy Programs at IALR

Training the Additive Workforce

Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM)

Creating Additive Recipes

Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence

Training Navy Personnel

Naval Aviation School for Additive Manufacturing (NASAM)

“Hybrid manufacturing technology is breaking boundaries that were once thought impossible,” said Wesley Cifers, Assistant Director of Advanced Training & Operations at IALR. “At IALR, we firmly believe that this is a key component in the future of manufacturing. By uniting cutting-edge research, accelerated workforce training, and deep industry collaboration, we are shaping a new realm of possibility.”

“Our partnership with IALR has been inspiring from the start,” said Dan Insogna, Regional Account Manager for Additive Manufacturing at Phillips Corporation. “Their dedication to training the next generation of manufacturing professionals and supporting the defense sector makes them an ideal partner for Phillips Additive Hybrid. We’re excited to support their mission with a platform that delivers real-world, cutting-edge capability.”

A Unified Platform for Research, Training and Defense

Powered by Meltio’s multi-laser, wire-fed deposition head, IALR’s hybrid systems allow users to create complex metal parts using materials like stainless steel and Inconel — all while retaining the proven reliability and control interface of a 5-axis Haas UMC-750 mill. This integration delivers the dual benefit of world-class subtractive machining with advanced additive capabilities in one compact system.

  • Integrated metal part production — combining additive and subtractive processes in one setup
  • Hands-on workforce development for advanced manufacturing careers
  • Support for defense-sector projects, including shipbuilding, Navy-related repair, and prototyping work
  • Collaborative research with academic and industry partners in material science, part design, and production runs.

About the Phillips Additive Hybrid

  • Affordable and compact — a fraction of the cost of competing hybrid systems and reduced footprint via integration
  • Safe and clean — laser-wire DED is proven safe and cuts waste with near-net shape printing
  • Training-ready — includes onsite training and curriculum support from Phillips Hybrid experts
  • Flexible — compatible with a variety of Haas CNC vertical mills and additive materials

About IALR
The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation with applied research, advanced learning, manufacturing advancement, conference center services and economic development efforts. IALR’s major footprint focuses on Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg and the cities of Martinsville and Danville.

About Phillips Corporation
Phillips Corporation has been solving manufacturing challenges for over 60 years. Its Additive Hybrid division helps industry and education integrate cutting-edge 3D metal printing into Haas CNC platforms, delivering world-class support, service, and training. Learn more at www.phillipscorp.com/hybrid.