Materialise has announced the launch of Process Control software dedicated to 3D printing in metal and Build Processor Software Development (BP SDK). The company says the new programs will help users troubleshoot failed builds and hidden defects in 3D prints, while developing parameters to suit their needs. With manufacturing process control, users will be able to analyze and correlate data collected during the 3D printing process to identify defective parts before they are sent for post-processing and quality control.
By analyzing the data of individual layers of 3D prints, users should be able to find the root cause of defects faster, while reducing both the number of failed prints and costly quality control during post-processing. Layer data analysis is automated and uses AI to examine 2D images of the powder bed spread out on the 3D printer build plate taken during the 3D printing process. Materialise worked with Phase 3D and Sigma Additive Solutions, Inc. to integrate complementary data and provide “deep insights” into the manufacturing process. Phase 3D technology adds elevation mapping in the form of topographic layer data, while Sigma Additive Solutions provides thermal data from the melt pool and melt area.
Materialise Process Control is available as part of CO-AM, the comprehensive Materialise 3D printing software platform, and as a standalone software solution. As part of the open source, partners will be able to add their monitoring software and technology.
The BP SDK is designed to offer an easy way to create or customize 3D build build processors for specific applications. Machine suppliers and manufacturing companies with R&D capabilities can use the development platform themselves as a toolkit, rely on Materialise expertise, or choose a collaborative approach. Using proven build processor technology, they can shorten the product development cycle, integrate their own APIs, and generate new intellectual property. According to Materialise, this open development process fosters collaboration and can drive diversification and optimization of build processors.
Materialise says that by deploying customized structural processors, 3D printing parameters will reach the “best point of cost-effectiveness and part quality” for the application. It enables users to fabricate complex parts and mass-produce identical or custom products with consistent quality, reduced reject rates, and shorter lead times. This should then enable users to “make more 3D printing use cases more sustainable and drive the industrial adoption of the technology.”
Build processors co-developed with BP SDK provide full connectivity to CO-AM and Materialise Magics.
Source: www.materialise.com
Photos: www.materialise.com (press materials / all rights reserved)
