Users of Dassault Systèmes 3DExperience platform applications can now design, optimise, simulate and set up AM builds directly for production on Renishaw's AM systems, which build 3D metal parts using laser powder bed fusion technology.
Dedicated CATIA applications include a range of tools to develop and perform topological optimisation of parts. DELMIA is employed to generate the process from build set-up to generation of the necessary laser paths (scan paths). Simulation of the entire AM build, including stress analysis and distortion prediction, is carried out in SIMULIA.
The Renishaw side of this development involves the company’s Quantum AM software. This is designed specifically for Renishaw AM platforms, allowing tighter integration into the machine control software and the ability to accurately and rapidly review all build files for Renishaw AM systems, including those from third-party packages. QuantAM can also be used as a tool to guide design for additive manufacturing (DfAM).
Key in this collaboration and ultimate solution is that both Renishaw and Dassault Systèmes have software that is accessible to authorised third parties. This open ecosystem ethos enables collaboration with other experts working towards the common goal of creating a streamlined AM software experience. In this case, it ensures that the laser paths (scan paths) generated by DELMIA are optimised for Renishaw metal AM systems, producing the best quality builds.
Explains Stephen Anderson, Renishaw's director of group software: “The 3DExperience platform coupled with QuantAM enables parts to be produced accurately from the outset, which is of tangible time and cost benefit to users. It marks the beginning of many enhancements we have in the pipeline to improve the AM user experience and streamline the front end of the manufacturing process.”
This process control software is part of Renishaw's wider mission to provide end-to-end solutions for innovative manufacturing and support the managed integration of AM into the production environment.
