Andrew Allcock

Additive manufacturing design and simulation tools collaboration between Stratasys and e-Xstream engineering

News
1 min read

​Stratasys is targeting increasing the adoption of Stratasys 3D printing technology in key manufacturing sectors, including aerospace and automotive, via a collaboration with ‘e-Xstream engineering’, described as a world leader in multi-scale modelling of composite materials and structures.

Central to the collaboration is the objective to develop predictive simulation solutions for Stratasys’ Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology to enable the production of tighter tolerance, higher performance parts. This is aimed at being achieved in conjunction with e-Xstream engineering’s standalone material modelling platform, Digimat, which offers a self-contained module to enable a flexible interface that is accessible for basic to advanced level designers, as well as other users across multiple manufacturing based workflows.

Increased material understanding and greater dimensional accuracy of 3D printed parts to optimise output results and expand the aperture of applications are benefits.

Says Scott Sevcik, VP manufacturing solutions at Stratasys: “Stratasys recognises the importance of simulation and modelling as a way for customers to optimise part production by designing with additive in mind, while ensuring that the material and process will deliver ‘print right the first time’ assurance.

“For engineers to unlock the design freedom that additive manufacturing offers, they need tools for accurate and effective analysis. We are happy to be collaborating with simulation leaders, such as e-Xstream, whose customised tools are a key contributor to enabling additive manufacturing to become a high-performance production technology.”

Core functions of the collaboration comprise:

  • Process simulation applied to the design-to-3D-print workflow to achieve the high accuracy and repeatability required by manufacturing users. Advanced numerical tools are needed to predict and mitigate part warpage as well as realise the impact of design decisions on the manufacturing process before the part is produced.
  • Material engineering to create a framework and methodology for characterisation by understanding the key parameters driving the material’s behaviour. This framework will support the accelerated development and optimization of future material system solutions.
  • Part performance predictions that are applied daily to complete the engineering workflow for traditional manufacturing processes, providing the product designer with an accurate early design. The extension of Digimat’s structural analysis solution for FDM will predict part performance (stiffness, strength, etc.) as a function of the material and the printing process parameters, such as printing direction or toolpath.

    • The next release of e-Xstream’s material modelling platform, Digimat, will deliver the first material models of ULTEM™ 9085 resin, a strong, lightweight thermoplastic meeting aerospace requirements, with a complete process package for the Stratasys Fortus 900mc Production 3D Printer. Digimat 2018.0 is available for download now.

    Digimat explained video here.