The collaboration centres on new developments in the virtual validation of the additive manufacturing (AM) process. Dassault Systèmes and APWorks will extend the capabilities of the “Co-Design to Target” industry solution to develop an integrated process that provides digital continuity for all engineering parameters across the value chain necessary for the AM production of a part. This will make the AM process, from design optimisation up to production, replicable and scalable.
Dassault Systèmes’ and APWorks’ new end-to-end process will deliver a single source of data to address upstream material design and downstream manufacturing processes and testing. The integration of 3D design combined with engineering and simulation optimizes parts for additive manufacturing, enables standardized parameters and therefore allows certification standards. Subsequent steps such as testing, optimization and additive manufacturing of a part can be matched to the identified parameters. Original equipment manufacturers can optimize their conceptual designs by connecting with their supply chains to perform virtual validation during each phase and to detect problems before a part is produced.
“The 3DEXPERIENCE platform [Dassault’s term for its combined software offer] is a first important step to replicable and scalable serial production. Simulation can help to predict and avoid part failures,” says Joachim Zettler, CEO, APWorks. “The aviation industry is safety-oriented and new product introductions typically take time. With the virtual validation of the additive manufacturing process, we can expect certified serial additively manufactured parts.”
Michel Tellier, vice president aerospace & defense industry, Dassault Systèmes, adds: “Virtual technologies and additive manufacturing are enabling the industrial world to do more with less waste, weight and costs, as well as freeing designers to explore complex shapes that could not be manufactured using traditional processes. Only by reducing the distance between real and virtual to zero can industry build and experience the future. Dassault Systèmes is joining efforts with leading-edge innovators in this field like APWorks to accelerate technology adoption in the industry.”
