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Software streamlines design, simulation and additive manufacturing

Software streamlines design, simulation and additive manufacturing

New Products |
By Christoph Hammerschmidt



Through its PLM software branch, Siemens will offer a software that is said to unleash the full potential of additive manufacturing. The product covers design, simulation, digital manufacturing as well as data and process management. Throughout design, test, and production intelligent product models are being used without the need to convert data back and forth between processes and applications. This makes it possible to widely automate the generative design.

In additive manufacturing, frequently organic shapes are generated that a designer normally would invent. The Siemens software automatically makes suggestions for shapes that are optimized for the intended function, with the potential of 3D manufacturing “in mind” – while conventionally educated designers tend to think in shapes and forms oriented at conventional production methods.

Siemens claims that in combination with state-of-the art 3D printing equipment, the new software enables users to completely redefine their product design and lower production cost by optimizing their products for additive manufacturing. What’s more, designers can reduce the number of components of a module or subsystem by optimizing the shape of the components. As a side effect, products manufactured in 3D printing processes frequently feature less weight – at higher stability.  This in turn can create added value for many industries including automotive, aerospace and medical technology.

Hybrid 3D manufacturing

When designers devise their products, they frequently bear traditional production methods in mind. This limits their creativity and spirit of innovation. Today, many parts are indeed still made through punching, deep-drawing, casting or milling. 3D printing enables completely new ways to manufacture things, and the new software is supporting this approach. Integrated Advanced simulation and analysis enables them to calculate the mechanical and thermal behavior of their designs. Among the new 3D-related techniques covered by the design software are Convergent Modeling and topology optimization. Both enable automated designs based on the Generative Design approach. Convergent Modeling enables engineers to adopt mechanical designs to 3D printing and speed the entire design process. A Scan-to-print function makes reverse engineering more efficient. This modelling paradigm significantly facilitates working with geometries consisting of combinations of facets, areas and solid bodies. Time-consuming data conversion becomes a thing of yesterday.

The second new technique in this context is topology optimization. It helps users to automate iterative processes linked to designing and optimizing components for multi-physics applications, including vibration, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer.

In addition to these techniques,  the software platform also contains a new solution to prepare additional manufacturing involving components consisting of plastic and metal materials. Utilizing the same intelligent product models that already have been employed during the design and simulation phase to automate design modifications and streamline the entire design process.

Siemens’ 3D software solution includes the company’s NX CAx platform, the Simcenter portfolio, a simulation software, and a range of test routines.

More information: https://community.plm.automation.siemens.com/t5/News-NX-Manufacturing/bg-p/News_blog/label-name/additive%20manufacturing

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