At the recent formnext show, AddUp and ESI Group presented “Distortion Simulation AddOn,” an ergonomic and accessible simulation module they jointly designed specifically for metal additive manufacturing.
AddUp is a leader in industrial solutions for additive manufacturing, and ESI Group is a leader and pioneer of virtual prototyping solutions based on material physics.
The Distortion Simulation AddOn module will enhance the range of functions of the AddUp Manager software for the definition and production tracking of parts in additive manufacturing.
Controlling manufacturing processes
Optimizing process parameters is a crucial stage in additive manufacturing and a driver of competitive differentiation. Manufacturers, according to their specific applications, must be able to focus available machine times either on production or on process optimization.
Traditionally, production validation has meant producing parts, then assessing their conformity. Introducing a simulation tool often limited expert users, requiring multiple feedback loops between different functions, and creating discontinuity over the digital chain.
By integrating simulation directly in the preparatory stages of additive manufacturing, Distortion Simulation AddOn brings continuity to the production process. The AddUp Manager user interface, intuitive and stable, offers a working environment for defining simulation parameters, particularly for staff who are not experts in this field.
“With this simulation technology we can help our customers improve their operational efficiencies and responsiveness, by increasing the number of first time right parts,” explains Vincent Ferreiro, CEO, AddUp. “Thanks to its accessibility, Distortion Simulation AddOn will appeal to a range of users, requiring a short learning curve. This tool will help them maximize the potential of our FormUp machines.”
Combined expertise has enabled AddUp and ESI Group to generate results that matter to industry, taking all production parameters into consideration. The process is based on a succession of simple, guided steps. The level of detail is configurable according to customers’ needs: from optimizing industrial production to verifying small series.
Simulation results allow physical characteristics of parts, displacements, strains and residual stresses, to be correlated with the feasibility criteria calculated upstream of production. This enables users to anticipate risks of production downtimes due to collisions of the roller or scraper. At the end of the process, a modified geometry is generated. Based on predicted deformations due to the process and exportable to STL format, this helps ensure geometrically compliant production.
Distortion Simulation AddOn will be available in the spring of 2019.
AddUp
www.addupsolutions.com
ESI Group
www.esi-group.com
