Dyndrite announced the availability of its enhanced Raster and Vector Toolpathing API for additive manufacturing. These toolsets are available for license by machine OEMs developing raster (DLP, LCD, Binder Jetting) or vector-based (DMLS, SLM, SLS) processes, as well as advanced end-customers seeking to accelerate the development and qualification of new machines, materials and geometries – without being forced to reveal IP or employ large, advanced software development teams.
“Generating toolpaths, or instructing a machine on exactly how to build your part, is critical to that part’s ultimate success, especially as the types of parts, materials, and machine capabilities advance. Machine makers and their customers require more sophisticated tools to consistently deliver quality parts, especially, for example, heat exchangers, turbines, and other difficult-to-print geometries, at faster speed,” said Harshil Goel, CEO, Dyndrite.
3D volumetric part segmentation
The more a 3D printer understands what it’s printing, the more likely it will print it correctly. Today, layer-by-layer interrogation strategies enable machines to see up a few layers and down a few layers, providing a “2.5D” look into a 3D part. Unfortunately, this method misses certain feature cases leading to failed prints, or cumbersome work-arounds.
Dyndrite’s 3D Volumetric Part Segmentation capability surpasses existing layer-by-layer-based boolean toolpathing methodologies by using its GPU-based voxel engine to enable true 3D geometric queries into any part. Further, the 3D fields are thresholded and booleaned to enable the assignment of different parameters within a single model. This zoning process allows one to develop robust build strategies that match the geometry being printed, for example resolving large and small features at the resolution of the machine, assigning high-throughput strategies for thicker sections, or implementing machine-based support strategies without having to split CAD models into discrete components.
The Toolpathing API enables new class of part families by aiding in the development of new materials, machines, and bespoke toolpath recipes
True 3D Segmentation enables:
–Volumetric 3D assignment of parameters on each segment based on a number of variables, including distance from upward or downward faces, nearest surface, etc., while avoiding inefficient 2.5D up-skin/down-skin calculations
Generate “feature-aware” machine tiles
Use geometry to programmatically determine finely-graded process parameters
Accurately calculate upskin, downskin, orifice, and fine vertical features
Compensate for other physical differences in a machine, such as laser angle-of-incidence
–Creation of an unlimited number of thresholds, using the API, to deliver accurate parameters to each condition in the build.
Distance thresholds are assigned colors, enabling the use of correct parameters for extremely challenging geometries such as thin walls, vertical features and overhangs.
“True volumetric analysis enables us to identify features that cannot be found using 2.5D analysis of layer data. It also allows us to develop better toolpath strategies in the vicinity of fine features that are generated using any method: CAD Geometry, Mesh data from 3D Scanning, or Implicit Geometry. This goes far beyond layer booleans used to determine upskin and downskin,” said Steve Walton, Head of Product, Dyndrite. “Now we can use 3D fields to assign parameters throughout the build.”
Toolpathing, coupled with Dyndrite’s Python API scripting system, opens the door for workflow automation. New recipes can be explored, tested, and qualified faster.
Additional features
Toolpathing API enables more detailed assignment of parameters throughout the entire workflow, that includes but is not limited to:
● Offsetting Outer Contours and Zones: Apply multiple inner and outer offsets to each contour to improve the accuracy of the parts.
● Process Parameter and Machine Constraint Assignments: Assign geometric and tool parameters to each zone, segment type, and layer
● Machine Tiling: Tiling parameters can be programmatically applied regardless of how many zones are in place
● Process Tiling (Macro Hatches): Create tiling/tessellation on each 2D contour to distribute the physical process in-chamber.
Merging, Sorting, Filtering: Post process all previously created tiles for practical use of the tool and determine tool exposure based on metadata filters, queries, sorting, and machine constraints like gas flow.
● Micro Hatch: Create hatch geometry inside the 2D contours from previously-used steps.
“Users don’t want black box solutions. Lack of transparency and democratization is holding the additive industry back, and it is Dyndrite’s goal to shake things up by bringing advanced toolpath development and mathematics right to the users’ fingertips,” stated Goel. “The users of additive manufacturing devices are often much more sophisticated than the machine vendors give them credit for and the ‘secrets’ are preventing adoption, success, qualification for new applications. This knowledge should not be locked away by existing large or newer machine vendors.”
