Materialise Announces Enhancements and Access to Metal 3D Printing in Updated Magics 3D Print Suite Software

Belgium-based 3D printer manufacturer Materialise has nearly 30 years of 3D printing experience, with a wide range of 3D printing services and software solutions. The company first released its innovative Magics 3D Print Suite software in early 2016; the platform is the software backbone of its 3D printing solutions, and is meant to offer users a streamlined process for the entire 3D workflow. A batch of new enhancements were announced at the TCT Show in September, the launch of Materialise Magics21 brought updated laser sintering features, and a software upgrade was unveiled in time for formnext 2016, where company executives told us that the industry is growing up, and Materialise is growing with it.

Materialise has announced the latest upgrades and enhancements to its Materialise Magics 3D Print Suite, just in time for the full suite to go on display next week at the 2017 RAPID + TCT conference in Pittsburgh. The first upgrade is the company’s new quality control software, Materialise Inspector. Users can analyze data throughout all production process stages using this control tool, which also optimizes image processing to make post-build analysis more efficient, and can process over 4,000 images in just minutes. Materialise Inspector allows users to feel assured of the repeatable quality, and predict production errors.

Businesses will now be able to have total control, and higher efficiency, over additive manufacturing workflows with the Magics 3D Print Suite’s latest enhancements:

• Materialise e-Stage 7.0: this latest software version for automated support generation in resin-based printers is coming soon, and will improve the efficiency for material consumption and build time. Additionally, new features, and an improved algorithm, have been added, to give DLP 3D printers a dedicated solution.
• Materialise 3-matic 12: the software update accepts a larger variety of FEA file formats for creating lightweight structures and includes improved ways of manipulating and optimizing CAD designs for 3D printing.
• Materialise Robot 5.1: a 3D Nesting module is available in this software update, which optimizes part positioning to save users money, materials, and time within their automated 3D printing workflows.

Because the company also embeds simulation technology into its 3D printing software, Materialise users can simulate builds pre-production, in order to avoid expensive defects and problems in processes, materials, and designs. Simulations can reduce the possibility of having to rebuild, and improve final product quality: these are great benefits for users who work in industries with many precise regulations and manufacturing process certifications, like medical and aerospace.

Bryan Crutchfield, Vice President and General Manager of Materialise North America, said, “The components of the Materialise Magics 3D Print Suite work together to address each step in the 3D printing process and form the software backbone of 3D printing solutions for all businesses and industries, from design optimization and data preparation to production management and automation.”

Perhaps the most exciting software update is that Materialise is now offering its users a user-friendly way to get access to metal 3D printing. Magics Print Metal Software offers expanded software solutions for metal AM machine manufacturers, by streamlining the 3D printing process: it combines basic build preparation with job file generation. This way, customers who needed more advanced data preparation tools can still use the compete Materialise Magics software version, while metal machine manufacturers will be able to use Magics Print Metal Software to tailor the layout, and bundle it so it best fits their machines.

“Demand for 3D printed metal products and components is increasing across several industries, and manufacturers need the tools to adapt and meet this demand. Magics Print Metal extends our existing metal offerings. The Magics 3D Print suite represents the full digital thread, giving metal machine manufacturers the ability to develop, implement and manage each step of the 3D printing process. Now, with the new Inspector software, users can also efficiently analyze data during each step to ensure workflows and products will fit their needs as well as the needs of their customers and partners,” said Crutchfield.

You can check out Materialise’s full range of 3D printing software solutions at booth #1613 at the RAPID + TCT conference in Pittsburgh, from May 8-11. 3DPrint.com will be talking with Materialise there and, as always, bringing you the latest additive manufacturing news from the event as well, so stay tuned for updates next week! Discuss in the Materialise forum at 3DPB.com.