UK-based Renishaw, one of the world’s top metrology and spectroscopy companies, is also well-known for its advanced metal 3D printers. The company works to make the technology more mainstream, and is now partnering up with enterprise engineering software provider Altair for a new series of projects with the end goal of bringing metal 3D printing to industrial end users for the purposes of serial production.
“Working closely with Renishaw benefits the development and application of our software to optimize designs for functionality as well as for printability, accuracy and suitability for its designated purpose,” said David Coates, Altair’s Senior Program Manager. “This collaboration helps ensure AM part development, print cycles and scrap rates are minimized for our customers.”
Now, Renishaw is able to leverage all of the software products that Altair has to offer, including its HyperWorks suite with Altair OptiStruct and Altair Inspire.
“Altair is a world leader in simulation-driven design. Research combining their software with our latest systems will give them practical insights that will lead to innovative improvements in their products,” said Stephen Anderson, the AM Business Development Manager of Renishaw Inc.
Altair applies simulation, optimization, and machine learning throughout a product’s lifecycle to transform design and decision-making processes. Using its broad portfolio of patented simulation software allows companies, like Renishaw, to confidently generate reliable, high quality designs that can achieve correct 3D printed parts the first time.
On the flip side, Altair is now using Renishaw’s wide range of metal 3D printers to manufacture products based off their customers’ specific concepts.
“With Renishaw’s help, we are learning about how to best generate and simulate products for multiple laser systems and are actively thinking about laser assignment strategies within our simulation models,” said Coates.
Customers attending these joint events can also engage in 3D design projects with Altair, in order to develop designs that are well-suited for printability on Renishaw’s metal 3D printer range. In addition, any customers that want to design and test the manufacturing of their metal 3D printed parts at one of Renishaw’s Solutions Centers can instead use Altair’s expertise and software.
Anderson explained, “Together with Altair, we are collaborating on customer-focused productivity projects, particularly in the automotive sector, which will lead to significant improvement in part volumes and lower costs per part.”
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