Formnext Germany

Siemens Releases New Simulation Software to Prevent Part Distortion

Share this Article

Siemens, which already offers several simulation software products, is introducing a new Additive Manufacturing Process Simulation solution for the purpose of predicting distortion during 3D printing. The product uses a digital twin to simulate the build process prior to printing, anticipating distortion and compensating for it by generating a corrected geometry. It’s intended to help manufacturers get a perfect print on their first attempt, reducing waste of material, time and money.

“Using the Simcenter 3D AM Process Simulation solution at toolcraft will allow us to complete our additive manufacturing workflow,” said Christoph Hauck, managing director, MBFZ toolcraft GmbH. “Through real-world testing, we have gained confidence that the Siemens AM Process Simulation solution will assist us in ensuring quality output from our print process.”

Heat is generally used to fuse layers of a metal 3D print, and as those layers build up, the residual heat can cause parts to warp inside the 3D printer. This can result in everything from structural issues to total print failure. It can be a major issue that can be difficult to avoid without simulation, making a solution like this one extremely valuable. The new process simulation product is integrated into the Powder Bed Fusion process chain in the Siemens PLM Software Additive Manufacturing portfolio. It provides a guided workflow to the user that allows for the assessment of distortions, the prediction of recoater collisions, prediction of areas of overheating, and provides additional valuable information about the 3D printing process.

The new product allows manufacturers to iterate on a solution between the design and build tray setup steps and the simulation step. According to Siemens, this closed feedback loop is possible thanks to the tightly integrated nature of the company’s digital innovation platform. The simulation data feeds into the digital thread of information, which informs each step of the 3D printing process.

What Siemens calls a “digital backbone” allows the system to develop pre-compensated models and to feed them seamlessly back into the model design and manufacturing processes without additional data translation.

“This solution is the latest addition to our integrated additive manufacturing platform, which is helping customers industrialise additive manufacturing by designing and printing useful parts at scale,” said Jan Leuridan, senior vice-president for Simulation and Test Solutions at Siemens PLM Software. “By using a combination of empirical and computational methods we can increase the accuracy of the simulation process, feeding the digital twin and helping customers better predict their real-world print results. We have proven this over months of real-world testing with some selected first adopter companies. Providing corrected geometry and closed loop feedback can ultimately allow our customers to get better results from their additive manufacturing processes, helping to achieve that first-time-right print and realize innovation with this technology.”

The AM Process Simulation solution is expected to be available in January 2019, as part of the latest NX software and Simcenter 3D software.

Discuss this and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your thoughts below. 

 



Share this Article


Recent News

MetalWorm Sells WAAM Systems to Research Institutes in Brazil and Malaysia

Rocket Lab and Nikon SLM Solutions Sign MoU for New Large Metal 3D Printing Systems



Categories

3D Design

3D Printed Art

3D Printed Food

3D Printed Guns


You May Also Like

3D Printing News Briefs, June 4, 2025: Full-Color Slicer, Denture Implants, & More

In today’s 3D Printing News Briefs, we’ll start with some software and post-processing news, and then move on to a case report in which digital dentistry was successfully used. Read...

GKN Aerospace Adds Interspectral’s AM Explorer Software to its 3D Printing Workflow

GKN Aerospace, the UK-based leading manufacturer of aircraft components, has adopted AM Explorer, a platform made by Swedish software firm Interspectral, at its Centre of Excellence for Engine Systems in...

3D Printing News Briefs, May 24, 2025: Commercialization, Acquisition, & Facilities

We’re all business in today’s 3D Printing News Briefs! Titomic and nuForj have announced a strategic partnership, and AMETEK is acquiring FARO Technologies. CDG 3D Tech opened an Additive Manufacturing...

Nikon Advanced Manufacturing & America Makes to Develop Aluminum Powder Dataset

Nikon Advanced Manufacturing Inc. (NAMI), the Long Beach-based end-to-end metal additive manufacturing (AM) firm, has announced that the company is partnering with the Manufacturing USA Institute America Makes to develop...