Carbon EPU
In Redwood City, California, a team of masterminds is powering the mission of one of the industry's most burgeoning players. Carbon has only been in operation since the summer of 2014 but is already enjoying a palpable presence in the additive manufacturing (AM) space. Its team of software specialists, led by Roy Goldman is crucial to the cause.
Last November, Carbon rolled out the 15th update to the software that supports the company's 3D printing systems. These updates occur every six weeks and are the cornerstone of Carbon's efforts to move its partners to manufacture at scale with Continuous Liquid Interface Production (CLIP) process. Typically, these new software versions are provided without fuss, but the most recent updates were so significant Carbon felt compelled to shout about them.
Now, the software is backed by Finite Element Analysis (FEA), a cloud-based computational feature that enables simulation of the printing process. The incorporation of FEA, an engineering-renowned tool tailored for CLIP, has been two years in development. It understands the physics of the process and the forces at play during builds, which means the user, with the support of Carbon, can make more educated design tweaks. The first target area has concerned the generating of auto supports, which can make the success of first-time prints more likely. Another key focus will look at complex lattice structures, where Goldman suspects the software will shine. Carbon wants to make sure the design of lattice structures is easier to do. This will rely on the help of the client, who will be required to provide a compression and response, detailing how they want the part to perform. Then, the software will be able to harness its capabilities to simulate a wide range of lattice structures and recommend the ideal structure for the desired performance.
Carbon's software is now backed by Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
"Simulate not only printability but simulate [the] behaviour of these complex lattice structures. That's something that I think really sets our FEA apart from some of the existing tools out there," Goldman, Carbon's Director of Software, says. "This world of lattice structures is new and complicated because you have to be able to simulate very thin struts, and a lot of them, in what could be a relatively small part. That can be taxing for traditional simulation technologies."
Immediate feedback has been tremendous, according to Goldman. Partners see the areas of undue stress in a design iteration, highlighted by red dots, and altering angles where necessary, or adding support. It's removing the need to print a design to find out whether the part functions accordingly to their needs, and thus brings with it time and money-saving benefits. For the likes of adidas and Incase, two partners whose projects are reliant on intricate and custom design, the software is providing welcome advancements. "It is very much like optimising for manufacturability," Goldman emphasises.
Carbon EPU mesh
As Carbon works to direct its partners towards manufacturing with 3D printing, it has recognised the need for comprehensive simulation features and a streamlined workflow. The updates made in six-week intervals, meanwhile, are done so in response to customer feedback and ensure Carbon's expertise is accessible to the partners harnessing and applying the technology.
"That train just keeps running," Goldman says, "and every release is a mix of new features, feature improvements that are based on feedback from our customers, [and] bug fixes. It's been a process where not only is the software getting richer but ultimately a lot of how the printer works is controlled by the software itself. What's been exciting is our customers' hardware hasn't changed since they became customers but the software updates alone are making the prints come out better, more reliable, and faster."
Have you got an innovative software application or technology? Applications for the TCT Awards 2018 are now open to companies across the entire design and manufacturing technology ecosystem. A full list of categories, submission criteria and deadlines can be found here.
