Simufact Welding 2020
Here at Formnext 2019, the software companies are out in force, demonstrating how their respective platforms are the best solution for the additive manufacture of parts. Established simulation firm, Simufact, is propelling its technologies to knew areas with additions to both its Additive 2020 and Welding 2020 products.
As with additive manufacturing standards, much of the development in AM simulation software has been focused on powder-bed fusion technologies. In its latest product for welding technologies, Simufact has added simulation software for Direct Energy Deposition (DED) methods of manufacture.
Offered as a module inside its Simufact Welding 2020 software, it enables the user to quickly set up robust DED simulation models by simply importing existing tool paths direct from G-Code instead of defining weld paths manually. The software evaluates the stresses, strains, distortions, thermal history and hot spots during the manufacturing to clearly identify distortions that are out of tolerance, and recommend compensations. Based on this, the user can adapt the G-code to optimize the DED printing process and improve quality.
DED incorporates several metal 3D printing technologies that create parts by melting and fusing material as it is deposited, and is also known as 3D Laser Cladding, Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM), Direct Metal Deposition (DMD), or Laser Metal Deposition (LMD). It’s typical fields of application are repairing and rebuilding damaged parts, but also manufacturing of new large metal parts that may not be possible with Powder Bed Fusion.
“We are seeing significant demand for our new simulation solution because it helps to optimize such cost-efficient deposition production processes. DED offers a lot of innovation potential for hybrid manufacturing that combines conventional manufacturing technologies with additive manufacturing,” explained Dr. Hendrik Schafstall, CEO and Managing Director at Simufact Engineering.
The German engineering company, encapsulated within the Hexagon group, has also added several key features to its Simufact Additive 2020 software including new cost estimation and enhanced collaboration with Materialise and Renishaw.
“Simufact Additive 2020 broadens our scope from pure-play process build optimization software to provide cost optimisation. This new release also underlines our commitment to openness and interoperability with third-party products. We believe manufacturers should start wherever they want in the process to impove quality and efficiency and make additive manufacturing smarter.”
