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Desktop Engineering Blog

Simulate 3D printing of a part with Simufact Additive

Posted by Andy Woodward on 21-Jul-2020 13:45:00

Developing the ideal process parameters for 3D printing a part can be expensive: in both time and raw materials.

Developing the ideal process parameters for 3D printing a part can be expensive: in both time and raw materials.  Simufact Additive, from MSC Software and available withing the MSC One flexible licensing solution, allows users to quickly evaluate the effects of part orientation, material selection, machine parameters and post-build operations to reduce the number of test runs required in metal to achieve a minimised distortion and residual stress condition.

This short demonstration shows the steps taken within the software using a part - developed in a previous demonstration - as an example (we used Apex Generative Design to come up with this very organic and unmachinable uncastable part, but one that would be 3D printable).

We now need to determine “is it going to be printable to a satisfactory quality?”

Ths video below compares for different orientations,  which will give a quick overview of how Simufact Additive can be used to shortcut the process of setting up prints of 3D parts in metals.


 

As you can see from the video it’s not a fast process, but it is vastly faster than actually setting up a 3D printer and printing the part, with a cost of hundreds of pounds in machine time and raw materials to decide the best way to produce your part.

 


Simufact Additive is a powerful simulation environment for "right the first time" optimization of powder bed additive manufacturing processes and is available withing the MSC One flexible licensing solution. 

MSC One brochure 2020Simufact Additive predicts distortion and residual stresses in the part and guides the production engineer in how to compensate to ensure a quality part the first time. Process control variables may be selected to optimize the 3-D printing process to reduce time and waste.

  Need more Information on MSC One?

 

 Download the MSC One datasheet & request more information

 

DTE is a Certified Business Partner to MSC Software in the UK and therefore can only advise companies based in the United Kingdom.

Topics: Various - CAD CAM FEA PLM, Hexagon MSC Software