Page 10 - 3D Metal Printing Winter 2018

3D TECH UPDATE Advanced AM-Simulation Software
Genoa 3DP Simulation, an additive-manufacturing (AM) design tool and software suite from AlphaStar Corp., simulates the 3D-printing process to accurately predict the
deflection, residual stress, damage initia- tion and crack- growth forma- tion associated with as-built AM parts. Advanced multi-scale progressive- failure-analysis methods are used to repli- cate the entire 3D-printing process from
material characterization to advanced structural analysis in order to determine voids, delamination, manufacturing anomalies, and other irregularities and inefficiencies.
The software suite provides end users with the ability to import an STL file/G-Code, generate a structural mesh, run analysis and optimize the build in order to reduce weight, reduce scrap rates, improve performance and meet specifications. Among numerous highlights, it identifies parameters to be changed to improve the manufac- turing process: printing speed, intrusion distance, material temperature, ambient tem- perature, material type, inclusion orientation, aspect ratio and more.
AlphaStar Corp.: www.alphastarcorp.com
PADT and Stratasys Team to Open AM Lab in Denver
Phoenix Analysis and Design Technologies (PADT), Tempe, AZ, an engineering product and services company, and Statasys Ltd., Minneapolis, MN, a provider of AM equipment and services, have helped open the Lockheed Martin Additive Manufactur- ing Laboratory at the Metropolitan State University (MSU) of Denver. The center fea- tures the Stratasys Fortus 900mc production 3D printer and is funded through a grant from Lockheed Martin Space Systems. It reportedly is the only such facility located at a higher-education institution in the Rocky Mountain region.
“The Lockheed Martin Additive Manufacturing Laboratory is a major development in the progression of additive-manufacturing tooling applications,” says Rey Chu, prin- cipal and cofounder, manufacturing technologies at PADT. “The expertise and dedica- tion of Stratasys and PADT, combined with the generosity of Lockheed Martin and MSU Denver’s vision for advanced workforce development from MSU Denver, will help propel our industry far beyond where it is today.”
Adds Tim Schniepp, director of composite solutions at Stratasys, “Students and
local businesses now will have access to leading 3D-printing solutions for devel- opment of composite structures— enabling manufacturers to save time and money, and solve even their most unique design challenges. The lab will quickly become a cornerstone of additive-manu- facturing innovation across the state of Colorado.”
Initially deployed at MSU Denver, the AM curriculum will later become avail- able for use by other academic institu- tions across the country. Additionally, PADT will work with MSU Denver, Lock- heed Martin and other users to build a Fortus 900mc Users Group within the Rocky Mountain region.
Phoenix Analysis and Design Technologies: www.padtinc.com Stratasys: www.stratasys.com
AM Blast-Finishing Stations
Surface-finishing equipment manufac- turer Guyson International offers a range of finishing stations and related equip- ment for AM applications. The Euroblast 6 AM finishing station is designed specif- ically for surface-finishing stainless-steel-, aluminum-, titanium- or Inconel-built components, often used in aerospace and medical applications. Some of these materials can create explosive dust when blasted, so special provisions are made with these blast systems to mitigate those risks.
These systems come with full earth braiding to the cabinet, gun, dust collec- tor and hose, and include ground nuts on all the main contact points to prevent static-spark generation. Also, anti-static fabric gauntlets allow greater flexibility for operators when blasting while pre- venting the escape of media. Also exter- nally located LED lighting enables good illumination of the blast area.
Guyson International: www.guyson.co.uk
8 | 3D METAL PRINTING • WINTER 2018
3DMPmag.com