Page 6 - 3D Metal Printing Spring 2018

3D EDITORIAL
New Software Releases at
the Center of a Revolution
By Brad Kuvin
By now you’ve likely caught the headlines from the recently released 2018 Wohlers Report on the state of the additive-manufacturing (AM) industry. The report notes an 80-percent increase in the number of metal-AM machines sold in 2017 compared to the year earlier, accompanying notable increases in processing capabilities including upgraded process-moni- toring and quality-assurance technology. The report also highlights new open material platforms and faster print speeds, as well as reduced prices. Also on the rise: the number of companies pro- ducing and selling industrial-AM equipment, up 40 percent year over year.
All of this leads to great optimism for this industry, following alongside wide-reaching opti- mism throughout all of manufacturing for 2018, and perhaps beyond. The recently published 2018 National Manufacturing Outlook and Insights report, developed by LEA Global, offers these insightful trends:
• 81 percent of manufacturers expect revenue increases in 2018. • 44 percent vow to develop new products and services.
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An official publication of
“The RAPID + TCT show will welcome more than 6000 industry professionals, treating them to more than 300 technology exhibits.”
• 50 percent are prioritizing the role of predictive analytics/ERP/IoT.
• 50 percent will increase their hiring.
Exactly how suppliers of AM technology will con- tinue to drive the industry forward comes to light dur- ing the RAPID+TCT exhibition and conference, which lands in Fort Worth, TX, April 23-26. Highlighted in a seven-page feature article in this issue of 3D Metal
Printing, the show will welcome more than 6000 industry professionals, treating them to more than 300 technology exhibits as well as a robust conference featuring more than 200 presentations.
As noted in the Wohlers Report, new-technology developments continue to drive the acceler- ated pace of AM adoption, in particular metal printing. And while show visitors will spy plenty of new printing machines, metal-alloy powders and post-processing equipment, from my perspec- tive it is the new software entering the market at an unbelievably quick pace that promises to make the most impact. Examples:
• VeriCut version 8.1 CNC-machine simulation from CGTech, verification and optimization software, now with additive capabilities;
• Additive Intelligence software from SLM Solutions that promises to minimize supports with an optimized exposure strategy, and guide users to optimum plate positioning;
• Simufact Additive software, from MSC Software, which provides information about distor- tion and residual stresses, and helps develop suitable countermeasures; and
• An enhanced version of AutoMat3D software from PostProcess Technologies, which analyzes support and build structures and then develops post-printing recipes.
3D Metal Printing magazine is a media sponsor of RAPID + TCT. Our editors will be closely surveying all of the action on the show floor and in the conference sessions. Please stop by and see us at booth 3410!
Editorial Director bkuvin@3DMPmag.com
4 | 3D METAL PRINTING • SPRING 2018
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