Page 12 - 3D Metal Printing Winter 2020

3D Challenges Push Post-Processing Innovation
processing technologies,” says Dr. Chris- tian Haecker, head of the Oerlikon AM Industrialization unit.
Says Dr. Wolfgang Hansal, managing director of Hirtenberger Engineered Sur- faces: “(Our process maintains) the full freedom of the printed-parts design, while allowing cost efficient post-processing. Closing the interfaces along the produc- tion chain from post-processing back to construction, design and printing is key for the establishment of reliable AM, from prototyping to large-quantity serial pro- duction. For these reasons, Oerlikon AM is an important partner.”
The two companies intend to bring this technology jointly to the North Amer- ican market in 2020.
Oerlikon AM: www.oerlikon.com Hirtenberger Engineered Services: hes.hirtenberger.com/en
Digital Thread Extends Through to Post-Processing
...is the way PostProcess Technologies officials describe the purpose of the com- pany’s Connect3D software platform, now in alpha testing. The AM digital thread currently captures data for design and print phases, they say, but the thread ends prior to crucial post-processing. Con- nect3D enables PostProcess machine offerings to leverage native CAD-file or 3D printer sliced files to automatically define the necessary requirements and algorithms for post-printing. The digital thread reportedly allows the software to become progressively smarter and more efficient in the decision-making required to deliver optimal post-printing results. Connect3D, designed for a range of metal and polymer materials, imports most native CAD formats. In practice, the soft- ware ingests files from the design and build steps of the process, and reads that data to recommend post-processing pro- grams for Automat3D, the PostProcess machine operating system.
Automat3D controls all aspects of oper- ation, including support removal and sur- face finishing. Automated alarms and warnings calibrate to users’ specific needs, to minimize or eliminate human error
PostProcess offers Automat3D machine-operating software with a sophisticated finishing algorithm, and Connect3D software that reads design and print data to recommend post-processing programs to Auotmat3D.
10 | 3D METAL PRINTING • WINTER 2020
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arising from system operation—lower water, low psi, chamber door open, non- optimal pH, etc.. The software constantly shows critical part information in order to optimize temperatures, psi ranges, maintenance schedules, cycle durations and agitation settings. It allows for remote monitoring via the Windows Team Viewer.
Coinciding with formnext, PostProcess announced a $20 million Series B Round of funding and expansion further expan- sion into European markets. The Series B funding, led by financial investor Grand Oaks Capital, is expected to accelerate the company’s development of proprietary software, hardware, and chemistry with a focus on data analytics and machine learning.
Also, a year after its launch into the European Union market, the company
has invested in a new Finish3D Bench- marking Lab supported by a substantial grant from French regional authorities. The technology demonstration and cus- tomer support facility, to be located in France, will host benchmark test products and also serve as a training center for European customers. It will replicate the PostProcess demonstration, benchmark- ing and training center at the company’s Buffalo, NY, headquarters.
PostProcess also announced two new European distributors: Cylaos for France and KMC for Nordic countries. And, at press time, the company revealed expan- sion to Asia through an agreement with Japanese distributor K.K. Irisu. PostProcess Technologies: www.postprocess.com 3DMP