Page 9 - 3D Metal Printing magazine Fall 2022

Tech Update 3D
Commercial Launch of Mantle’s Metal-AM Technology for Toolmaking
Mantle announced the commercial launch and availability of its TrueShape metal-AM technology for toolmaking, designed to simplify how mold-tool components are made and accelerating how manufacturers make molded parts—from product idea to launch.
Mantle’s hybrid technology, additive and subtractive machining with sintering, works together with its proprietary Flow- able Metal Paste in creating high-preci- sion inserts. This singular application focus on toolmaking solutions enables Mantle to optimize the value of its tech- nology for toolmakers, company officials report. Mantle’s technology, they note, reduces the time needed to create tool- ing components by eliminating or reduc- ing many operations traditionally required to make precise, durable steel tool components.
The company’s newly launched tech- nology includes the P-200 printer, a hybrid system built on a CNC platform that integrates printing and machining to produce parts with accuracy and surface finish required for tooling. It features a build volume of 200 by 200 by 150 mm. Also included, the F-200 furnace, which sinters parts from the printer to produce durable and accurate tooling compo- nents. One furnace can sinter multiple parts and support multiple printers. The setup works with Mantle-supplied H13 and P2X tool steels that reportedly per- form similar to traditional tool steels in
Fathom Manufacturing printed these cavity and core inserts using Mantle’s TrueShape metal- AM technology.
secondary operations such as machining, polishing, coating and laser welding.
Simple-to-use software, note Mantle officials, automates the printing process, including the generation of all toolpaths and machine instructions.
This product launch follows the suc- cessful delivery of multiple Mantle beta systems. One beta user, Fathom Manu- facturing, a North American on-demand digital manufacturing platform that exhibited Mantle-produced tooling seen by 3D Metal Printing at IMTS 2022, reports having reduced its tool- making time by 45 percent via this tech- nology by eliminating or reducing multi- ple operations, including CNC milling, EDM and polishing.
Mantle: www.matle3d.com
Hexagon, Raytheon Technologies Develop AM-Build Simulation Software
A simulation tool for evaluation and optimization of metal-AM processes through the prediction of thermal histo- ry and defects at the laser-path and powder-layer scale has been developed by Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelli- gence division and Raytheon Technolo- gies’ Pratt and Whitney business. The new software will predict defects before the expensive and time-consuming printing process begins, with this analy-
sis helping designers and engineers evaluate the print outcome and test combinations of materials, geometries and print processes.
The software, to be made available to companies engaged in AM and comple- mentary to Hexagon’s existing Simufact Additive tool, offers similarity to the existing Simufact Additive user interface. This allows simple integration into exist- ing manufacturing processes by users without the need for extensive training, according to Hexagon officials. Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence: www.hexagonmi.com
3DXpert Software Now Available Through Altair Partner Alliance
Oqton has added 3DXpert and 3DXpert DfAM (Design for Additive Manufacturing) software as part of the Altair Partner Alliance (APA). The all-in- one software for industrial AM enables Altair’s customers to prepare, optimize and 3D-print high-quality parts quickly by streamlining the workflow from design to printing, according to Oqton officials. Members of the APA can down- load 3DXpert and 3DXpert DfAM on demand as with other APA partner solu- tions. These are available as part of the Mechanical Engineer, Multiphysics/ Mechatronics Engineer and Enterprise suites within the Altair Units license groups.
3DXpert helps users quickly and effi- ciently transition from a 3D CAD model to a high-quality, production-grade 3D- printed part, according to Oqton offi- cials, who note that it can be seamlessly integrated into existing CAD/CAM work- flows sue to its advanced solid modeling capabilities. Stated software benefits include build preparation in a true CAD environment; optimized design struc- tures; minimized manufacturing costs; and expedited design-to-manufacturing process.
Oqton: www.oqton.com
Altair: www.altair.com
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