French 3D printing service Sculpteo has developed Agile Metal Technology software which can improve the success rate of 3D printing metal.

3D printing metal is a complicated and expensive process (more information here). It often results in multiple costly iterations before a print is final. However, Sculpteo has unveiled a software suite at CES 2017 this week which could change this.

They’ve called it the “Agile Metal Technology” system. The software will provide automation, management, and optimization for the process of metal additive manufacturing. Agile Metal Technology will discover and fix designs ready for metal 3D printing.

Clement Moreau, CEO of Sculpteo, explained in a press release: “Metal 3D printing offers the possibility of building new parts with complex geometries that are not possible with traditional methods, however getting metal additive manufacturing right is a serious challenge.”

Along with the suite, Sculpteo will offer 3 new materials: Aluminium (SLM technique), Titanium (DMLS) and Stainless Steel (DMLS).

Benefits of Agile Metal Technology

There are six different aspects to the new service. Sculpteo calls these services Design Optimizer, Business Case, Lattice Generator, Support Optimizer, Post-Processor and Batch Controller.

• Design Optimizer analyses the compatibility of your design for metal 3D printing. It considers heat constraints, problematic features and will suggest the best orientation for printing along with any modifications.
• With “Business Case”, a self-learning artificial intelligence will be on hand to assess a CAD file. This will be done automatically and will decide whether your design is right to 3D print in metal. Any possible risks are calculated here, giving you a chance to rework your model without spending money on a first iteration.
• As well as this, with the Lattice Generator, you can review weight reductions and the cost of the print.
• Support Optimizer works on supports for metal printing.
• Also available is the Post-Processor which, as you might expect, evaluates any post-processing requirements.
• Currently, Sculpteo has a batch control tool, so the Batch Controller is the metal 3D printing equivalent of this.

Sculpteo’s Clement Moreau said: ”As the complexity of additive manufacturing grows, it is difficult to get the necessary information to make the project go smoothly. Experts and specific software exist, but they are extremely expensive, and add to production time.” We’ll see how easily Agile Metal Technology can change this.

The software will be available in 2017. We’ll keep you updated.

(Source: Sculpteo)