ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
a boundary representation, or b-rep, which is a collection of surfaces that represent a structure. Tose surfaces are glued together with topology information, such as lines, edges and vertices.”
Tis system has been around for a long time, and works well for moderately complex structures that are largely conducive for subtractive engineering. However, with the complexity that additive manufacturing provides this representation can break down. Managing such topology can become extremely complex and fragile, and traditional CAD systems can struggle to cope with this. “Instead, we represent complex geometry with a single mathematical function that is built up as you interactively create the design of your part,” he continues. “You can then use this information to render the boundary of the structure, meaning that any complex structure can be represented with a mathematical equation that is fully evaluable. Tere are a couple of benefits to this. Te first is that it is extremely fast, and the second is that the file sizes representing these complex geometries are small. Tis can be described as implicit geometry, a kind of big locker within our platform that enables us to design with complexity.” Tis links in with the second aspect
of nTopology’s platform: its automation capabilities, made possible via a visual programming paradigm. McDevitt explains, “You build up
your design with a system of blocks that have inputs and outputs, with each block representing your design intent. So, the
engineer doesn’t have to physically draw features like ribs or surfaces but instead instructs the block what to do. Ten, the block produces a physical representation of the structure.”
Tis implicit geometry capability allows engineers to work off the basis of intent by leveraging programming language to produce a physical representation of the desired part, without having to draw thousands of features which would be an impractical and extremely slow process. Te platform’s automation also opens up designing for additive manufacturing (DfAM) to engineers who do not possess high levels of coding and programming knowledge.
“Te block system is easily shareable with casual users of the software, not everyone is an expert,” McDevitt adds. “It is very easy to package up blocks, define
DfAM software is helping engineers to lightweight parts in a wide range of industrial sectors
a couple of inputs and outputs, and then give this to an operator who perhaps doesn’t have deep design domain expertise, and they can still take it and modify it in the required way. One example of this is dental brackets or transparent orthodontic aligners which are individual to each patient, but which can be automatically customised off the basis of a pre-designed block logic with the addition of a patient’s anatomical scan. Te manufacturing files are then automatically created and made available for printing.” Tis feature also allows for the creation of custom blocks that enable the adaptation of a workflow or design process, which can then be packaged up and shared with non- experts.
The software is based on a visual programming paradigm
LIGHTWEIGHTING WITH DFAM For high level industrial applications, lightweighting essentially involves doing more with less, such as making a part stronger using less material. However, there is generally a trade-off between cost and the method used to achieve this. With subtractive engineering, the more you take
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