SECTION TITLE


ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING


to take images of the build in real-time, while AI models run alongside the images in tandem with brand new aggregation algorithms. Ten, users can export the results from the cloud and perform analyses, comparison and simulation on the detected anomalies layer by layer. Users can select single anomalies, visualise them, increase their size, filter them by volume, and understand their severity.” Detecting and correcting anomalies early in the manufacturing process helps to ensure to success of each build, enabling manufacturers to develop repeatable processes for prototyping and production that result in high-quality parts while reducing costs. “We have a complete solution that is agnostic with respect to 3D printers – all it requires is cameras to provide the images, so there isn’t the need for extra hardware to be added to the printers, meaning it is a cheaper solution that a lot of our competitors,” added Tamarozzi. “Tis makes it a very attractive option for industries like aerospace, where one-off parts are very expensive, or healthcare where repeatability and quality is essential.” Oqton Build Quality is currently undergoing Beta testing with selected manufacturing partners and is operational on numerous production sites, with the final release of the software planned for March.


EMPOWERING FACTORY FLOORS WITH AM


Another key announcement during the show was the launch of Markforged’s newest printer, the FX10, designed to


The SLS 300 system


supercharge productivity and profitability on the factory floor. Sitting between the company’s stalwart X7 and large-format FX20 printers, the FX10 features built- in automation for quality assurance and print routines that are designed to deliver strong and accurate prints every time. Daniel Leong, Markforged’s Senior


Vega carbon fibre-filled PEKK filament 14 www.engineerlive.com


Product Marketing Manager, talked us through the new machine’s capabilities: “Te X7 is a great machine but needed an upgrade, and we took a lot of the things we learned while developing the FX20 and brought them down to a smaller form factor, to create the FX10. We’ve baked automation into this machine, with lots of sensors that can diagnose what is happening during the build process, and it’s built to be highly modular. From it’s core, the FX10 is built for people working on factory floors who want a machine that can produce high-quality, accurate parts, and who want to rely on the same facilities in different locations. In terms of verticals, the FX10 is suited to a whole range of factory floors, including heavy manufacturing, oil and gas, automotive, tooling and fixtures, consumer electronics and so on.” Designed to ensure easy adoption on the manufacturing floor, the printer’s modular systems can be expanded and upgraded with additional capabilities. For example, it’s possible to incorporate a printhead integrated vision module to capture detailed part images and data to ensure part quality and optimise printer performance. Te Carbon Fibre Reinforcement (CFR) print system delivers high print quality in a heated print chamber allowing for print speeds that are nearly twice as fast – and print


The robotic additive manufacturing cell


sizes that are up to twice as large – as the company’s previous industrial series printers.


Leong went on to outline the


downstream benefits the FX10 can provide for factory floors: “Factory floors have the problem that they need to be dynamic, but generally things that function at a high level often are not dynamic to produce. For instance, if you need a precision CNC machined part, that could take weeks or months to produce and cost thousands of dollars, which means you really need to get it right first time. With the FX10, all of our polymers are inherently strong and you’re able to print a lot of these parts right away in a fraction of the time, while also removing the need for a huge inventory of parts thanks to Markforged’s Digital Inventory.” In addition to the FX10, Markforged also made another notable announcement during the show: the launch of its new ultra-high performance material specifically designed for 3D printing aluminium-strength aerospace


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52