UKM-SUM23-PG24+25_Layout 1 27/04/2023 11:49 Page 24


3D PRINTING


ENGINEERING CONFIDENCE


Doug Kenik, director, SW Product Management at Markforged, explains how simulation software saves time, materials and instils confidence in additive...


credibility - engineers need assurance that each part they design and build will be strong and hard-wearing enough to bear the required load and tolerate perpetual use.


E


Engineers have used additive manufacturing (AM) to print various production components, including fixtures and jigs for a number of years. Some have been slower to apply the same technology to produce critical end-use parts, however. This reticence typically comes down to whether they are confident enough that the part in question will be strong enough to withstand its usage demands. Previously, either trial and error or overdesigning parts were the main options to measure the strength of additive manufactured parts. Both approaches have their drawbacks and have resulted in wasting time, materials and throughput - all of which contribute to higher manufacturing costs that can limit the advantages AM has over traditional machining. Using simulation software to model the as- printed performance in advance of printing the part has changed this, opening doors for engineers to save time and costs when it comes to building end-use parts.


BUILDING CONFIDENCE THROUGH VALIDATION


Virtual testing at the design and manufacturing stage enables engineers to automate the validation process for end-use printed parts without time and material-intensive processes. Simulation software provides engineers with the detail, information and confidence


ngineers and technicians need to have confidence in the parts that they manufacture. To avoid pitfalls and potential damage to manufacturing lines - as well as to their own


24


Summer 2023 UKManufacturing


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  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56