Enhanced AM Simulation
October 1, 2020
International TechneGroup Limited (ITI), developer of the CADfix CAD geometry translation and repair software, has partnered with Simufact Engineering, part of Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence division. The agreement extends the integration of the CADfix geometry processing technology within Simufact's manufacturing simulation software.
CADfix has been integrated with the Simufact Forming metalforming simulation software for several years, providing automated multi-CAD import, clean-up, simplification and the generation of geometry for use within Simufact Forming. The latest release of Simufact Additive 2020 sees the integration of CADfix extended to provide a new capability. A Simufact Additive CAD export feature uses CADfix geometry morphing to adjust the original CAD model according to the distortions predicted by the manufacturing process simulation, and create a distortion compensated CAD model for use in downstream CAD modeling and simulation applications.
"The simulation process loop from the original CAD model, through CAD import to the simulation and back to CAD, is frequently open with no capability to export simulation results, such as compensated geometries back to native or neutral CAD formats," said a company spokesperson. "This discontinuity in the process chain is now closed with the CADfix geometry morphing and export in Simufact Additive 2020. The original model can now be compensated or distorted by Simufact Additive and then exported to a new CAD file that can be used for further CAM simulations or design work. The time-consuming and inaccurate manual reconstruction of geometries from simulation results is eliminated."
The advanced CADfix morphing process generates clean and accurate model geometry that can be exported back to CAD as a usable model, or to other CAE tools for re-meshing and further analysis. According to the company, the process supports the import of deformation data from various sources and results in the export of a high-quality morphed version of the original CAD model that respects the accuracy, design intent and topological definition of the original design.
"The role of simulation in additive manufacturing (AM) is to uncover the most cost-effective way to create parts right-first-time with a design leveraging the full possibilities of the 3D printing process. Simulation allows this to happen outside of the 3D printing machine, saving material and machine time for production," said Dr. Gabriel McBain, Senior Director Product Management, Simufact Engineering. "Simufact Additive is a powerful and scalable solution that predicts possible manufacturing issues and compensates for distortions due to process-immanent stress and temperature effects. The addition of the CADfix morphing technology in our 2020 release completes a critical link back to CAD and accurate simulation for metal AM."
For more information contact:
International TechneGroup (ITI)
5303 DuPont Circle
Milford, OH 45150
888-783-9199
info@iti-global.com
www.iti-global.com
Simufact Engineering
201 Depot St., Suite 100
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734-994-3800
www.simufact.com
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