Novineer’s generative optimization system [Source: Novineer]

Stratasys announced a very interesting partnership with Novineer.

Stratasys produces industrial 3D printers, along with materials and software support. Novineer is a Florida company that makes software for 3D model optimization. Their generative design software can tweak a 3D model to make it more efficient in specified mechanical situations.

The partnership’s goal is to integrate Novineer’s generative smarts directly into Stratasys’ GrabCAD. GrabCAD is the software used by Stratasys customers to prepare print jobs for their equipment — every Stratasys customer uses GrabCAD.

How does it work? Stratasys explains:

“Novineer’s technology will use GrabCAD toolpath data to simulate part behavior in real-world applications. By accounting for build orientation, layer direction, infill patterns and material-specific properties, the solution delivers prediction accuracy that early customers report enables weight reductions of up to 35% on load-bearing parts.”

This is quite interesting because it is very different from traditional simulations, which assume that parts are made from materials that are uniform in all axes. In fact, 3D printed parts are made from layers of material where the weakest areas are the joins between layers.

Evidently the new Novineer system uses the tool path — which tells it where the layers exist — to generate the optimized design. The results would be highly applicable to 3D printed parts, unlike traditional analysis that has no knowledge of the toolpaths and layers.

This development could save Stratasys customers a considerable amount of money. Typically parts are developed on an iterative basis, with at least several iterations required before a final design arrives. The new generative analysis should cut that down considerably, saving both time and cost of materials.

Stratasys explained that the new feature will be integrated into GrabCAD Print Pro, and initially for their FDM systems. They also say there is a roadmap for their other 3D print processes, which might include SAF and SLA.

There’s a material angle here too. The strength analysis would depend on the strength of the materials used in the print, therefore Novineer must know which material is being used. For this, Stratasys is certifying several specific materials for use with the Novineer software, including Antero 800NA, Nylon 12CF and ULTEM 9085. They plan to add more as time passes.

Stratasys explained that the software should begin to be seen by early access customers in 26Q2.

This could be a big deal, as it should permit Stratasys customers to dramatically shorten their workflow to producing optimal part designs. It could allow customers that previously did not make extensive use of simulations to easily generate far better part designs.

Via Stratasys and Novineer

By Kerry Stevenson

Kerry Stevenson, aka "General Fabb" has written over 8,000 stories on 3D printing at Fabbaloo since he launched the venture in 2007, with an intention to promote and grow the incredible technology of 3D printing across the world. So far, it seems to be working!

View all of Kerry Stevenson’s posts.

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