Automation
Over the past five years, 3D printing has continued to shift from prototyping and small batch production to a mass customization production technology. All major industrial and non-industrial 3D printer OEMs are now striving to integrate their systems into complete end-to-end workflows. While the additive manufacturing process remains the core part of digital production, automating the end-to-end workflow goes well beyond the AM process itself.
It begins with automating and streamlining part design and optimization for AM through DfAM tools, which continues through digital warehouses and digital twins. Designs converge with automated material supply lines for material (for powders, pastes, resins or fibers) handling, as manufacturing execution software (MES) brings together and coordinates 3D printer networks and workflow stations.
Simulation and process monitoring software oversee the AM process all the way to the measurement and NDT, phases recognizing and even correcting errors via machine learning and AI. Robots remove parts from the print platform, as excess materials are recycled and reused. Automated post-processing equipment sinter, heat-treat, cure, polish and smooth surfaces until you get a final, digitally and additively manufactured part. With minimal human intervention. This is the vision. Where do we stand now?Those who build the infrastructure for the digital, additive, automated factory of tomorrow will be at the forefront of the ongoing industrial revolution and additive manufacturing systems are increasingly going to be the core elements within any credible industry 4.0 approach. In this month’s AM Focus, we will look at the latest trends in additive manufacturing automation.
-
POLYLINE automated AM production line installed at BMW
Few companies in the world are doing more to implement AM production lines (and raise awareness around AM possibilities) than BMW Group. In the latest high-profile initiative, the POLYLINE project…
-
FKM invests in Dimensionics Density’s technology
FKM Additive Manufacturing, one of Germany’s largest full-service PBF 3D printing bureaus, has recently invested in technology from Dimensionics Density, a leading automatic density determination technology innovator, to aid in…
-
EOS’s Additive Minds and 3YOURMIND launch Rapid Part Identifier program
EOS North America’s Additive Minds team and 3YOURMIND have partnered to accelerate additive manufacturing adoption through their Rapid Part Identifier program. Now, organizations can benefit from rapid part screening of…
-
Elite Additive Manufacturing to implement MES from AMFG
Elite Additive Manufacturing, a business area of Elite Mold and Engineering Inc. have chosen to utilize AM-specific MES software from AMFG to establish and further their movement into the additive…
-
Understanding and adopting automation for Additive Manufacturing
The additive manufacturing industry has seen rapid advancements in recent years. However, there remain challenges in efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, which hinder its full potential. VoxelMatters has teamed up with…
-
AMFG and Imperial College London awarded Innovate UK funding
Imperial College London and manufacturing software company AMFG have received funding from Innovate UK to advance autonomous 3D printing. The funding, delivered through a management Knowledge Transfer Partnership (mKTP), will…
-
Sculpteo to purchase AM-VISION, AM-SORT and AM-BAGGING systems
Sculpteo, part of BASF and a leading online 3D printing service provider in France, signed a contract with Dutch company AM-Flow to purchase multiple AM-Flow systems and specifically the AM-VISION,…
-
How the Formlabs Automation Ecosystem will eliminate downtime
Leading SLA 3D printer manufacturers Formlabs is starting the new year with a pretty major innovation to increase the productivity of its Form 3/B/+ printers SLA 3D printers. The new…
-
Hexagon invests $100 million in Divergent Technologies
Hexagon AB, a global leader in digital reality solutions combining sensor, software, and autonomous technologies, has invested $100 million (a portion of which is subject to certain regulatory approvals) in…
-
See the new AM-QUALITY system launched at Formnext 2022
As the AM industry morphs from prototyping to high-quality manufacturing, Dutch workflow automation company AM-Flow is officially launching AM-QUALITY, the world’s first AM In-Line Quality Control solution at Formnext 2022.…