Updated AMPI tool by 3YOURMIND automatically identifies parts for 3D printing

3YOURMIND, a Berlin-based AM software company, recently updated its Additive Manufacturing Part Identifier (AMPI) tool in order to offer users a more advanced and accurate way of determining what parts are well suited for 3D printing. The software update is expected to simplify and improve the AM adoption process across a range of industries.

There are still a fair number of hurdles that must be overcome in the broad adoption and industrialization of additive manufacturing. Part identifying is one of them. In other words, the AM industry and the technology’s adopters have largely realized that while 3D printing can be beneficial and even game-changing in some areas, some parts are still better suited to traditional manufacturing methods.

Determining which specific parts are well suited to AM can be an intensive process, one that requires extensive research and labour. It is no wonder then that software companies have taken up the challenge of automating the part identifying process.

3YOURMIND is one such company, and its new and improved AM Part Identifier gives users the ability to automatically check large part databases and determine which parts would benefit from being 3D printed. More specifically, the software tool indicates whether a company should switch from a traditional manufacturing process to AM for individual parts.

The tool itself incorporates technical and economic analyses which are based on metadata from individual parts, including material selection, quality and production requirements.

“Working closely with customers, we added two new ways to find AM suitable parts: first, it’s now possible for any employee to suggest items for AM by feeding them directly into AMPI,” elaborated 3YOURMIND CEO Stephan Kühr. “Second, by enabling newly arriving print orders to be screened prior to being placed, companies can ensure the items are a definite fit for AM before moving into production. AMPI, alongside our other platforms, enables companies to fully exploit the advantages of additive manufacturing and ensures a significantly more efficient production workflow.”

The updated AMPI software also includes a Use Case Screening feature, which makes it easier for employees (of any department) to check whether a component has the economic and technical feasibility to be 3D printed.

Dominik Lingenberger, AMPI Product Manager, added: “The value the new Use Case Screening directly affects employee’s workflow. Designers, for example, can run new parts through our screening process and check whether they are potential AM parts before they even open a CAD program. They can then create an AM optimized design, avoiding costly redesigning of parts. And this is just one example of how departments can benefit from Use Case Screening.With the new version of the AM Part Identifier, we’ve stripped back the preparatory work and the expertise needed during the whole process of part identification for AM to make it even faster and even to be usable by average employees.”

3D printable parts identified by the software can then easily be transferred into 3YOURMIND’s other software tools for an end-to-end workflow. The company’s full Enterprise software suite also includes part optimization, material selection, price calculation, print job placement and data analysis for optimize the whole process.

Overall, the updates to 3YOURMIND’s AMPI software tool are aimed at making AM adoption easier and more automated for businesses seeking to leverage the benefits of the technology.