48 minute read
Design for process
A lack of focus on design for additive manufacturing means 3D printing fails to achieve its full potential. But DFAM doesn’t have to be intimidating, writes Nick Sondej. It’s just another everyday engineering workflow — and one that’s likely more familiar than you might think
Let’s face it: at one time or another, we’ve all probably hit a stumbling block in our design process and thought, “Screw it. Let’s just 3D print it and find out what happens!” I know I have.
The problem is that, far too often, we do this without first tailoring the design to the printing process. Disappointment soon follows, when printed parts break or fail to perform as expected. As a result, 3D printing’s reputation and use as a serious 1 engineering tool suffers.
But good engineering demands both creative experimentation and detailed analytical design. So taking healthy risks and prototyping with uncertainty is a necessary part of the engineering process and 3D printing makes it easy to create a diverse array of part geometries that would challenge the capabilities of other, more traditional methods.
However, 3D printing is just another manufacturing process — or to be more specific, another family of manufacturing processes. If you want to get the most out of your chosen variety of AM, you’re going to have to intentionally design for it. What’s more, this thinking needs to be factored in even at the prototyping stage if you want to rely on 3D printing as a powerful tool at your side.
FALSE STARTS AND HISTORICAL BAGGAGE
It’s no secret that the additive industry’s early days were characterised by unrealistic hype, and we’re still paying for it today. “A 3D printer in every home,” we were told, and, “You can 3D print anything.”
While many 3D printer manufacturers have since seen the light and pivoted towards highlighting intentional DFAM (design for additive manufacturing) and targeted best-fit applications of 3D printing, the echoes of this previous mindset still persist among vendors and users alike.
As engineers and designers, we’d be ridiculed if we
tried to “just injection-mould it”, or “just machine it” on a project, without first considering both the technical and economic requirements of the parts under discussion, as well as the capabilities of the chosen manufacturing process. Typically, once that manufacturing process is selected, we then proceed through an organised design process, in order to ensure that the final component or assembly is designed specifically with the capabilities and limitations of that technology in mind. For example, you might design CNC-machined pockets with corner radii larger than a chosen end mill radius; or injection-mould components with consistent wall thicknesses to avoid warpage during shrinking.
But when it comes to 3D printing, this conventional design for manufacturing wisdom tends to get thrown out the window. Instead, the 3D printer gets treated as a ‘magic box’, capable of printing anything. When poorly optimised designs fail, the tool takes the blame and 3D printing is viewed as unreliable.
The good news is that driving successful 3D printed applications by designing intentionally for your printing technology, is simply designing for a different manufacturing process. It’s straightforward to integrate DFAM into your existing engineering design work as an addition to your array of existing tools. Here’s how that would work, step by step:
1. Uncover the root cause of the challenge you’re trying to solve 2. Identify the economic and functional requirements of potential solutions 3. Choose a specific manufacturing process, AM or otherwise, that can likely meet these requirements
4. Start designing a solution to meet your particular requirements 5. As the design progresses, begin to tailor your design to the chosen manufacturing process 6. Build (via AM or traditional manufacturing) your prototype design 7. Test component(s) and measure performance against desired operation 8. Repeat until a solution is achieved, changing manufacturing processes if necessary
You’re probably realising that this isn’t rocket science. You may even be wondering if I’m wasting your time. I’m not, but you’re right about the first part. DFAM doesn’t have to be complicated, and this workflow is probably similar to how you’re already designing for other manufacturing processes today.
There are two important points to be made about this workflow. First, it takes an integrated approach to 3D printing, adding it to your toolset, without replacing existing tools or encouraging you to view projects only through an additive lens. The world of engineering is large and full of diverse challenges, and you should choose the right tool for the right job.
Secondly, regarding Step #5, you need to consider that 3D printing is not a monolith, but instead an entire family of different technologies, each of which has its own subset of design guidelines and best practices.
There are some similarities among these technologies; for example, 3D printers generally build parts one layer at a time. But even within that 3D printing process characteristic, some processes build layers upwards and others – notably stereolithography (SLA) or some flavours of digital light processing (DLP) – build downwards. Gravity has a very different effect on these processes, and the design of features like cantilevered overhangs must be approached differently based on the target AM process.
●1 Every manufacturing process has its limitations. For example, machining cannot produce a pocket with corner radii smaller than the radius of the endmill ● 2 This 3D-printed CNC tube bending die was designed to incorporate cheap off-the-shelf hardware to add significant strength where the part has reduced strength due to limitations of the 3D printing process (Credit: Markforged)
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
Everything you need to know about designing for a specific 3D printing process could occupy several dozen articles. (And I should know, because I built an entire course around the topic at my previous company.) But in more general terms, there’s an easy set of starting points to improve your DFAM techniques.
First, identify the type of 3D printer you have access to and learn how it builds a part, as well as the physics behind the process it uses (for example, FDM, SLA, SLS, DMLS, and so on). This helps you understand what kind of performance is realistic from the process.
The manufacturer’s website is often a great source for tutorial literature on designing for their process, as well as offering design guides that often detail the geometric limits of the technology, such as minimum feature sizes in different axii. These will help you understand what you can’t do with the technology, but not the full
2
extent of what you can achieve, so don’t limit yourself to only what the supplier showcases.
Second, understand the materials you have available. Data sheets will enable you to compare them to the materials you currently use. Print some test parts and deliberately try to break them, in order to get a real feel for their mechanical properties and performance.
As always, best design techniques are learned by solving an actual problem, not as a theoretical exercise. Have a real project, and search for user groups, design tips and learning materials from others using the same types of printing to do real engineering and design work. Get advice and feedback from your colleagues, as well as external peers using the same technologies.
Finally, remember that 3D printing isn’t your only tool, and that you can often use off-the-shelf components or other traditionally manufactured parts to add capabilities to an assembly, just like you do with any other engineering project.
You won’t become an expert overnight, but you will begin to solve more complex engineering problems with less time and effort, ones that fluidly incorporate clever 3D-printed designs. And maybe, when you think about it, that’s the real magic at work here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Nick Sondej is a mechanical engineer and the Founder & Principal of Matti Group, an engineering services firm with a focus on using advanced technologies to help clients solve technical and business challenges. Previously he was an early employee at Markforged, spending nearly a decade leading the development of an engineering first-principles approach to 3D printing application development, and building the Markforged University additive training curriculum. In his spare time he cooks well, cycles long, and surfs poorly, all with a side order of particularly dumb jokes.
GO FAST CAMPERS TURNS TRUCKS INTO TENTS WITH AUTODESK FUSION 360
A look inside how the Go Fast Campers team designs and manufactures truck-top campers — from 3D modelling to robotic automation.
For years, Wiley Davis made many treks to Baja, Mexico. Packing up 4x4 trucks with motorcycles, bikes, and surfboards, he and his buddies would head south from Montana for off-road adventures and remote, surfside camping.
Davis loved these trips except for one part — the sleeping accommodations. At 6’4”, he simply doesn’t fit in the back of most truck beds. He’d already founded a couple of small businesses designing and manufacturing gadgets and offroad parts. Now, it was time to solve the Baja bed problem.
Go Fast Campers is born
“About four years ago, I was sketching a way to do a truck topper shell that I could actually sleep in comfortably,” Davis says. “At the same time, I
Image courtesy of Go Fast Campers
wanted to find something that would force me to learn how to work on a more complicated project with a lot more people.”
Back home in Montana at his shop, Davis teamed up with a fabricator next door who worked on large expedition vehicles. Within a year, Go Fast Campers was born. Their debut product was a one-of-akind, truck-top camper, which was manufactured in a small, rented shop space. “We had to turn it sideways to get it out the door,” Davis says.
Now, they’ve moved into a much larger manufacturing space and grown from three people to more than 70 employees. And it’s all thanks to the commitment to thoughtful design, quality, innovative manufacturing techniques — and just being good people. GFC is exceptionally transparent on its website, from a detailed look
Image courtesy of Go Fast Campers
into its manufacturing process to visible salaries. “We pay [our employees] the highest starting wage of any manufacturer in the area, if not the state,” reads the GFC site.
The GFC Platform Camper
Go Fast Campers’ products are all designed and manufactured in the United States. The campers are minimalist in their look but rich in details, features, and durability.
The GFC Platform Camper is the flagship product, featuring the “pop-top magic” for effortless camping. According to the company, it’s a Swiss watch masquerading as a truck topper with obsessive attention to detail, down to the hinges and latches. “Nothing on a GFC is an afterthought,” states the GFC website.
They also offer a chase frame for the truck bed and a rooftop tent, which is essentially the upper version of the platform camper.
“Everything is made out of metal with the exception of obviously the fabric inside the cushions and the honeycomb composite roof and floor panels,” Davis says. “Many of these things would have been made with wood, glue, staples, and stuff that will rot. With our campers, you take the cushions out, you open them up, and you can literally hose them inside and out. It’s not going to hurt anything.
The parametric modelling in Fusion 360 is to the point where we can use it for whatever we need. Not having to reimport models and regen or redo all the CAM for every model change saves us a ton of time Wiley Davis, Co-Founder / CEO
It’s very different, and people really like it.”
Best of all? Even 6’4” Davis can get a comfortable night’s sleep.
Manufacturing 140 Versions of a Product
Innovating, designing, and manufacturing three core products is already an impressive feat. But when it comes to providing the campers for individual vehicles, it gets complicated because every truck model is different. Go Fast Camper’s products are customized with parts for over 140 unique truck models. That takes a lot of CAM—and Autodesk Fusion 360 is their chosen platform for all of it.
“Because we were using Fusion 360 for CAM and generating so many parts, we switched to using completely Fusion 360 even on the modelling side,” Davis says. “The parametric modelling in Fusion 360 is to the point where we can use it for whatever we need. Not having to reimport models and regen or redo all the CAM for every model change saves us a ton of time.”
Bringing Automation Into the Mix
For Go Fast Campers, there isn’t a debate about automation. Robotics is an essential part of the business. From the beginning, robots were integral to the design process. The company has a few Universal Robots robot arms in action on the shop floor.
“Robotics is what allows us to have lots of parts and really nice, small, machined aluminium parts instead of something moulded out of plastic,” Davis says.
With over 600 parts in one camper, that’s an intensive manufacturing effort — especially for a small business. One person runs five automated machining cells, and they can change parts in under five minutes.
“Without the robots, we wouldn’t be able to do it,” Davis says. “We’d have so many people standing at machines all day putting parts in and out of machines. These campers would cost twice as much, and it wouldn’t be a viable product at that point.”
The combination of Fusion 360, the Fusion 360 Machining Extension, Haas Automation machines, and robotic arms makes automation increasingly accessible for manufacturing companies of any size.
“With Fusion 360 for our production process and CAM, we essentially have the entire robot system modelled in there,” Davis says. “When we program a new part in Fusion 360, it’s all systematized around a template. You can program a part, and no one has to re-indicate or set up a machine differently. You just program the part machine and the job and run it.”
DEVELOP3D LIVE 2022 PREVIEW
» As we gear up for DEVELOP3D LIVE in Sheffield on 1 November, Stephen Holmes celebrates the importance of gaining new perspectives from others
1 November 2022
Sheffield UK | develop3dlive.com
We never stop learning. Up to and including our last day on this floating rock we stand the chance of uncovering something completely unbeknown to us.
Designers and engineers are by their nature some of the most curious individuals, intent on learning about people, processes and problems that were not even in their purview moments earlier. While DEVELOP3D LIVE is an event where the latest technology affecting product development comes to the fore, I’ve often seen it more as a place for the curious to meet and engage.
If, for example, automotive designers spent their time surrounded by presentations solely about car design, then you would expect that a) those presentations would grow dull, and b) they would be missing out on so many exciting new developments and ideas in other sectors.
In the years we’ve been running the event I’ve learned from attendees – designers and engineers – how they have gone away with a key piece of knowledge they could adopt into their workflow from an industry very different to their own – whether from a presentation, or a chance meeting with another delegate.
Our conference program for 2022 stands to draw as diverse a crowd as always. Vital Auto will showcase an exciting blend of technologies as it explains its role in cutting edge automotive prototyping with a blend of physical and digital tools. Also on the Main Stage, Ocado Technology will lift the lid on the company’s 600 Series robot, built to enable the next generation of grocery fulfilment centres using a radical, additive-first approach to robotics hardware development.
And those are just the start. Elsewhere we have presentations from the established 3D design software vendors at the heart of all our workflows, each one giving an insight into the direction of their tools and the challenges of users that they’re working to overcome.
We have new perspectives on tackling challenges for start-ups, with an expert panel, plus some companies that will explain how they’ve managed to cultivate and scale their ideas.
With manufacturing technologies offering new and better ways to produce products than ever before, we’ve enlisted a panel of experts across hardware and software to give you the inside line on how processes and machinery will evolve, and how this technology can feed back into the earliest stages of the development process to give you the edge over competitors.
There’s also a track devoted to wide range of designers showcasing topics as diverse as how to best adopt more sustainable materials, through to the impact that AI will have on your design process.
Check out the highlights over the next few pages, with many more speakers at www.develop3dlive.com/speakers
And let’s not forget the exhibition, showcasing a whole smorgasbord of technologies from CAD, generative design, topology optimisation, additive manufacturing, AI and 3D printing, to workstations, design viz, VR/AR, simulation, data management, 3D scanning, tolerance analysis and lots, lots more. See pages 54-64.
We hope to see you on 1 November in Sheffield. Never stop learning.
Register FREE now
2022
Ocado’s 600 Series fulfillment robot is born from a 'unique' additive-first approach and the latest topology optimisation techniques
CaptionCOMBINING ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING AND AGILE METHODOLOGIES FOR RAPID ROBOTICS INNOVATION MATT WHELAN, OCADO
Matt Whelan, Head of Engineering for Ocado Technology’s 600 Series bot, will be lifting the lid on the company’s radical additive-first approach to robotics hardware development. This novel design process, which puts additive at the centre and draws inspiration from the world of agile software development, allowed the team to create the world’s lightest and most efficient grocery fulfilment bot.
Additive manufacturing Topology optimisation
Technical documentation Workstations Design team collaboration NEW TECH SHOWCASE AMD // ZEA FLOW ENGINEERING
AMD's Rob Jamieson will present a new graphics driver for Radeon Pro GPUs that promises to boost 3D performance in Solidworks and other OpenGL CAD software (see page 12).
Michael Smith & Philip Taylor, CEO & CTO of Zea will bust the top three myths holding back 3D technical product documentation.
Pari Singh of Flow Engineering will showcase a new collaboration tool for streamlining team engineering processes from requirements, to modelling, to verification.
SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS: A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION CHARLOTTE JONES CALLUM
As the circular economy becomes central to future design, and sustainability at the core of future materials choices, Charlotte will discuss how design and engineering studio Callum is helping clients navigate this transition.
CMF design Sustainable design WHAT’S NEXT FOR DESIGN SOFTWARE?
Featuring Altair, Autodesk, Dassault Systèmes, nTopology, PTC, & Siemens.
Some of the leading figures from the biggest industry brands are taking to the main stage for back to back presentations that will give a glimpse into what is coming next. Focussing on industry trends, real life user cases, and the abilities of next generation hardware, attendees will attain an understanding of where some of their core workflow tools are heading.
Making his first appearance at DEVELOP3D LIVE is new Solidworks CEO Manish Kumar (pictured).
Additive manufacturing Generative design
The Mono R is the first production car that incorporates revolutionary material graphene in its panels, contributing to a kerbweight of just 555kg
BAC MONO IAN BRIGGS
The audience will need to buckle-up as founder and design director Ian Briggs will give attendees an insight into the design and engineering process of the British company’s latest road legal, track-honed car, the BAC Mono R.
This incredible machine fits a new mould of automotive market that is being crafted for those passionate about driving. The development process is just as fast-paced, bringing together generative design, customisation, additive manufacturing and more in order to create a pure driving experience.
Crowd funding Accelerator programs Sustainable design STARTUPS PANEL DISCUSSION
The post lockdown world is now full of hardware start-ups looking to break through with their products. At DEVELOP3D LIVE we have assembled an experienced panel that will look at the methods, programs, and technologies that enable product ideas to grow from an initial spark, into a fullblown go-to-market product. The panel will consist of start-ups that have been there and done it already; experts from the fields of legal, financial guidance, crowd funding and accelerator programs, and much more. Bring your own questions and leave inspired!
Intel CPU and GPU Powered
P16
With built-in ray tracing hardware, graphics acceleration, and machine learning capabilities, the Lenovo ThinkPad® P16 Mobile Workstation is now powered by the Intel® Arc™ Pro A30M Mobile GPU. Uniting fluid viewports, the latest in visual technologies, and rich content creation in a portable 16” mobile workstation. This system combines a fresh, modern look with powerful professional graphics.
• Ray Tracing GPU Hardware
Acceleration
• Dedicated GPU AI
Accceleration
• 4GB High Speed Graphics
Memory • 16:10 Aspect Ratio with 4x Display Options • Lenovo ThinkShield Security • All-new 12th Gen Intel® Core™
HX processors • Software Certifications for
Professional Apps
intel.com/ArcProA30M
Physical & digital prototyping Machine learning
From concept development to design realisation, Vital partners the world’s best-known vehicle manufacturers, automotive designers and engineers
Additive manufacturing Industry 4.0 HOW VISIONS OF FUTURE PRODUCTS COME TO LIFE IN AUTOMOTIVE SHAY MORADI & PAUL HEYS VITAL AUTO
At Vital Auto, Paul and Shay operate at the intersection between analogue and digital. Collectively they are responsible for creating new systems, new tools and producing innovative interfaces and creative strategies that impact consumer experience from end to end. They will explore blending physical and digital prototyping to provide designers with opportunities to enhance their products
DIGITAL MANUFACTURING PANEL DISCUSSION
Up your game for more agile production
Manufacturing and production methods have been thrown into the spotlight recently by pandemic and war. The most agile have jumped ahead from the competition, while others are still looking to make their manufacturing more flexible, reshore some elements, or drive for more sustainable practises. We bring you a panel full of experience – from software to hardware – to help you make the next leap. Experts will lend opinions on optimising workflows for equipment you already own, to the very latest kit to accelerate your business.
3DCONNEXION STAND A4
3Dconnexion is a provider of awardwinning devices for 3D design and visualisation professionals. 3Dconnexion mice are designed to provide a more intuitive and natural way to interact with 3D content and support today's most popular and powerful mechanical engineering and other 3D applications.
From its SpaceMouse 3D mice to the CadMouse, 3Dconnexion products are said to provide a superior way for CAD professionals to interact with and experience the digital world.
With a SpaceMouse, users have the ability to simultaneously pan, zoom and rotate models while the regular mouse stays in its regular place.
www.3dconnexion.co.uk
3DPRINTUK STAND A34
Focused on production runs, 3DPRINTUK bridges the gap between additive manufacture and injection moulding for plastic items. According to the company, the viability of using SLS as an alternative to injection moulding kicks in with smaller items; there are no set-up fees only a unit cost, so for small parts with volumes of up to 10,000 units, it’s a ‘no brainer'. The more complex the part, the higher the viability as tooling costs increase. 3DPRINTUK focuses on low to mid volume batch production using in house SLS printers. CAD files can be uploaded for an immediate quote or the Pricing Estimator App used to get a cost for printing your part.
www.3dprint-uk.co.uk
ADDITIVE-X STAND A24
Additive-X has 30+ years of experience in building relationships and knowledge bases with the best manufacturers. The company doesn't just sell 3D printers, it provides ‘best-in-class' additive manufacturing solutions with full certified technical support, training, and brand specialists.
Additive-X offers impartial advice on the wide range of technology it offers and its technical support, sales and customer service teams have developed a wealth of experience in many industries.
The company is an authorised reseller and trusted partner of Formlabs, Lynxter, Markforged, 3DGence, Ultimaker, BCN3D, Builder, AMT & Mayku.
www.additive-x.com
ALTAIR STAND A7/A8
Altair provides software and cloud solutions in simulation, high-performance computing (HPC), data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI). Altair’s simulation-driven design approach to product development, where simulation technologies are used early in the development process, enables designers, design engineers and simulation specialists to make more informed design decisions earlier, reducing the need for repeated design iterations and extensive prototype testing.
Altair Inspire helps users to create designs that achieve better performance and manufacturability, and SimSolid is a ‘revolutionary structural analysis solution.'
www.altair.com
GOLD SPONSOR
AMD STAND A40/A41
For more than 50 years AMD has driven innovation in high-performance computing, graphics and visualisation technologies. Billions of people, leading Fortune 500 businesses and cutting-edge scientific research institutions around the world rely on AMD technology daily to improve how they live, work and play. AMD employees are focused on building leadership highperformance and adaptive products that push the boundaries of what is possible.
www.amd.com
PRINCIPAL SPONSOR
AUTODESK VIRTUAL SPONSOR
Autodesk makes software for people who make things and helps people imagine, design and create a better world. The company's manufacturing software helps you machine, print, inspect, and fabricate better quality parts, faster. Manufacturing solutions for CAM, additive and composites can help you manufacture large moulds, automate machining, integrate design with manufacturing, and much more.
Autodesk says that with its manufacturing expertise, you are able to automate, optimise and connect all your manufacturing processes. The company's Cloud-Connected Manufacturing allows you to collaborate and manufacture ‘anytime, anywhere.'
www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview
GOLD SPONSOR
BOSTON MICRO FABRICATION STAND A48
Boston Micro Fabrication (BMF) specialises in micro-scale precision 3D printing.
The company’s microArch 3D printing system uses a proprietary approach to 3D printing called PμSL that leverages light. It enables the technology to produce what BMF describes as the industry’s most accurate and precise high-resolution prints at an imperceptibly small scale for commercial manufacturers.
BMF states that the technology represents a true industry breakthrough by empowering product manufacturers to capitalise on the benefits of 3D printing without sacrificing quality or scale.
BMF has offices in Singapore, Boston, Shenzhen and Tokyo.
www.bmf3d.com
CIMPA STAND A35
CIMPA, a specialist in PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) services and a subsidiary of Sopra Steria, provides end-to-end services in consulting, information systems integration, business processes and support.
CIMPA guides and supports its clients in their digital transformation, in various industries such as aerospace, defence, transportation and energy.
According to the company, its added value lies in its ability to meet the strategic and operational challenges of its clients.
CIMPA has over 1,400 employees in Europe.
BOXERSOLUTIONS STAND A26
BOXERsolutions' aim is to exploit the power of digital geometry.
BOXERgeom’s Digital Geometry kernel supports voxel-based AI and Machine Learning, and can help digitalise workflows to support ‘innovative design', Digital Twins & MRO and Design optimisation freed from the constraints of BREP NURBS.
BOXERmesh is a fully parallel mesh generation program for creating bodyfitted, CFD-style unstructured grids around complex 3D geometry, for use in standard commercial and open-source CFD solvers.
BOXERsolutions has a background in aerospace, turbomachinery and combustion.
www.boxersolutions.com
BRONZE SPONSOR CONCURRENT DESIGN GROUP (CDG) STAND B60
CDG is a leading supplier of 3D printers, 3D scanners and 3D software. With 3D Systems it offers the Figure-4 Standalone and Modular DLP printers and others. It also supplies 3D printers from Intamsys, Omni3D, Sinterit, as well as the Fusion EDGE and Zmorph i500.
CDG supplies Einscan, Freescan UE Pro and Evatronix 3D scanners. The company's software solutions include Geomagic Essentials, Wrap and Design X for reverse engineering and scan-to-CAD and Control X for inspection; Geomagic Freeform for voxel-based digital clay modelling; and Cimatron for CAD/CAM, tool design and manufacture, and conformal cooling.
CORREVATE STAND A22
Correvate is the developer of Vercator, which is billed as the most efficient cloud platform to process point cloud data.
Vercator enables a desktop software like experience in a browser, all backed up by the cloud with clusters of computers to quickly process point cloud data as it scales.
The software offers automatic registration and segmentation from the cloud backed by AI, with the associated benefits of access, security and speed.
The company's ambition is to evolve the Vercator platform further with additional tools from both Correvate and third-party suppliers, adding a suite of capabilities and features which deliver cost efficient improvements to its users.
www.correvate.co.uk
DRIVEWORKS STAND A46
DriveWorks offers Design Automation and CPQ configurator software. It is used by manufacturing multi-nationals and SMEs across many different industries to:
• Configure custom products on any device • Respond quickly to sales enquiries • Generate more custom orders • Win more business • Enhance product quality • Reduce repetitive tasks
The software can be used for 3D printing or traditional manufacturing methods. It can automatically generate manufacturing drawings, 3D models, and sales documents (including quotes).
www.driveworks.co.uk
SILVER SPONSOR
EUROPAC 3D STAND B58
Europac3D is a leading UK supplier of 3D scanning and printing equipment.
The company offers Kreon and Solutionix scanners and Artec handheld scanners, and 3D scanning software for reverse engineering and inspection, featuring Geomagic Design X for complex scan to CAD projects.
Europac3D is also a Uniontech 3D printers specialist, offering ‘high quality', large volume resin additive manufacturing machines and a comprehensive range of open source materials.
Europac3D also offers a bureau service from 3D digital capture of objects through to 3D print service including production parts in PA12 and PA11 Nylon.
www.europac3d.com
FRAME STANDS A42/A43
Frame is an industry-leading hybrid and multicloud Desktop as a Service (DaaS) solution that enables customers to deliver virtual apps and desktops hosted in public cloud (AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform) and on-premises on Nutanix AHV – all managed from a single control plane.
Users can access their Windows or Linux apps and desktops from the convenience of their browser, no client or plug-in needed, on any device anywhere. This includes graphicsintensive, high-fidelity, multimedia, and 2D/3D design apps.
The company invites you to embrace the new world of hybrid work, powered by Frame.
PLATINUM SPONSOR
HP TERADICI STAND B54
HP Teradici is the inventor of the PCoIP remote display protocol and develops the Engineering Emmy-Award-winning HP Anyware (formerly Teradici CAS) to deliver what it claims to be the best virtual and remote desktop experience in the world.
HP Anyware is an enterprise software that helps keep people productive with secured access to their digital workspaces.
Replacing slow and outdated VPN file transfers, HP Anyware leverages the PCoIP protocol to stream highly interactive desktop displays between virtually any host (cloud, data centre, edge, workstation) and end-user device (PC, Mac, laptop, tablet) without any data ever leaving the safety of your network.
www.hp.com/anyware
HYBRID SERVICES STAND B51
Hybrid Services is the exclusive distributor in the UK and Ireland for Japanese technology manufacturer, Mimaki.
With a product portfolio that encompasses almost the entire digital 2D print sector, Mimaki brings its many decades of innovation to 3D print with a range of full colour 3D printers.
According to Hybrid, Mimaki’s latest full colour 3D printer offers new levels of creativity, accurate reproduction of up to 10,000,00 colours and precise detail — with a sub £35k price point.
Hybrid will have a variety of samples on its stand at DEVELOP3D Live that demonstrate Mimaki’s breadth of full colour 3D printing capabilities.
www.hybridservices.co.uk
ITI – INTERNATIONAL TECHNEGROUP STAND A21
ITI is a leader in the development and delivery of interoperability solutions for CAD/CAM/CAE/PDM. Since 1985 ITI has partnered with leading PLM system vendors to assemble what it describes as an unparalleled suite of software products and related services – all aimed at eliminating non-value-added time and costs associated with reusing product data and maintaining data integrity and value.
ITI’s solutions include: CADfix, for 3D CAD model translation, repair, healing, defeaturing, and simplification; Proficiency, for feature-based CAD conversion; and CADIQ, for identifying model-based design data quality issues.
BRONZE SPONSOR
INNEO STAND A28
BRONZE SPONSOR
INNEO Solutions is a partner for product development and digital reality, providing solutions for over 4,000 companies. THE ART OF THE POSSIBLE According to the company, it will take the time to understand your business to help you choose the right tools to make your Your innovation – powered by INNEO Your Digital Transformation Business Partners digital journey a reality.
As a PTC Platinum Partner and KeyShot Platinum Reseller, INNEO Solutions offers solutions for CAD, PDM, PLM, IOT, visualisation, CGI and IT. Whether you need application-specific software or services, implementation or customised training and consulting, INNEO states that it will help you achieve a quick and lasting return on your investment. VISIT US AT DEVELOP 3D LIVE – STAND A28
www.inneo.co.uk
» » Di Di s s cuss your strategy for AR, VR, MR, IoT cover the latest in CAD, PDM/PLM and IoT solutions like PTC Creo 9, ThingWorx and Windchill 12 » Demo KeyShot 11 – 3D Rendering and Animation
KENESTO STAND B50
INNEO Solutions Ltd. +44 (0) 1789 337920 www.inneo.co.uk www.keyshot.co.uk
Kenesto is a secure cloud-based Document Management and Workflow Platform designed for teams and technology providers, with project management applications in mind.
The developers explain that Kenesto requires no setup, provides unlimited storage, mobile access and reliability with real-time access to field data. Users collaborate directly on master files with suppliers using virtual local drives.
www.kenesto.com
LENOVO STAND A40/A41
Lenovo, known for product innovation, performance and reliability, offers the complete portfolio of mobile and desktop workstations, with its ThinkPad and ThinkStation solutions. These highperformance workstations are designed to not just meet, but exceed expectations; combining maximum performance with outright platform reliability.
Pushing beyond the hardware, Lenovo strives to support the people behind the systems, to foster relationships and improve the industry overall. This includes supporting creative thinkers and enabling them with the latest technology to explore the possibilities.
www.lenovo.com
PRINCIPAL SPONSOR
LUXION STAND A49
Luxion is a developer of advanced 3D rendering, animation and lighting technology and the maker of KeyShot, which aims to break down the complexity of creating photographic images of 3D models. The real-time ray tracing application uses a physically correct render engine based on scientifically accurate material representation and global illumination.
KeyShot is built around the visualisation workflow allowing users to easily change materials, create advanced lighting scenarios and adjust cameras interactively, in real-time. It offers direct import for every major 3D file format, and support for both Mac and PC.
www.keyshot.com
BRONZE SPONSOR
Register FREE now
develop3dlive.com
MEASUREMENT SOLUTIONS LIMITED (MSL) STAND A33
MSL has over 24 years’ experience, supplying UK Industry with measuring equipment and Creaform scanning solutions. It brings engineering experience to metrology, combining tools and software from leading manufacturers to create integrated systems for your workflows.
MSL offers high-quality 3D scanning, 3D software and 3D metrology for end-toend design, manufacture and inspection solutions and services to improve manufacturing processes.
Creaform scan data can be imported into nTopology for lightweighting, optimisation, modification for additive manufacturing and other operations.
NTOPOLOGY VIRTUAL SPONSOR
nTopology is a next-generation design software built from the ground up to enable engineers to take full advantage of the design freedom of additive manufacturing.
According to the company, nTopology’s, core technologies make it fundamentally different to any other engineering design software currently on the market.
www.ntopology.com
BRONZE SPONSOR
OPEN BOUNDARIES STAND A1
Open Boundaries states that it delivers great user experiences and simplifies creatives' lives, making astute users more efficient and versatile using Cloud technology.
The company's Managed Cloud Graphics Workstation subscription enables individuals or teams to have instant access to 3D graphics workstations 24/7/365, providing assurance and peace of mind.
Choose between different Cloud Workstations subscriptions, which are cost effective, scalable and flexible 3D graphics solutions.
www.openboundaries.co.uk
OQTON STAND A25
The Geomagic Suite, developed by Oqton, delivers a complete reverse engineering, design, and inspection software solution that is said to unify engineering and production to accelerate intelligent manufacturing. Serving industries include aerospace, dental, automotive, and more,
Geomagic Freeform is a 3D design tool combined with touch-based haptic devices, that is designed to transform traditional handcraftsmanship into organic, digital design for custom manufacturing.
Geomagic Design X allows users to reverse-engineer physical parts into digital parametric CAD models with a tool that combines history-based CAD with 3D scan data processing.
www.oqton.com
BRONZE SPONSOR
OR3D STAND A9
OR3D specialises in providing 3D solutions and, as the UK’s largest Geomagic partner for hardware and software, the company states that it is well placed to offer the right solution.
OR3D offers a range of laser scanning equipment that covers long range scanning to non-destructive testing with CT machines. For high precision manufacturing and engineering, the company highlights the capabilities of sub millimetre accurate scanners and laser trackers from API.
Using Geomagic Design X, OR3D can demonstrate complete scan-to-CAD workflows, including the creation of native parametric CAD models in Solidworks, Inventor, NX, Creo and Catia.
ORIGIN ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS STAND A18
Origin Engineering is a software VAR focused on design and simulation for the manufacturing industry. The company believes that utilising simulation early in the product development process provides opportunities for organisations to speed up product development, reduce costs and improve the quality of products being manufactured.
Origin Engineering works alongside Altair and its Inspire product portfolio, which allows manufacturing engineers to simulate various manufacturing processes to eliminate defects and failed production runs through its ‘intuitive interface and simple workflows'.
PNY STAND A23
For over 30 years and thanks to strong partnerships with technology innovation companies such as Nvidia, PNY says it represents a real success story of a company leading the EMEA graphics, HPC and AI computing market.
Providing engineers, researchers and visualisation clients with ‘cutting-edge' Nvidia Quadro, Nvidia Tesla and Nvidia DGX solutions, PNY says it understands the needs of its clients, offering professional technical support and a constant commitment to customer satisfaction.
PNY offers a full spectrum of GPUs and SSDs but also complete servers for compute, storage and network certified for all VDI, HPC and AI environments.
www.pny.eu/en
BRONZE SPONSOR
PTC STAND A36/A37 Design. The Way it Should Be
PTC offers a variety of innovative CAD solutions for the engineering community, including Creo and Onshape.
According to the company, Creo continues to advance the state of the art in CAD technology, with emerging technologies that are fully integrated into the Creo design environment. Meanwhile, PTC adds that cloud-native Onshape is ‘revolutionising the CAD industry' by enabling companies to connect, collaborate, and create better products.
www.ptc.com/product/creo
POLYGONICA STAND A45
MachineWorks Ltd, the developer of Polygonica, has been providing advanced 3D software engines to manufacturers and engineering software developers since 1994.
Polygonica is an engine for polygon-mesh modelling and is widely used in a range of markets, including CAD, CAM, CAE, and AM, along with medical, dental, EDA, metrology, AEC, construction, mining, and other large capital asset industries.
MachineWorks is a toolkit for CNC simulation and verification and is supplied embedded within a wide range of brands from major machine tools and CNC controller manufacturers and CAM software vendors.
www.machineworks.com | www.polygonica.com
GOLD SPONSOR
ROLAND DG STAND A12 SCAN PRO GRAPHICS STAND B53
Roland DG offers advanced 3D milling technology, developed under its DGSHAPE brand. This includes the MDX-50 benchtop CNC mill and monoFab SRM-20 desktop milling machine.
The MDX-50 combines ‘precise, automated milling and unmatched ease-of-use.’ Roland says it is an ideal solution for short-runs and prototypes, reducing operation time and simplifying production, so users of all abilities can mill functional parts with incredible quality on a wide range of materials.
The SRM-20 is a small milling machine for the production of realistic parts and prototypes. Roland says it offers powerful functionality at an affordable price. Scan Pro Graphics is a specialist division within the Scan Computers Ltd. business portfolio that provides workstations, servers and bespoke GPU solutions for graphics intensive workloads. The company's award winning 3XS workstations are optimised for a wide variety of applications and workflows.
Powered by the latest Nvidia RTX GPU accelerators, Scan workstations and servers are custom built to meet requirements. Scan also delivers and supports virtual solutions via its 3XS Cloud platform, including compute servers, datacentre workstations, virtual PCs, cloud rendering and Nvidia Omniverse Enterprise for realtime collaboratiion.
Onshape Connect, Collaborate and Better Products in the Clo Cre ud ate
SHAPR3D VIRTUAL SPONSOR
Shapr3D is on a mission to reinvent the CAD industry that got stuck in the past. According to the developers, the CAD software allows you to design where and what you want to design, not where and what your CAD tool dictates. Wherever your workflow takes you, Shapr3D can go with you. Go from sketching to manufacture—with full functionality across Windows PCs and tablets, Macs, and iPads—make your design flow.
www.shapr3d.com
GOLD SPONSOR
SIEMENS DIGITAL INDUSTRIES SOFTWARE STAND A5/A6
GOLD SPONSOR
Siemens Digital Industries Software says it is bringing the solutions of tomorrow to its customers today. The company invites delegates to learn more about the value of the digital enterprise that enables customers to create better, more innovative products, faster.
Siemens offers an integrated portfolio of software and services that helps companies become digital enterprises through technologies that integrate solutions for PLM, Electronic Design Automation (EDA), Application Lifecycle Management (ALM), Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM), Embedded Software and Internet of Things (IoT), and much more.
www.siemens.com/plm
SIGMETRIX STAND A27
Sigmetrix has been helping companies produce better products for over 20 years through a combination of software solutions, training, and consulting services that focus on managing the impact of mechanical variation. These solutions enable collaborative decisions between design, manufacturing, and inspection.
Products include CETOL 6, a fullyintegrated 3D tolerance analysis solution that enables designers and engineers to understand the impact of part and assembly variation on the fit and performance of their products; EZtol, a 1D analysis tool; and GD&T Advisor, an interactive tool that provides guidance on the correct application of GD&T on models.
SILVER SPONSOR
SOLID PEOPLE STAND A44
Solid People is a specialist CAD recruitment agency offering both permanent and contract recruitment services to a wide range of clients.With over ten years of experience, the agency states that it really understands the industry and knows how to find well matched designers. Its consultants all come from a design background.
Solid People explains that it won’t bombard clients with irrelevant CVs. It fully screens all candidates, uses its knowhow to assess their skills, and only puts forward those who would be the best fit for a client's team.
Solid People wants to meet companies looking for designers, or designers looking for their next career move.
www.solidpeople.co.uk
SOLID SOLUTIONS STAND A19
Founded in 1998, Solid Solutions has amassed over 20 years of experience in delivering ‘best-in-class' services and solutions. Having become the leading provider of Solidworks throughout the UK and Ireland, Solid Solutions has grown through several strategic partnerships and acquisitions, forming the Solid Solutions Group. 2021 saw the formation of the Solid Solutions Business Transformation Team, expanding its services beyond Solidworks, into the wider Dassault Systèmes portfolio.
In June 2022, TriMech acquired the Solid Solutions Group, bringing together hundreds of talented people across four countries, and expanding its support.
www.solidsolutions.co.uk
SOLID PRINT3D STAND A20
Solid Print3D is part of the Solid Solutions Group. With experts for every area of ‘3D', from scanning, CAD, CAM, simulation, PLM, 3D printing & CNC, its goal is to help you reinvent manufacturing.
Solid Print3D will show that production 3D printing is no longer expensive, difficult to use or reserved only for specialists in OEMs.
For reverse engineering, it will show how 3D scanning has never been more accessible. With the ability to get information into a CAD system fast, engineers have new ways of capturing data.
Products include the Formlabs Fuse 1 compact SLS 3D printer, and the Peel 3D handheld 3D scanner.
www.solidprint3d.co.uk
BRONZE SPONSOR BRONZE SPONSOR
SOLIDWORKS VIRTUAL SPONSOR
SolidWorks, a Dassault Systèmes brand, offers complete 3D software tools that let you create, simulate, publish, and manage your data. The company states that its products are easy to learn and use, and work together to help you design products better, faster, and more cost-effectively. It adds that the Solidworks focus on ease-of-use allows more engineers, designers and other technology professionals than ever before to take advantage of 3D in bringing their designs to life.
www.solidworks.com
GOLD SPONSOR
SYMETRI STAND A29
Symetri supports innovative companies in the product design and manufacturing industries to optimise their working methods and increase the quality of their projects. The company wants to challenge people to work smarter and to turn ideas into new realities that shape a better future.
With a combination of its own IP, ‘best of breed' technology from its partners, and a comprehensive range of services, Symetri helps its customers to create sustainable designs, maximise efficiency and increase competitive advantage.
Symetri offers guidance in everything from 3D modelling simulation, Product Data Management to Product Lifecycle Management.
www.symetri.co.uk
We know that connecting Design and Manufacturing can be challenging - Symetri supports many businesses with SYSTEMACTIVE every aspect of their design and manufacturing processesSTAND A47
SystemActive is one of the UK’s leading Join us on Stand A29 to discuss how we could help you to add workstation hardware and immersive value into your business.solution providers. The company is a HP and Lenovo Platinum Partner, and Nvidia preferred solution provider with specialisations in workstations and highwww.symetri.co.uk info@symetri.co.uk +44 345 370 1500 end compute in all. The company will be showcasing the Varjo XR-3, the photorealistic mixed reality headset. It is a mixed reality developer device for engineers, researchers and industrial designers who are ‘pioneering a new reality'. With photorealistic visual fidelity, ultra-low latency and integrated eye tracking, SystemActive states that the XR-3 is the only device capable of truly blending virtual with reality.
www.systemactive.co.uk
BRONZE SPONSOR
Design for Manufacture
Machining Solutions
Additive Manufacturing
Data Management
Inspection & Quality
T3DMC STAND B52
The 3D Measurement Company (T3DMC) is an engineering solutions provider of 3D measurement, quality & inspection and reverse engineering services. It is also the exclusive UK distributor of a range of affordable, handheld and portable 3D scanners suitable for a wide range of industrial applications.
T3DMC states that it can support your design and manufacturing needs through its 3D scanning & measurement services, on site or at its facility. The company explains that its scanning services combine ‘market leading' metrology equipment with a comprehensive range of software solutions to offer inspection and design solutions for the most complex of challenges.
www.t3dmc.com
THEOREM SOLUTIONS STAND A13/A14
Theorem Solutions’ range of use-case focused solutions are based off years of experience in optimising 3D CAD data. This includes Theorem-XR, which enables engineering and manufacturing organisations to utilise their existing 3D assets on Augmented (AR), Mixed (MR), or Virtual Reality (VR) devices.
The Theorem-XR suite allows engineers and designers to visualise their 3D data in context. Teams can collaborate, both remotely and locally, working together in a single session in both MR and VR. Theorem-XR's Visualization Pipeline is used for ‘efficient and automated' processing of 3D CAD and visualisation data.
GOLD SPONSOR
TOTAL MATERIA AG STAND B59
Total Materia AG is dedicated to collecting, connecting, and managing materials information. Since 1999, when Key to Metals AG founded the solution, a team of materials engineers have collated commercial materials properties and developed a taxonomy, properties and integrations that support multiple engineering roles and scenarios within engineering, quality, simulation, compliance, sustainability, manufacturing and, of course, materials.
www.totalmateria.com
VIRTUAL INTERCONNECT STAND A32
Virtual Interconnect is an engineering consultancy and a PTC Gold Technology Partner, specialising in the design of complex routed systems encompassing wire harnesses and hydraulic/piping installations for the industrial, automotive, military and aerospace markets.
The company aims to reduce your risks and improve your products’ time to market through three services: ‘Project', where its engineers work as a remote design team to aid the development of your solution; ‘Process', to help enhance your current wire harness design process; and ‘Product', where its software design team provides general-purpose solutions for wire harness and electrical design.
www.virtual-interconnect.co.uk
BRONZE SPONSOR
UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD - FACULTY OF ENGINEERING STAND B55/B56
GOLD SPONSOR
This stand will showcase various projects from the University of Sheffield’s Faculty of Engineering, whose vision is to deliver life-enhancing research, innovation and education that not only transforms the lives of its graduates, but shapes the world we live in. The faculty believes the best way to achieve this is by fostering an ambitious, inclusive, collaborative community.
www.sheffield.ac.uk/engineering
WORKSTATION SPECIALISTS STAND A15
Workstation Specialists is an awardwinning workstation and server solutions manufacturer. The UK company designs and manufactures high-performance computing solutions for industries such as 3D CAD, visual effects and others.
Workstation Specialists works with clients on a consultancy approach believing that there is no one size fits all solution to workstation/server technologies, and that tailoring hardware specifically for each client is essential in order to achieve best in class performance and value for money.
Products include professional desktops and laptop-based workstations, plus deskside and rackmount server solutions.
ZEA STAND B57
Manufacturers want to maximise the value of using their products to their customers. However, as Zea points out, they fall short of that value proposition when a product breaks down and isn’t adequately supported.
Zea envisions the day when a fully documented digital twin becomes the new baseline for product support. The company is mapping a path towards this vision with a novel 3D digital experience platform that saves content authoring time and improves customer experience.
www.zea.live
Register FREE now
develop3dlive.com
Veteran home worker Stephen Holmes has watched the shift to ‘hybrid’ working with intrigue, as he tries to imagine how the need for both digital design and physical prototypes can work in more fluid systems
Getting things delivered to the house during daylight hours often leads to queries around ‘are you working from home?’ – the alternative being that I look somewhat freshfaced for a retiree taking receipt of his doorstep groceries at this time of day.
It was during such an interaction this week that the delivery driver squeezed in the extra question of “is that a Covid thing?”, to which I proudly replied that I’m actually a decade-long veteran of the home working fraternity. The Pyjama Brigade. Team Daytime Telly. The Anti-Pret.
Yet the Covid thing means that our ranks have been bolstered. Spare bedrooms have been transformed, garages converted and flags resolutely planted on coffee shop tables nearest the sole working power outlet.
The UK’s lockdown showcased this: We know from your subscriptions to DEVELOP3D that many of you moved your deliveries to residential properties, and while some have shifted back, many of you are likely reading this on the very short commute from where you woke up this morning.
Designers I’ve spoken with moved their work set-ups home – hardware, software and even workshop equipment.
I doubt there were many trying to load a Bridgeport into the back of a taxi, but hundreds of you picked up the office 3D printers and wheeled laser cutters home. We know that while this enabled projects to continue, and businesses to keep the lights on, it had another effect. Many of you used the time while furloughed to develop personal projects, some benefitting the companies you work for, others fulfilling a lifelong dream of setting up a product-based business or design studio of your own. During this period the registration of new companies went through the roof.
It has changed the way we work, even if you’re sat back in a familiar office cubicle full time. The greater emphasis on less rigid working set-ups elsewhere means you’re more likely to jump on a Teams call than head out to a meeting. The software we use is accelerating us in the direction of the cloud, and collaboration is the buzzword among companies.
Whether you’re working with someone four seats or four time zones away, there are means now to meaningfully collaborate – some are better than others, and I’m sure you’re all finding out which work best for your teams and stakeholders.
The C word is big business. Adobe has just dropped $20 billion on Figma, a product that, at first glance, might look a little like a toolset it already owns. Yet at its own admission, Figma was ‘purposebuilt for collaboration’. Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Chat – all of these have been picked-up by design teams dispersed by Covid but are now deeply ingrained even though we’re able to be back together. But where does this leave us? I’m not writing this at the behest of a new sponsorship from Greggs aimed at getting us all back into the office [my offer is still on the table], but creative people have some of their best ideas in conversation. I’ve seen first-hand problems being solved and new solutions imagined in person.
Yet, in a world where the cost of workshop kit has fallen, leading to more in-house technologies like 3D printing, and the importance of physical prototyping grown, as part of an iterative design
workflow, how is this new hybrid reality going to look? Many of you would rather endure another lockdown Zoom quiz with your drunken aunt and xenophobe uncle than approach the current crop of mixed reality solutions, which while amazing for top tier automotive companies to get around for design reviews, are still a luxury for the majority. Desktop 3D printers have come a long way in recent history, with something available for every need, but the option of sharing a
Designers I’ve spoken with file to be 3D printed on the other side of the world still relies on a lot of manual setup to gain perfect results. An umbrella issue over moved their work all of this is that security around sharing set-ups home files between stakeholders is still mired in permissions issues and distrust. during Covid New softwares are in the pipeline to help – hardware, software and bridge this – a few of which you can get an early glimpse of at DEVELOP3D LIVE on 1 November [see page 48] – but until then even workshop it might be a case of more knocks at the equipment door and parcels being delivered, as model shops and 3D printing bureaux combine with couriers to deliver more physical prototypes the old fashioned way. At least you’ll get a chat with the delivery driver.
Stephen likes his meat pies as much as the next person, but appreciates there are more benefits to working in a office than ready access to hot pastry delights
GET IN TOUCH: If you took some serious hardware home during lockdown then please get in touch, as Stephen would like nothing more than to hear about how and what you snuck out the door and whether it was returned (eBay suggests some of it might not have). On Twitter he’s @swearstoomucs @swearstoomuch
