2021 Technology Roundup: Software

The growth of software for additive manufacturing continued in 2021. New features, new platforms, and new integrations offered solutions throughout the AM process; from design to post processing. Some of the notable announcements in 2021 included:

• NexaX 2.0 Intelligent Software Platform: Nexa3D launched NexaX 2.0 software, a comprehensive file-to-part software platform developed in collaboration with ParaMatters. NexaX 2.0 features automated support generation, integrated build set up and print management. MORE

• ZAP Software: 3D Control Systems announced ZAP.am, an autonomous advanced manufacturing platform built for optimization of additive manufacturing. Functionality includes CRM (Customer Relationship Management), PLM (Product Lifecycle Management), ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), QA (Quality Assurance), and MES (Manufacturing Execution System), for AM. MORE 

• 3D Sprint®: 3D Systems announced the latestrelease of 3D Sprint® software which enables high-density part stacking and new strut support structures, which facilitates a 40% improvement in productivity. MORE 

• Digimat: e-Xstream engineering, part of Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division, introduced simulation and virtual manufacturing capabilities to analyze production cost of polymer-based additive manufacturing parts against conventional processes. Cost analysis includes material utilization, employee time, energy, and post-processing steps. MORE

• Design Engine™: Carbon announced access for all Carbon platform subscribers to Design Engine™, software to automate creation of performance-oriented lattices in March 2021. By November 2021, Carbon announced the design software will be available to everyone in early 2022. MORE

• Scan to Model: Formlabs announced Scan to Model, a new feature in PreForm software. The software feature is designed to convert intraoral scans into 3D printable models for dental and orthodontic professionals. MORE

• Open End-to-End Software Solution: Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division and Authentise partnered to extend the Additive Manufacturing control loop from the machine level to connect the end-to-end value chain from design, manufacturing operations and quality assurance. MORE

• Luxexcel VisionPlatform™ 7: Luxexcel released Luxexcel VisionPlatform™ 7, a software driven platform for 3D printing. The platform is technology-agnostic and integrates objects such as waveguides, holographic optical elements, and liquid crystal foils during the design and 3D printing process. MORE

• DMS-LNX 1.0: Digital Metal launched the DMS-LNX 1.0 Control Panel Interface, a digital platform interface for production line integration and comprehensive overview of the printing process. Developed with Siemens, the platform is based on the MindSphere IoT platform. MORE

• Hexagon and CADS Additive Partner: Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence announced a partnership with CADS Additive. The companies will exchange technologies to progress design for additive manufacturing. Hexagon has integrated the build prep specialist’s support structure generation technology into its Simufact Additive software. Hexagon’s build simulation capabilities will be integrated into CADS Additive’s AM-Studio software. MORE

• CAD Workflows Embedded into Magics: Materialise has licensed Siemens’ Parasolid® software for integration with Magics. With Parasolid technology, Materialise will add native CAD workflows within Magics 26, providing an additional toolset on top of mesh functionality. MORE