Optimize 3D printing processes before the physical build process
Using simulation software, toolcraft is able to optimize manufacturing processes and make them more efficient and more economically viable. “We have tested Simufact Additive extensively and saw that the solution is going to help us in our daily practice”, states Christoph Hauck, Managing Director of toolcraft. “Our clients expect us to examine the feasibility of 3D printing orders in the early project phase – the simulation of the manufacturing process is the key to this. In the course of further optimization of additively manufactured parts, simulation supplies us with fast and economical indications on how the printing process with different support structures, different orientations within the build space as well as changed machine parameters behave”, adds Hauck. Simufact Additive calculates distortions and residual stresses within the component, shows the risk of build job abortions and enables users to minimize the number of physical attempts required to achieve a successful build.
Simulating additive manufacturing processes – the shortcut to production readiness
Simufact Additive is a highly efficient and scalable software solution for the simulation of metal additive manufacturing processes. The simulation of 3D printing processes predicts distortions and residual stresses within the component and thereby provides the basis for the development of suitable countermeasures before the first piece is ever printed. Simufact Additive covers the entire manufacturing-related process chain for powder bed fusion processes and simulates the initial build job as well as post-processing including heat treatment for stress relief within a component, the cutting off the base plate, the removal of support structures as well as the hot isostatic pressing (HIP). Simufact Additive is mainly being used in companies within the aerospace and automotive sectors, their respective suppliers, as well as service providers.
Experience driven software development
“Simufact and toolcraft will continue to collaborate very closely on best practices to optimize the metal additive manufacturing processes, said Michael Wohlmuth, Managing Director and CEO at Simufact. “With toolcraft we found a partner who is an expert at the additive manufacturing process and shares our goal to dramatically improve the process”.
toolcraft is a pioneer of forward-looking technologies, such as 3D metal printing and the construction of customised turnkey robotics solutions. The company tests and develops innovative engineering processes until they are ready to be used on production lines. As a provider of comprehensive solutions, toolcraft covers the entire process chain, from the initial idea to manufacturing, quality assurance and testing in the areas of CNC machining, 3D metal printing, injection moulding, spark erosion (EDM) and mould making. Its clients include market leaders in the semiconductors, aerospace, medical technology, optical, special machinery manufacturing, motor sports and automotive industries. Building close working relationships with collaborative partners as well as universities, other institutions of higher education and research centres is an important part of its corporate philosophy. The medium-sized family-owned company, located in Georgensgmünd and Spalt, was founded by Bernd Krebs in 1989.
About Simufact
Simufact Engineering – an MSC Software company – is a global operating software company providing process simulation products and services to manufacturing industries. Today, after more than 20 years of developing and supporting simulation solutions for the design and optimization of manufacturing techniques in metal processing, the Hamburg (Germany) headquartered company has established as one of the leaders in this business area. Simufact succeeds in extending its global market share backed up by a dynamically growing customer base exceeding a number of 700 customers. A strong and continuously growing network composed of local offices and channel partners ensures global support. The software primarily aims at the automotive industry, mechanical engineering, aerospace industry and their respective suppliers. Typical fields of application for Simufact software are hot forging, cold forming, sheet metal forming, rolling, ring rolling, open die forging, mechanical joining, heat treatment, different welding processes, and most recently additive manufacturing.
toolcraft AG
Handelsstraße 1
91166 Georgensgmünd
Telefon: +49 (9172) 6956-0
Telefax: +49 (9172) 6956-560
http://www.toolcraft.de
Telefon: +49 (9172) 6956-172
E-Mail: tinahartmann@toolcraft.de
E-Mail: volker.mensing@simufact.de
