Authentise is looking to expand the digital thread with a major feature update to simplify the digital tracking of material powders for additive manufacturing within its 3D printing management software.
Authentise suggests that the new Material Management feature will enable customers to reduce waste and total cost while increasing reliability and transparency.
Users will be able to track all actions associated with the material, such as sieving, blending, testing or printing, to enable a full digital thread of the material.
Operators can update the status seamlessly using apps on handheld devices while full reports and details, such as a full material genealogy tree, can be viewed in the browser.
A tight integration with the Authentise Manufacturing Execution System (AMES) associates the material management traceability report with any part printed on the machine it was loaded into.
This should enable detailed end-to-end digital thread that accounts not only for the full material history but also operator actions, machine data, and more.
TWI Ltd, a 3D printing lab in the UK certified by Lloyds Register, has been trialling the software. “Digital Material Management is the missing piece of the puzzle for us,” said project leader Miguel Zavala.
“As a certified Lloyds Register lab, we have to prove that we’re following the right process at all times. The combination of AMES with a seamless material tracking tool delivers a full digital traceability of not only what we’ve done but everything that has happened to the part.
“We can use that data to improve our processes, provide automated reports to clients and work with our partners to develop better machines, materials, processes and designs.”
“We’re excited to be the only independent provider with an end-to-end digital material management and part traceability solution,” said Authentic CEO Andre Wegner at the launch.
“There’s still so much we don’t know about the additive process: How do storage conditions affect end part quality? How many times can we recycle, under what conditions? As a result, too much money is wasted as we default to the most secure and expensive options.
“Too many parts still end up being printed with virgin powder unnecessarily.
“The integration of our unique ability to draw together data from machines, operators, testing and now materials finally gives us the tools to understand these processes fully, and explain them to our partners.”
