Materialise has recently introduced new features to Magics, its data and build preparation software, which aim to improve connectivity and traceability.
Magics is a critical tool in the 3D printing process, allowing users to prepare their designs for printing by optimising the orientation, support structures, and overall build quality.
With the integration of Magics and CO-AM, users should now be able to enjoy enhanced traceability in the 3D printing process through a revision tree that logs every action performed on a part or build, including which user executed the action.
This connection between data and build preparation software and manufacturing execution systems is essential for tracking the status of parts from end to end, something that is often missing due to silos between software.
“Traceability is critical for any 3D printing production. It’s not only a requirement for highly regulated industries like aerospace but also plays an important role in quality improvement,” said Materialise product line manager Egwin Bovyn.
“Tracking the parameters of past builds gives users insights into what goes right and what goes wrong. It gives them a detailed log to refer to while improving their processes.”
The update also introduces integration between Magics and Materialise Machine Manager, which enables users to connect to their Build Processors and send project information and parameters necessary for successful builds.
By connecting Magics to Machine Manager, Materialise promises to offer a new cloud-based solution to manage AM machine parks and connected Build Processors.
This cloud-based working is collaboration-friendly, and should enable users to share files and processing parameters with colleagues more easily. All processing parameters and build files should now be stored in the cloud, continuing the traceability factor in this stage of the workflow.
Another feature of the Magics update is Workflow Automation, which should offers ready-to-use and custom scripts to automate repetitive workflows during data and build preparation.
The first off-the-shelf script, smart labelling, was created for Protolabs and, Materialise said, is able to automatically label parts in minutes.
According to Christoph Erhardt, Protolabs manager of customer projects and additive design, “Labelling twenty parts takes just one person maybe five minutes with our new automated workflow. Before, it was an hour and a half, two hours for two people. It wasn’t fun work. And now the team experiences less stress and uses their time for more challenging, interesting work that truly motivates them.”
Materialise will be showcasing its CO-AM and Magics technologies at booth 4830 from May 2 to 4 during the RAPID+TCT Conference at McCormick Place in Chicago.
