A Simulation Tool for Distortion Prediction in Powder Bed Additive Manufacturing

Simufact Additive is a powerful simulation environment for "right the first time" optimization of powder bed additive manufacturing processes (SLS, SLM,LBM, DMLS , EBM)

Simufact Additive predicts the distortion and residual stresses in the part and guides the production engineer in how to compensate to ensure a quality part the first time. Process control variables may be selected to optimize the 3-D printing process to reduce time and waste.

Simufact Additive can be used to explore the process space, including examining the influence of:

• Material selection
• Power vs. speed
• Powder characteristics
• Build path / hatching pattern
• Support / Internal structures

 Simufact Additive simulates the total process including:

• Powder Bed Fusion Processes
• Heat Treatment
• Pressurization
• Detaching Part
• Removal of support structure
• HIP-process (hot isostatic pressing) prediction of distortion, residual stress and material densification

Simufact Additive uses efficient computational methods to predict:

• Shrinkage
• Warpage of the component
• Residual Stresses
• Optimal location of part
• Support Structure
• Calculate the deformation of the base plate (Available with version 3)
• Prediction of the influence of several components in the build space (Available with version 3)
• Run the simulation in Windows and Linux environment (Available with version 3)