Analyzing and understanding of the additive manufacturing system behavior during the printing process is essential to produce high quality products with geometrical precision. Digital twins are reliable tools to provide details of important parameters such as temperature map, thermal-fluid interactions, phase-change process, and energy consumptions which enable developers of these machines to perform optimization, diagnostics and real-time system monitoring in high resolution. While the advantages of digital twins in saving time and cost are undeniable, creating the virtual twin has extensive challenges that monopolize this technology to big players in the market.
Working with additive manufacturers on different projects and experiencing their difficulties in optimizing and understanding the printing process to create the best quality products inspired us to make digital twing accessible and feasible for even smaller users.
360 Degree Engineering experts have been developing a series of modules, each representing the basis of each type of 3D printer type. These modules provide the starting blocks for building surrogate twins that can be modified for the type of materials used, geometry and physical characteristics, representing the client system. The base modules are expandable into a variety of the types and sizes for different technology types, enabling us to build the user specific in much faster pace. In addition, physical models common among modules are pre-built and can be used as add-on features.
To support the most advanced thermal monitoring and optimization for varieties of 3D printing technologies these modules consist of different additive manufacturing techniques including: binder jetting, VAT polymerization, powder bed fusion, material extrusion, material jetting, directed energy deposition, and sheet lamination. Starting from base modules enables us to expedite the simulation of the system and move to building the surrogate twin.
Several of these modules are currently under development and getting tested. We will provide more details regarding the modules update in upcoming news updates.
