Stratasys
GrabCAD Advanced FDM
GrabCAD Advanced FDM
Stratasys has introduced its Advanced FDM feature to the GrabCAD Print software as it aims to ‘remove complexity from design-to-3D print processes.’
The company made the announcement at SOLIDWORKS World 2019 in Dallas, TX.
The new feature has been designed to speed up the process of designing 3D printed parts. It eliminates the CAD-to-STL conversion process, and with rich CAD-native build controls, the manual generation of complex toolpaths is not required. Desired part characteristics are achieved through automatic control of FDM build attributes, as Advanced FDM automatically calculates 3D print toolpaths.
Users pinpoint areas of strength, rigidity, control infills, ensure there is sufficient materials around holes with inserts, and avoid seams, directly on the CAD model. Since toolpaths are automatically generated from model assignments, the user typically spends less time on print preparation, and ultimately shorten the time it takes to print a prototype or end-use component.
Stratasys
Stratasys Advanced FDM
Leaf spring U-bolt fixture, customised using GrabCAD Advanced FDM from Stratasys.
“For design and manufacturing engineers, one of the most frustrating processes is ‘dumbing down’ a CAD file to STL format – only to require subsequent re-injection of design intent into the STL printing process,” commented Mark Walker, Lead Software Product Manager, Stratasys. “This software is engineered to do away with this complexity, letting designers reduce iterations and design cycles – getting to a high quality, realistic prototype and final part faster than ever before.”
“Advanced FDM has proved invaluable in improving our part processing time. When processing a very large number of tools and fixtures in a very time-pressured environment, it was crucial to ensure stronger tool areas were correct first time, every time,” said Dave Hewitson, Rapid Prototyping Programmer, McLaren. “Advanced FDM negates the requirement for multiple programs – creating a more streamlined process. It’s also allowed us to more effectively control the structure of end-use car parts, something that was previously very difficult with the solutions we had in hand. This means we can get better parts to the track faster.”
Advanced FDM is available immediately via download with GrabCAD Print (from versions 1.24) and is supported by Stratasys’ F370, Fortus 380mc, Fortus 380mc Carbon Fiber Edition, Fortus 400mc, Fortus 450mc, Fortus 900mc, and the F900 platforms.