At Formnext, Belgian 3D printing company, Materialise is introducing the latest iteration of its flagship software, Magics 23 with new features that will help companies to scale their operations, use resources more efficiently, and reduce costs.
The new Materialise Magics version provides improved automatic support generation and integrated simulation capabilities for metal 3D printing. In addition, the company has announced an extension of its 3D printing services portfolio with new materials which support high quality prototypes and the adoption of additive manufacturing in the automotive, aerospace and consumer goods industries.
With Magics 23, the latest release of the company’s data and build preparation software, Materialise introduces innovations to increase productivity and efficiency. By offering users more control and better integrated features, they can process large data sets faster; spend less time on data preparation; and enjoy reduced powder consumption. Users can easily create self-supporting honeycomb structures, preview and analyse the structure and get full control over its orientation on the build platform. Part quality is improved using fillets, which can be generated on a single edge.
Materialise Magics 23 also introduces Data Matrix Label, an advanced labelling feature that converts the alphanumeric data from standard 3D printed labels into a data matrix code that can be applied to individual parts. These smart tags are smaller and can be read by conventional data matrix scanners. Machine-readable tags reduce human error and further automate the post-production process, which supports mass-customization.
Materialise offers multiple additional modules, which have been upgraded as part of the new release. First announced at TCT Show, the simulation module reduces the number of failed metal builds by showing potential build errors before they occur, without making users switch to a separate specialized application.
“With the introduction of Magics 23, we offer integrated automation features for metal 3D printing, including simulation and automatic support generation”, says Stefaan Motte, Vice President and General Manager of the Materialise software division. “This allows users to drive down cost by optimizing their machine operations and reducing the number of build fails, all within their trusted Magics environment.
The Materialise Magics Simulation module aims to make simulation easy to manage and accessible to a wider audience. The module is focused on optimising the production process without the need for expert knowledge. In combination with Magics 23, it brings high-end simulation capabilities for 3D printing to the production floor. Users can apply simulation results directly to the support generation and orientation tools in the Materialise Magics environment. It supports fast reruns on a standard workstation without the need for high-end processing power, and can also be used in combination with other computer-aided engineering (CAE) solutions for highly certified metal production. The module also includes an integrated calibration feature which guides users to the correct simulation settings for their metal machine.
With Magics 23, Materialise introduces improved automatic support generation for metal 3D printing. By integrating the new support generation module, users can automatically generate e-Stage support based on the defined profile; more easily edit, move or delete points; and receive immediate feedback on support volumes. Manually designing support structures for metal parts requires expert knowledge, is time consuming, and carries the risk of overusing expensive material. By generating the supports automatically, users can reduce data preparation time by 90 percent, cut support removal time by 50 percent and achieve a powder recuperation of nearly 100 percent, compared to manual support generation. The automated process also limits the risk of human error and related build crashes. This is especially relevant for metal 3D printing and the production of high-value, customisable metal components with complex geometries.
At Formnext, Materialise extends its 3D printing services offering with the introduction of three new materials: polypropylene (PP), one of the most commonly used production plastics; Taurus, a Stereolithography material aimed at automotive prototyping applications; and Inconel (IN718), a metal alloy used in the aerospace and automotive industries for both prototyping and end-part production.
