SLM Solutions and Identify3D are to productise their joint developments around data protection and licensing in order to secure intellectual property (IP).
The pair first partnered almost 12 months ago with an agreement that Identify3D would supply a solution for data protection and contractual and manufacturing licensing from design through to production on SLM Solutions’ additive manufacturing platforms.
Identify3D’s software is made up of modules that protect, manage, enforce, and trace data between the design of a part in CAD and the printing of the part on an AM machine. Through this process, data is secured in encrypted files meaning the owner has full traceability of the designs, able to know who is accessing the file and when, and ultimately defending themselves from the potential of IP loss. Qualified processes are locked to limit operator error, and ensure compliance, repeatability, and quality control.
As SLM Solution recognises the growing move by users towards production on its metal additive manufacturing machines, the company has made an effort to step up its commitment to providing security around designs and manufacturing processes.
“SLM Solutions recognises the trend as additive transforms manufacturing into a digital workflow,” commented Gereon Heinemann, CTO of SLM Solutions Group. “By working together with Identify3D, we aim to offer users not only robust manufacturing systems, but a strategy to integrate both security and traceability which are essential elements to production manufacturing processes.”
“Identify3D software integrates into users’ current workflows but offers a new level of process security,” added Stephen Thomas, co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Identify3D. “Manufacturers can implement different strategies to limit the number of times a part can be printed, set an expiration date on the design, and automatically delete files from machines after a build. Validity checks allow an audit of their design throughout the selective laser melting process.”