3D printing software developer Authentise has integrated post-processing system manufacturer Solukon’s Digital Factory Tool into its Advanced Manufacturing Execution System (AMES).
The Solukon Digital Factory Tool is a sensor and interface management offering that enables the integration of automated powder removal into the digital 3D printing process. Combined with Authentise’s AMES, the tool will offer users a fully integrated metal post-processing workflow.
“By partnering with Authentise, we are taking the next logical step after the introduction of the Solukon Digital Factory Tool,” said Andreas Hartmann, CEO and CTO of Solukon. “Seamless data collection and interpretation throughout the entire production and post-process is the only way to achieve a true production line in additive manufacturing.
“Together with Authentise, we are closing a gap in data transparency and open the way for real Industry 4.0 projects.”
Authentise’s AMES
Authentise’s AMES is a data-driven workflow optimization software that’s designed to enable users to create a digital thread of their entire manufacturing process, and monitor the compliance and scheduling of parts produced in real-time.
Over the past year, Authentise has added a number of upgrades to the platform, including an AMES powder tracking update in October 2020 and adding nebumind’s digital twin visualization tool shortly after.
Most recently, the company integrated Riven’s new Warp Adapted Model (WAM) technology into AMES to allow users to capture and use full-part 3D data from an initial design to identify and correct errors in minutes. Scan data from Riven’s sensors automatically loaded into the program’s traceability report to deliver the “full contextual data capture of all parts” to users.
Integrating Solukon’s Digital Factory Tool
Based in Augsburg, Germany, Solukon specializes in manufacturing depowdering systems based around its proprietary Smart Powder Recuperation or ‘SPR’ technology. The firm’s post-processing approach involves the use of adjustable two-axis object rotation and targeted vibration, to automatically remove excess powder from 3D printed parts.
The Solukon Digital Factory Tool was recently launched by the firm to add advanced analytics capabilities to its post-processing systems. The tool provides continuous documentation and real-time monitoring throughout the metal post-processing workflow, and easily integrates automated powder removal capabilities into users’ workflows.
Integrating Solukon’s Digital Factory Tool into Authentise’s AMES will culminate in a fully integrated metal post-processing workflow. By harnessing the capabilities of Solukon’s powder removal environment, users will be able to continue the powder-to-part genealogy using Authentise’s material traceability module.
According to the partners, this combination will increase opportunities for improved post-process inspection recording and recycling of recovered materials, while real-time alerts generated by the Solukon system will allow users to address any deviations during the process and improve powder recovery.
AMES captures data from additive manufacturing machines in order to manage the printable geometries of parts, and can now pass that information on automatically to Solukon, removing the need for users to do this manually. The insights generated are then attached to the existing AMES part report to ensure end-to-end traceability.
Going forwards, the companies will look to integrate Solukon’s automatic toolpath creation into AMES to help users identify the optimum automated powder removal process for their chosen application.
“This is the first time that Authentise has extended its ability to communicate beyond additive devices into post-processing equipment,” said Andre Wegner, CEO of Authentise. “The benefits are immediately obvious: higher labor and material efficiency, as well as better traceability for users. The partnership is driving near immediate Return on Investment for our users.
“The collaboration proves once again that customers can benefit from leaders in additive manufacturing joining to create tools that not only benefit the customer but make the all-important step to creating pathways to more sustainable industrial additive manufacturing.”
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Featured image shows the Solukon and Authentise teams at Formnext 2021. Photo via Authentise.
