AMendate, a German provider of fully automated topology optimization software for additive manufacturing, has been acquired by Hexagon AB, a Sweden-based global technology company. Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division revealed that AMendate will be joining the MSC Software arm of Hexagon, which provides computer-aided engineering (CAE) simulation software and services.
With the acquisition of AMendate, Hexagon is aiming to offer its customers a software solution specifically geared towards additive manufacturing under its umbrella: “The AMendate acquisition directly addresses a major obstacle during design for companies shifting to additive manufacturing processes,” explained Paolo Guglielmini, CEO, MSC Software.
“It enhances our Smart Factory solutions by minimising time-to-print. We are proud to welcome AMendate to the MSC team, and we look forward to what we will accomplish together.”
AMendate generative design helps MSC focus on additive manufacturing
MSC was initially founded in 1963, and is considered to be one of the earliest software companies specializing in finite element analysis (FEA) simulation. Hexagon acquired the company in 2017, adding MSC’s CAE software solution to its product portfolio. MSC also offers the Simufact software package, which has a version dedicated to additive manufacturing, as well as other manufacturing processes.
Now, with the latest acquisition of AMendate by Hexagon, MSC is moving away from offering its customers general purpose optimization technologies, and instead aims to provide an “innovative, purpose built software solution for additive manufacturing”. The decision to acquire AMendate to enable a shift towards additive manufacturing is representative of the software’s capabilities.
AMendate is designed to help users save material and weight in their 3D prints while enabling efficient, cost-effective production of complex components using unique algorithms. The software’s topology optimization operates by transferring designs into an organically shaped part, i.e., generative design, with the aim of reducing manual effort and streamlining workflows.
“With MSC being one of the most renowned developers for software solutions in CAE, we are incredibly excited to introduce our generative design technology to its customers,” commented Dr. Thomas Reiher, CEO & Co-Founder, AMendate GmbH. “The integration of AMendate’s software in MSC’s established simulation technologies such as Simufact and MSC Apex will enable us to further enhance our technology even faster and make its benefits available to a global audience.”
AMendate topology optimization
AMendate was founded in 2018 by a team of researchers from the University of Paderborn and the Direct Manufacturing Research Center (DMRC) in Germany. Significantly, the DMRC is an industrial/academic consortium started in 2008 by the likes of Boeing and EOS, with the goal of optimizing additive manufacturing.
AMendate’s topology optimization software for additive manufacturing has been hotly tipped, having previously been among the winners of the Formnext Start-up Challenge, as a result of its technology. 3D Printing Industry also highlighted AMendate as a startup to watch from the MUST 2018 3D Printing event in Munich.
Most recently it was revealed that AMendate would be presenting its generative design solution at EMO Hannover 2019 from the 16th to the 21st of September, which aims to highlight “Smart technologies driving tomorrow’s production.” Furthermore, the topology optimization software was also selected by German machine tool manufacturer TRUMPF to help demonstrate the applications of additive manufacturing for satellites and aircraft at the 2019 International Paris Air Show.
Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter for the latest news in additive manufacturing. You can also keep connected by following us on Twitter and liking us on Facebook.
Looking for a career in additive manufacturing? Visit 3D Printing Jobs for a selection of roles in the industry.
Featured image shows complex lightweight metal 3D printed structures. Photo via AMendate.
