UK-based additive manufacturing specialist Renishaw and Identify3D, a San Francisco-headquartered software company, are showcasing software at RAPID + TCT, designed to secure data in the metal additive manufacturing processes.
Within an end-to-end digital operation, the new Identify3D suite integrates intellectual property protection, manufacturing repeatability, and traceability to counter security threats. Stephen Anderson, Additive Manufacturing Business Development Manager at Renishaw, explained, “As metal AM grows and matures, we are seeing an increased requirement to move models, part design know-how, printer files, manufacturing rules, and large data — particularly machine sensor and Quality Assurance [QA]/Quality Control [QC] data — around our customers’ supply chains.”
“As a consequence, the secure and efficient digital transmission of such files becomes ever more important to ensure that security and data integrity are maintained.”
Complete part data security
Since 2017, Renishaw and Identify3D have worked together to produce an end-to-end, secure digital manufacturing process for supply chains in the aerospace, automotive, defense and medical sectors. This would allow for the company’s customers to have complete part data security, protection of IP, as well as full traceability records on their industrial 3D printers.
“Renishaw’s core background is in measurement products for industrial process control and the company is also a leading manufacturer of 3D metal printers,” added Renishaw’s Anderson. “This unique position means that Renishaw understands the complexities of moving data through a production process involving end-users, OEMs, suppliers, and third-party contractors.”
The Identify3D suite
The upgraded Identify3D suite includes three applications. Firstly, Identify3D’s Protect allows industrial designers to create a cloud-based encryption service for build files and groups them with business and production licensing rules. This is an alternative solution to the existing standalone desktop application offering faster integration with other workflows.
Then, Identify3D Manage facilitates the secure digital distribution of these assets. Following this, Identify3D Enforce authenticates and decrypts the secure container and imposes the business and production rules during manufacturing. Fabrizio De Pasquale, VP Business Development and Strategic Accounts at Identify3D, explains, “Following our pilot projects, Identify3D’s software solution can now be implemented with Renishaw AM machines. Because the data package can define the machine parameters, a part can be manufactured repeatably according to initial certification, independent of location and time.”
“Manufacturers will now be able to distribute the production of spare parts, moving machines closer to the point of use, rather than transporting and storing a part long distances.”
Identify3D is also partnering with German metal 3D printer manufacturer SLM Solutions and Siemens PLM software to leverage its upgraded software capabilities. To learn more about the Identify3D suite visit Renishaw at RAPID + TCT on booths 827 and 1459.
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Featured image shows a representation of a digital security breach. Photo via Identify3D on Twitter.
