Materialise and Renishaw join forces to increase the efficiency of metal 3D printing

Materialise, a leading global provider of 3D printing software and services, and Renishaw, a global engineering technology company, have announced a partnership to increase the efficiency and productivity of manufacturers using Renishaw’s additive manufacturing systems.

Through the partnership, users of Renishaw systems will benefit from Materialise’s latest build processor software designed specifically for the RenAM 500 series of metal-based AM systems. In addition, they will have access to Magics, Materialise’s data and build preparation software. This enables users of Renishaw AM systems to have a seamless workflow from design to 3D printed part, allowing control and customization of the 3D printing process, shortening production time and increasing the efficiency of their AM operations.

More and more manufacturing companies are turning to additive manufacturing to produce metal parts on an industrial scale. One important technology for this is Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF), which allows users to customize printing parameters for increased productivity. However, LPBF can be challenging for inexperienced users, so additional training may be required to get the most out of the technology.

“Working with Materialise enables us to support Renishaw users deploying 3D printing in a host of different manufacturing applications,” said Matt Parkes, AM Strategic Development Manager at Renishaw. “Their next-generation build processors, in combination with their software portfolio, complement our recent technology updates. We’re pleased to be collaborating on the tools needed to support the industry as metal 3D printing becomes an essential piece of the manufacturing puzzle.”

Materialise’s next generation build processor complements Renishaw’s recently introduced TEMPUS technology. This new scanning algorithm for the RenAM 500 Series allows the laser to fire during the recoater process, saving up to nine seconds per build layer and reducing build time by up to 50 percent without compromising part quality. In addition, the software speeds up data processing of complex geometries and large part volumes. The new build processor also allows dedicated print parameters to be set at part level, increasing productivity and optimizing quality, making it a viable solution for the serial production of different or identical parts.

“This partnership enables a unique approach to efficient metal 3D printing. The combination of Renishaw’s TEMPUS technology and the ability of Materialise’s build processor to process data at high speeds can significantly reduce production time,” said Karel Brans, Senior Director Partnerships at Materialise. “Partnering with 3D printer manufacturers maximises efficiency by optimising build preparation and streamlining build jobs. This enables manufacturing at all volumes and levels of customisation, allowing users to scale production.”

Manufacturing companies can also rely on the Materialise Build Processor Software Development Kit to create their own intellectual property. The open software system allows them to customize their own next-generation build processor tailored to their metal-based 3D printing applications. Customized build processors can help further improve cost efficiency, production speed and part quality, enabling the manufacture of complex parts and mass production of identical or personalized products with consistent quality, reduced scrap rates and shortened lead times.