3D printer manufacturer Nikon SLM Solutions has announced a collaboration with software developer and 3D printing service provider Materialise. The collaboration involves the development of the next generation of Materialise build processors (BP), which are tailored to Nikon SLM Solutions printers and integrate seamlessly with Materialise’s CO-AM platform.
Nikon SLM Solutions brings the industry’s largest part volumes to the market with its NXG machines, equipped with twelve 1kW lasers. This enables the production of unrivaled large parts and volumes in a single pass. The challenge of processing large volumes of data, which could increase calculation times and delay the workflow, is addressed by the new generation of build processors.
Nicolas Lemaire, Product Manager – Software, Product Control, and Strategic Partnerships at Nikon SLM Solutions, articulated, “Working with Materialise, we have made a giant leap in developing a high-performative build processor. With this next generation of build processors, our customers using Materialise software will save time during the print job setup and profit from tools to optimize their print process.”
A build processor connects 3D printers with data processing software such as Materialise Magics. Materialise’s new build processors accelerate this process and offer users the ability to customize process parameters. This development was made possible by the Materialise BP Software Development Kit (SDK), which ensures close collaboration during development and protection of machine manufacturers’ intellectual property.
By customizing the printing parameters, users can get the most out of cost efficiency, production speed and part quality. The production of complex components and the mass production of identical or personalized products with consistent quality are facilitated, while scrap rates and lead times are reduced.
“Nikon SLM Solutions and Materialise share a vision of open systems that enable AM users to make optimal use of their equipment and connect it to their preferred solutions,” says Bart Van der Schueren, CTO of Materialise. “We look forward to offering the next generation of BPs to Nikon SLM Solutions users and providing them access to software solutions covering the whole AM workflow.”
The cooperation between Nikon SLM Solutions and Materialise thus represents a significant step in the further development of 3D metal printing by increasing the efficiency of manufacturing processes while facilitating the use of new materials and technologies.
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