Use of structured original data...
CAD data is the source of all component information in the company…!
Introducing:
Automated Partscreening.
A component screening is an important element in the implementation of a strategy for additive manufacturing. This article explains how this can be automated.
Targeted use of limited resources for component identification in development, design and controlling
The identification of suitable components and assemblies is a valuable basis for subsequent (re)design using Desing for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) guidelines. Through preselection, resources are not used for randomly selected components that are subsequently found to be unsuitable for additive manufacturing.
The identification is often associated with a high expenditure of time in which various BOM, Excel lists or drawing derivatives in 2D are analysed and evaluated individually or manually by experts. This raises the question of whether designers and AM experts cannot and should not use their time better. Namely, for the production-ready design of components for 3D printing or the manufacture of parts. Manual component identification also quickly raises questions: Are all technologies and material variants are considered, was the component analysis complete across all variants and series, were all relevant evaluation criteria taken into account and are these comprehensible?
The 3D Partfinder: Automated component screening based on geometric (complexity-driven) and economic criteria.
Results and next steps
The 3D Partfinder quickly identifies components for different requirements, materials and technologies from a very large amount of CAD data. The search strategy defines the questions and filters for the part search.
As a result, the candidates in question are displayed on the basis of the filters. For example, the TOP 20 candidates for complex 50x50x50 mm components, made of PA12, for SLS technology and components with sufficient wall thicknesses for the desired technology. The filters can also restrict the result via component costs, batch size, component type (prototype, series component or spare part) or delivery times.
The selected components and assemblies can than be implemented in design workshops.