CoreTechnologie Presents new 4D_Additive Manufacturing Software Suite

The software manufacturer CoreTechnologie (CT) presents its new 4D_Additive Manufacturing Software Suite. The German-French company has introduced a software suite to prepare CAD models for all major 3D printing methods.

With 4D_Additive CAD data of all current systems such as Catia, NX, Solidworks, Creo, STEP or JT is read by precise native interfaces and processed as exact B-Rep geometry including all contained product manufacturing information (PMI). This enables ability to analyze, repair and prepare the 3D models with highest precision and according to CAD engineering standard. With conventional 3D printing software, CAD models are usually triangulated, i.e., converted to STL in the reading process, which makes it impossible to handle or repair the geometry without deviating its original shape.

In comparison, 4D_Additive avoids such deviations because of its exact geometry kernel and the fact that CAD models remain in their original geometry description until the end of the process. In the final slicing step, depending on the machine type, also exact vector graphics can be generated. These exact curves can be processed directly as straight lines, circles and arcs. As output formats the software also supports 3MF, AMF and STL.

The new software has a modern easy-to-use user interface and innovative features such as automatic 3D nesting as well as a collision check and distance control for automated and safe placement of the parts in the build space. The dynamic roughness analysis enables the user to determine the optimal alignment of the part within seconds in order to achieve the best possible surface quality, shortest manufacturing time or lowest costs. The tool also comprises an automatic support geometry generation needed e.g. for FDM or metal laser sintering. The know-how database of the system contains settings for all major machine types and related information about the additive manufacturing method so that important parameters are preset when the user selects a machine.

Also the module for texture generation is easy to use and based on the exact geometry, which allows for the precise definition of the texture also on the transitions of the faces. More than 5,000 predefined textures are available for the system. Particularly in connection with high-resolution processes such as HP JetFusion, impressive parts are being produced.

The Partfinder reads native and standard format CAD files directly at the file system level and analyzes the geometry, design elements, PMI and attributes. All information is stored in an internal database. Subsequently, this parts are filtered with the help of a free definable search mask according to the desired search criteria and displayed clearly with a 3D graphic as well as all relevant information in a list. By multiprocessor calculation, components with 3D printing potential can be found quickly and easily, even for very large amounts of data.

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Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.

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