Editor’s Pick: Fast preparation of SolidWorks files for powder bed fusion 3D printing 

DP Technology introduces ESPRIT Additive for Powder Bed Fusion, the newest addition to the growing portfolio of ESPRIT Additive products. This new application comes as an add-in to SolidWorks, and will support any file that can be opened in SolidWorks. 

ESPRIT Additive for Powder Bed Fusion features “Part-to-Build” workflow, which streamlines the preparation of 3D files including the manufacturing information for 3D printing. DP Technology says this workflow provides “traceability and repeatability while eliminating duplicated efforts.” In essence, this module is a “printer driver” for additive manufacturing, supporting the full process from orienting the part and creating supports, to optimizing the build, calculating any required slicing and nesting, and generating the job. 

Multiple 3D CAD files can be combined into one build, and converted into a job file that contains all the necessary information for a specific additive manufacturing machine to build the part. The job file can be saved and used repeatedly without needing to redefine manufacturing information. 

The SolidWorks add-in also includes thermal simulation to predict potential part distortion. 

ESPRIT Additive for Powder Bed Fusion offers a knowledge management system that connects to the ESPRIT user community and a collection of best practices. The larger Additive Suite drives 3D powder bed systems and direct energy deposition machines. 

ESPRIT Additive for Powder Bed Fusion is now available directly from DP Technology. 

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