Velo3D Unlocks AM Black Box

Velo3D is opening up the traditional “black box” of AM with a new addition to its print preparation software that provides users with maximum flexibility and control over print parameters, making it more efficient to scale production.

Developer, available as part of the Flow 7.0 software portfolio, grants editor-level access to print parameters, allowing experience and knowledge culled from previous AM projects to be fully leveraged. This ability ensures companies can optimize default parameters for specific application needs or develop new parameter sets to support material development for novel applications. It also enables customers to fine-tune print processes to support their unique throughput, surface finish, and tinsel strength, among other characteristics.

Prior to the release of Flow Developer, Velo3D operated its solution with closed, pre-defined print parameters, which was intended to help customers fully leverage the platform and get the highest quality output. Now that customers have matured their AM knowledge and expertise, it’s time to give them control over print parameters so they can better leverage the Velo3D AM platform for their unique needs, according to Brad Kreger, Velo3D CEO.

Many veteran AM users have developed their own custom, proprietary parameters on competing printers, which could save time and money if they could be ported over to a Velo3D environment. “With Flow Developer, that investment and proprietary knowledge can now be ported to our solution, which is uniquely scalable in that it can produce the same parts across different printers using the same print file,” Kreger explains. “By importing those parameters, customers can bring their capabilities with them and simply continue their AM journey rather than starting from scratch.”

Ursa Major, an early user of Flow Developer, was able to transfer parameters from a non-Velo system and successfully take advantage of Velo3D’s scalability. “On our first try, we imported a part with highly complex, sensitive features and achieved incredible results that were within specification,” says Thomas Pomorski, AM manager for developer of rocket propulsion technologies. Since then, the company has repeated the same process with other parts, managing to cut print time nearly in half, in some cases, without sacrificing accuracy or quality, he adds.

Opening up the black box of metal AM, will also pave the way for industry standardization and help drive mass adoption of AM, Kreger maintains. “Flow Developer appeals to customers and companies who are approaching serial parts production using AM, and those who are looking for more transparency and control over their AM processes,” he says.

Learn more about Flow Developer by watching this video.