AM3D Conference - How Software and the Cloud are Revolutionizing 3D Printing
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Transcript of AM3D Conference - How Software and the Cloud are Revolutionizing 3D Printing
How Software and the Cloud are Revolutionizing 3D PrintingGrant Thomas-Lepore@GrantTLDirector of Software Products, GrabCAD
AgendaSoftware innovations driving the 3D printing revolution
WHERE WE ARE1.Current innovations + trends
WHERE WE’RE GOING2.Where do current trends lead?3.What new innovations will be crucial?
How software + cloud has driven 3D printing forward so far
1) Easy to access 3D content
2) Design challenges
3) Mass customization
How this software drives 3D printing• Opens the door to more than just CAD
engineers• Engineers can focus on designing new parts,
not designing parts that already exist
Easy-to-access 3D content has been a major driver of the 3D printing revolution
Results• 640 entries• Winning result lowered bracket weight an
unprecedented 84% while meeting stiffness and strength requirements
How this software drives 3D printing• Fresh ideas and inspiration• Unprecedented results• Publicity for engineers, companies, and 3D
printing in general• Motivates engineers to learn how to design
for 3D printing
Design challenges have been a minor driver of the 3D printing
revolution
How this software drives 3D printing• Enables new business models• More options for consumers, better
performance• Generates a LOT of buzz• Difficult to separate hype from reality
Mass customization has been a minor driver of 3D printing revolution
…to date
3D printing design challenges• Increasing number of sites offer them:
Design challenges will continue to be a minor driver of 3D printing
Mass customization• Scanners will get
smaller and cheaper
• Software to create + modify scan geometry will improve and move to the cloud
Mass customization will become a major driver of the 3D printing revolution
How this software drives 3D printing• Shared office printers are the natural in-
office 3D printing solution for high-quality 3D printers
• Barriers: – Need software that doesn’t require
training– Need software that automatically
optimizes print schedule and printer etiquette to get everyone’s parts printed
Shared office printers will be a major driver of the 3D printing
How this software drives 3D printing• Analysis apps provide more certainty of AM
part performance, enabling usage as actual production parts in more applications
• Barriers: – Mechanical properties of 3D printed parts
vary one machine to next, one print to next
– Lack of material property data
Analysis apps will be a major driver of 3D printing
How this software drives 3D printing• Ideal generated designs can often only be
manufactured with AM• Unparalleled part performance• Barriers:
– Software still early stage, generally only provides “concept” models that then need to be made in CAD
– Requires good Analysis apps for 3D printed structures to deliver accurate results
Generative design will be a major driver of 3D printing in the long
term
ConclusionHardware innovations have driven much of the explosion of 3D printing, while some key software developments have contributed greatly:
1. Easy-to-access 3D content2. Design challenges3. Mass customization