NX API based Additive Manufacturing Apps

Support Parameters module is used to visualize the presence of support structures needed to build the part for a user-input build orientation. This tool provides quick feedback on support structures as well as calculates parameters such as support volume, support contact area, build height, and down-facing areas (areas that do not need support structures). Because this module is developed to visualize the support structures for a particular orientation, the support structures are represented as lines for faster calculations.

Support Generation module is used to generate support structures needed to build the part for a user-input build orientation. Different types of support structures can be generated using this module, details of which will be explained in the instruction manual.

Cusp Error is a measure used to quantify the deviation between the designed and manufactured part. The cusp error has an effect on the surface finish of the manufactured part. This tool calculates the cusp error with respect to every facet of the CAD body and the average cusp error for the entire part build. All the facets satisfying the specified threshold cusp height are highlighted in green and the rest are highlighted in red specifying out of spec areas. The user can specify different input parameters such as orientation of the part, layer thickness and threshold cusp height and perform analysis to determine the suitable build parameters for good surface finish.

Build Time is the sum of the times taken by the laser to sinter each layer and the change over time between successive layers. This tool slices the body into several layers based on the specified layer thickness. The laser path in each layer is traced and the total sintering area and the sintering time across all the layers is computed. The user can specify different build direction, slice thickness, laser parameters (diameter, speed, overlap) and hatch pattern to perform analysis and identify the build parameters which result in minimum build time for a given part.

Support Accessibility module is used to visualize and generate the tooling/machining sequence required to remove support structures built for a part using user-input build orientation. For 

Recoater Arm Collision Detection Tool is used to detect and highlight the potential deformation areas or sharp edges of the parts that may collide with the recoater arm and damage the part and/or recoater. Recoater arm spread the powder from one side of the build platform to the other. If there is a long-edge parallel to the recoater, it will be more difficult for the recoater to pass over it in case of deformation. This tool can rotate a part and specify the recoater direction and identify areas of the part that may be prone to recoater damage.

Sharp Corner Detection Tool is used to detect and highlight sharp corners in the geometry that are difficult to manufacture in powder bed AM process. Sharp corners are tips within each layer where the angle of the tip is less than threshold value of the AM machine. If the angle is too small, these sharp corners in the geometry may be difficult to manufacture during the laser sintering process. This tool can rotate a part and highlights critical sharp corners in the geometry and calculate the number of the sharp corners in each layer.

Small Opening Detection module is used to detect and highlight small holes and gaps in the geometry that are difficult to manufacture in AM Process. The tool can Highlight critical small opening features in the geometry that may be fused during the laser sintering process. Depends on laser diameter or nozzle diameter. This tool can rotate a part and highlight critical small opening features in the geometry and calculate the areas of the small openings in each layer    

Thin Feature Detection module is used to detect and highlight thin features in the geometry that are difficult to manufacture in AM Process. Thin features are prone to increased thermal deformations due to build up of residual stresses. The thin feature dimensions depend on laser diameter or nozzle diameter. This tool can rotate a part and highlight critical thin sections in the geometry and calculate the areas of thin section region in each layer.

Thin to Thick Transition Detection module is used to detect and highlight thin to thick transition areas in the geometry that could cause high thermal distortion in AM Process. Thin to thick transitions are transition areas from a low area layer to a high area layer along the build direction. In the DMLS process, the laser melts the metal powders and fuses them together. The heat energy in the current layer is transferred to the substrate through the layers beneath it. If the transition area between any consecutive layers is too small, it may cause thermal distortion due to impediments to heat transfer during DMLS process.

Thin Walls Detection module is used to detect and highlight thin walls in the geometry that are difficult to manufacture in AM Process. Thin wall is vertical wall structure where the thickness of the wall is too small. Thin walls are very challenge to manufacture duo to the laser spot diameter or FDM nozzle size. Moreover, thin walls could lead to failure or high thermal distortion due to the thermal stress within the thin wall region.

Producibility Index module is used to detect and highlight small holes and gaps in the geometry that are difficult to manufacture in AM Process. The tool can highlight critical thin wall features in the geometry that may be fused during the laser sintering process and depends on laser diameter or nozzle diameter.