Solukon upgrades SPR-Pathfinder depowdering software
Solukon Maschinenbau GmbH, Augsburg, Germany, has launched SPR-Pathfinder PRO, an upgraded version of its software for planning and validating the depowdering of Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) metal parts. The company has also introduced SPR-Pathfinder BASIC, a lower-cost version aimed at components of moderate complexity.
According to Solukon, SPR-Pathfinder PRO was developed in response to increasing part complexity in metal Additive Manufacturing applications. The software offers higher simulation resolution, process time prediction capabilities and enhanced validation of depowdering strategies during the design phase.
As metal Additive Manufacturing geometries become increasingly complex, manufacturers are placing greater emphasis on ensuring that powder can be removed reliably from internal channels and cavities. Solukon states that SPR-Pathfinder PRO is intended to help users assess depowderability during component design, reducing the risk of costly redesigns and post-build processing challenges.
The software supports simulations using up to one million particles and an unlimited number of voxels, enabling the analysis of highly complex internal structures, including sub-millimetre channels and densely packed internal surfaces. During simulation, component movements replicate those used in Solukon depowdering machines, providing users with a representation of the planned cleaning process.
The PRO version also introduces cross-sectional visualisation in the X, Y and Z planes, allowing users to inspect internal geometries and identify potential powder traps before production begins. In addition, the software can estimate calculation and depowdering times, providing data intended to support production planning.
“At Solukon, we have always believed that reliable automated depowdering depends on the alignment of machine, process and software,” stated Andreas Hartmann, CEO and CTO of Solukon. “The parts our customers produce today are more complex than ever, and SPR-Pathfinder PRO reflects years of software development focused on increasingly demanding Additive Manufacturing applications.”
“SPR-Pathfinder PRO is the result of working closely with operators who push LPBF to its limits every day,” stated Hemank Raj, owner of SPR-Pathfinder. “The standard version already removes the guesswork from depowdering program creation. With PRO, we go further: users can now look inside the most complex geometries, predict process time with confidence, and validate depowderability before the first layer is printed. That changes how engineers think about post-processing from the very start of a project.”
SPR-Pathfinder software uses CAD data from a complete build job to calculate motion sequences for powder removal based on a digital twin of the component. The software is compatible with selected Solukon depowdering machines and can be operated on standard Windows-based computers or servers.
SPR-Pathfinder BASIC provides automated cleaning-program generation for moderately complex components, while SPR-Pathfinder PRO is aimed at applications requiring advanced simulation capabilities, internal geometry inspection and process-planning support.
Existing and prospective Solukon customers can evaluate the software through a free thirty-day trial licence, according to the company.
SPR-Pathfinder PRO extends the use of the digital twin beyond component production and into post-processing workflows, supporting design validation, depowdering strategy development and production planning.
