Desktop Metal to offer experimental Live Parts technology for Additive Manufacturing
February 6, 2018
Live Parts™ tool, an experimental software which is said to offer a new solution to simplify generative design for Additive Manufacturing (Courtesy Desktop Metal)
Desktop Metal, Burlington, Massachusetts, USA, has previewed its Live Parts™ tool, an experimental software which is said to offer a new solution to simplify generative design for Additive Manufacturing. The tool preview will be available exclusively to users of Dassault Systèmes’ SolidWorks with which Desktop Metal also announced a strategic partnership to advance design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) through education and an integration between SolidWorks applications and Desktop Metal systems.
Live Parts, developed by Desktop Metal’s research and innovation group DM Labs, is stated to be an experimental generative design tool that “applies morphogenetic principles and advanced simulation to shape strong, lightweight parts in minutes.” Powered by a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)-accelerated multi-physics engine, Live Parts reportedly auto-generates designs in real-time. This is expected to enable users to quickly realise the full potential of AM for chosen applications – including material and cost efficiency, and design flexibility.
According to Desktop Metal, the tool produces functional parts with complex, efficient geometries ideally suited to AM. “A GPU-accelerated multi-physics engine models parts as living organisms so that parts can be generated in real-time based on constraints and load conditions,” the company stated. “Nature-inspired algorithms drive Live Parts. Unlike topology optimisation, no pre-existing part design is needed. Parts grow and adapt like plants and bones, changing shape to find the best form for their environment and function.” It also reports that users of Live Parts will require no prior knowledge of DfAM techniques or guidelines to be able to take full advantage of the design tool.
According to Desktop Metal, designs in Live Parts grow and adapt like plants and bones, changing shape to find the best form for their environment and function (Courtesy Desktop Metal)
“At Desktop Metal, we are committed to making metal 3D printing both accessible and successful for designers, engineers and manufacturing teams,” stated Ric Fulop, CEO and Co-Founder of Desktop Metal. “In addition to hardware, we believe design for Additive Manufacturing software tools and techniques are critical to the successful fabrication of strong, lightweight parts that perform. We are excited to partner with Dassault Systèmes on the preview of our latest innovation, Live Parts, and to offer our software tool as a means for educational exploration to the largest community of engineers leading advancements in Additive Manufacturing.”
As part of the strategic partnership, Desktop Metal and Dassault Systèmes stated that they will also collaborate on the implementation of future features to offer users a full additive workflow from design through to manufacture. The companies also are exploring a variety of educational initiatives, such as a metal AM certification and curriculum, and joint content programs.
Gian Paolo Bassi, CEO, SolidWorks, Dassault Systèmes, commented, “Advances in 3D technology from 3D printing to materials science are driving tremendous growth for key industries, particularly as applications shift towards production. Partnering with an industry pioneer like Desktop Metal will help our customers to take the guesswork and complexity out of developing products specifically for Additive Manufacturing – empowering engineers and designers to accelerate complex and critical design applications.”
An early-stage version of Live Parts is now available for preview use by SolidWorks users. During the preview of the tool, user feedback is invited to help guide its feature development.
