10/21/22
Innovative Software for Additive Manufacturing
The 3D printing software 4D_Additive is the one-stop-shop for 3D printing and the most advanced bridge between CAD and 3D printing.
The innovative software solution redefines data management and technological possibilities in additive manufacturing. From November 15 to 18, 2022, software developer CoreTechnologie will present the new version 1.4 of the tool live at the Formnext 2022 trade show in Frankfurt, Hall 12.0, Stand D79.
With innovative functionalities, the 4D_Additive software is unique in the market. The tool imports and processes STL as well as all common CAD formats, including CATIA, NX, SolidWorks, CREO, Inventor, XT, STEP, and JT with Product Manufacturing Information (PMI), attributes, and design history. 4D_Additive repairs, prepares, and optimizes data with precise and lightweight B-Rep geometry for excellent print quality according to the CAD engineering standards VDA 4755/2. Technology partnerships with EOS, HP, Photocentric, Ultimaker, Volumic, and Weirather, as well as Substance by Adobe, are crucial to realizing the best 3D printing tools and direct machine connections.
New Nesting Functions in 4D_Additive 1.4
The highlight of the software is the revamped nesting functions. Compared to the previous version, the software now offers further optimized packing speed, accuracy, packing density, and even more even distribution of components in the build space.
Artificial Intelligence Supports Placement and Distribution
The placement of parts in the print volume considers the area of each part in each layer and calculates the most even distribution to minimize heat accumulation. The new Powercopy function allows for extremely fast packing of identical parts with maximum packing density. At the end of the calculation, a report is generated showing this distribution in the form of a histogram. Also new is the automatic detection and adjustment of files with inconsistent units to process parts in inches or millimeters directly when the models are loaded.
Repair of Scan Data and STL Reduction
In the geometry repair workshop, new functions are available for correcting and simplifying STL models and scan data. These repair and simplify triangle models, with the Marching Cube technology generating a closed volume for high-quality prints even from scan data very quickly and effortlessly. The Mesh Simplification tool significantly reduces the number of triangles needed to describe an object without altering the appearance or shape of the STL data.
The analysis and modeling workshop now features new cutting modes, such as dovetail joints, overlapping, and puzzle-shaped cuts. An automatic creation of a separate connector in the dovetail joint mode has also been added. All types of cuts are available for exact CAD data. The separated components can be saved as solid volume bodies in STEP or STL format.
The new Cocoon tool creates an exact print of an object to form a mold or support structure. Also new is the triangle selection tool, as well as the ability to assign colors to triangles.
Gyroid Lattice Structures for Lightweight Parts
The advanced lattice function generates 18 types of internal and external lattice structures for designing lightweight parts or for medical applications. Numerous parameters can be adjusted, such as variable cell size, to precisely match the part to the strength requirements while optimizing its weight.
Extensive Texture Library and New Labeling Tool
The 4D_Additive software allows for the import of textures from Substance by Adobe, with a library of about 5,000 templates. A new labeling tool enables the easy creation of labels, QR codes, and logos. Also possible is the optimized calculation of texture areas with cylindrical mapping, as well as manual correction of mappings. The tool provides transparency for overlapping textures, such as logos on a leather texture. The generation of distortions due to asymmetric extrusion, as well as the activation and deactivation of texture channels, are also possible with 4D_Additive.
New Machine Interfaces
Through integrated interfaces for EOS, HP, Photocentric, Ultimaker, Volumic, and Weirather, upcoming print jobs can be sent directly to the printer. Some API connections, such as with HP, allow for progress tracking of ongoing jobs in terms of status and material. New are the slicing functions for creating specific and optimized slicings for FDM and SLA, as well as a build manager for SLS laser processes. New export formats and adjustments include:
• 3MF files for HP machines
• GCODE files for Volumic printers
• GCODE files for Ultimaker printers
• WLS files for Weirather printers
It is possible to export only a selection or the visible elements.
New 3D printers have been added to the 4D_Additive machine database. Additionally, the new version includes an assistant that guides the user step-by-step to the correct technology.