3D Systems is combining 3DXpert with SOLIDWORKS from Dassault Systèmes, which will enable SOLIDWORKS users to prepare and optimize designs for plastic and metal additive manufacturing.

3DXpert for SOLIDWORKS provides a new layer of tools, accessible in a familiar CAD environment to prepare and optimize designs for additive manufacturing. The tools will help designers produce complex geometries, light-weight parts without compromising strength, and apply surface texture for functional or aesthetic benefits.

Capitalizing on the rapid advance of additive manufacturing — many analyst reports estimate industry revenue will top $20B by the year 2020, customers are now shifting from rapid prototyping to mainstream production. Despite the projected rapid growth, designers are not fully exploiting additive manufacturing capabilities, simply because the way to get there is either not accessible or too difficult to navigate. 3DXpert for SOLIDWORKS provides an integrated solution that streamlines preparation and optimization stages from design to manufacturing.

Designers using 3DXpert for SOLIDWORKS will be able to:
–Maintain design integrity by working with native CAD solids without converting them into STL, or toggling between several software programs to accomplish all tasks.

–Optimize structures with rapid creation of lattice-based structures for light-weighting and applying surface textures.

–Ensure quality printed parts by using real-time analysis for best-fit positioning and orientation of the part.

–Accelerate preparation time by employing automatic features such as tray setup, and estimation of material usage and build time.

“We are excited to partner with Dassault Systèmes and help customers experience the reality of 3D printing through the new 3DXpert for SOLIDWORKS offering,” said Vyomesh Joshi, president and chief executive officer, 3D Systems.

“We’ve seen a tremendous increase in the adoption of additive manufacturing,” said Gian Paolo Bassi, CEO, SOLIDWORKS, Dassault Systèmes. “As a result, we collaborated with 3D Systems to provide SOLIDWORKS users with the tools to help them design specifically for additive manufacturing, which requires a different set of operations and rules than more traditional, subtractive manufacturing.”

Available exclusively to SOLIDWORKS customers, and included in their annual subscription, the standard edition of 3DXpert for SOLIDWORKS is available via download. Additional add-ons with advanced lattice design, lattice optimization tools, and a new 3DXpert for SOLIDWORKS Professional edition are available through SOLIDWORKS’ VAR network. For more information on – or to download – 3DXpert for SOLIDWORKS, please visit the 3D Systems website, or theSOLIDWORKS website.

3D Systems
www.3dsystems.com