International TechneGroup Limited (ITI), developers of the CADfix CAD geometry translation and repair software, announce a partnership with Simufact Engineering, part of Hexagon’s Manufacturing Intelligence division. The agreement extends the integration of the CADfix geometry processing technology within Simufact’s leading manufacturing simulation software.

CADfix has been integrated with the Simufact Forming metal forming simulation software for several years, providing automated multi-CAD import, clean-up, simplification, and the generation of geometry for use within Simufact Forming. The latest release of Simufact Additive 2020 uses CADfix geometry morphing to adjust the original CAD model according to the distortions predicted by the manufacturing process simulation, and create a distortion compensated CAD model for use in downstream CAD modeling and simulation applications.

The simulation process loop from the original CAD model, through CAD import to the simulation and back to CAD, is frequently open with no capability to export simulation results, such as compensated geometries back to native or neutral CAD formats. CADfix geometry fixes this situation. The original model can now be compensated or distorted by Simufact Additive and then exported to a new CAD file that can be used for further CAM simulations or design work. Thus, manual reconstruction of geometries from simulation results is eliminated.

The CADfix morphing process generates clean and accurate model geometry that can be exported back to CAD as a usable model, or to other CAE tools for re-meshing and further analysis. The process supports the import of deformation data from various sources and results in the export of a high-quality morphed version of the original CAD model that respects the accuracy, design intent and topological definition of the original design.

“The role of simulation in Additive Manufacturing is to uncover the most cost-effective way to create parts right-first-time with a design leveraging the full possibilities of the 3D printing process. Simulation allows this to happen outside of the 3D printing machine, saving material and machine time for production,” states Dr. Gabriel Mc Bain, Simufact Engineering, Senior Director Product Management. “Simufact Additive predicts possible manufacturing issues and compensates for distortions due to process-immanent stress and temperature effects. The addition of the CADfix morphing technology completes a critical link back to CAD.”

International TechneGroup Inc.
www.iti-global.com