Desktop Metal announced a strategic partnership with Dassault Systèmes’ SOLIDWORKS brand to advance design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) through education and an integration between SOLIDWORKS applications and Desktop Metal systems.

At SOLIDWORKS World 2018, Desktop Metal previewed an advanced software tool, available exclusively to SOLIDWORKS users, that offers a new approach to designing for additive manufacturing. Live Parts, an experimental technology, explores how to simplify generative design for 3D printing.

 

“At Desktop Metal, we are committed to making metal 3D printing both accessible and successful for designers, engineers and manufacturing teams,” said Ric Fulop, CEO and Co-Founder at 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 advances in additive manufacturing.”

Live Parts technology preview

Live Parts, the latest development from within Desktop Metal’s research and innovation group, DM Labs, is 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, it auto-generates designs in real-time. This capability lets users quickly realize the full potential of additive manufacturing – including material and cost efficiency, and design flexibility. The tool produces functional parts with complex, efficient geometries suitable for 3D printing. For users, Live Parts requires no prior knowledge of design for additive manufacturing techniques or guidelines.

Beginning February 6, an early stage version of Live Parts is available to preview exclusively to all SOLIDWORKS users. During the preview of the tool, input from the community will help guide its feature development.

Building awareness and integration of technologies for DfAM

As part of the strategic partnership, Desktop Metal and Dassault Systèmes will be collaborating on the implementation of future features that enable users to have a full additive workflow from design through 3D printing. The companies also are exploring a variety of educational initiatives, such as metal 3D printing certification and curriculum, and joint content programs.

“Advances in 3D technology from 3D printing to materials science are driving tremendous growth for key industries, particularly as applications shift towards production,” said Gian Paolo Bassi, CEO, SOLIDWORKS, Dassault Systèmes. “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.”

“We are extremely excited to partner with Dassault Systèmes to offer SOLIDWORKS users access to the Live Parts technology preview, and we look forward to future collaboration on educational and additional software tools specifically suited for designing for additive manufacturing,” said Fulop.

Desktop Metal Inc.
www.desktopmetal.com