Fab Flow, from Desktop Metal, is a fully integrated prototype ordering and workflow management system for internal additive fabrication shops. The customizable tool, available in free and standard packages, gives shop managers better visibility and control over their workflows, and gives design engineers managed 3D design communication and graphical version tracking of their parts.

“One of the major pain points for internal shop managers and design engineers is that their communication is difficult, unclear and requires too much back-and-forth,” said Rick Chin, co-founder and VP of Software Solutions, Desktop Metal, who previously founded the highly successful SOLIDWORKS eDrawings product, which defined a new paradigm in engineering communication. “Additionally, managers and designers find themselves having to cobble together multiple software products, making the prototype ordering process manual, slow and error prone. With Fab Flow, we’re eliminating these constraints with an all-in-one, secure solution that will help to accelerate 3D printing across industries.”

Building on the beta version of the software first previewed at IMTS in November 2018, Fab Flow enables managers to improve operations across the shop floor, identify underused machines and spot backlogs before they build up. Shops can also provide internal customers with a simple ordering interface, which reflects the shop’s equipment, technologies, and processes. This allows more accurate price quoting, automated printability analysis, and delivery estimates for ordered parts. Design engineers can communicate, iterate and track the progress of their parts in real-time, which means they always know where their part is in the process.

Key features of Fab Flow include:
● Customizable shop configuration and ordering interface
● Instant and comprehensive price quoting
● Live job tracking and updates
● Automated printability analysis
● Interactive 3D model viewer for designers
● Contextualized design communication

Fab Flow can be used across both metal and plastic 3D printing systems. It is currently available in two packages, free and standard versions, offering shop managers the flexibility to choose a solution that best meets their workflow and needs.

Desktop Metal
www.desktopmetal.com