Link3D, a leader in AM workflow and manufacturing execution systems, announced at Formnext 2019 the Quality Management Systems (QMS). QMS will enable companies to improve quality and reduce cost while fueling continuous improvement programs to meet customer compliance requirements. With end-to-end quality data traceability, organizations can also gain visibility into their AM workflows, including process failures and defects throughout the Digital Thread to comply with regulatory standards such as AS9100 in the Aerospace sector.

Shane Fox, CEO of Link3D shares, “Quality Management System has been a missing piece of the additive manufacturing puzzle. We’ve been working with machine manufacturers, material suppliers and industry leaders in Aerospace, Automotive, and Medical. Part repeatability for compliance is an ongoing challenge these organizations face.”

QMS lets customers track a part’s lineage throughout the supply chain capturing quality data from material procurement, part design, build preparation data, production parameters, post-processing, final quality inspections and even while the part is in usage capturing any adverse events, ensuring conformance to customer requirements. The quality thread created during the manufacturing process not only creates additional value in highly regulated industries, but also helps in understanding and incorporating workflow and process improvements for various AM modalities.

Link3D’s QMS will help organizations:
• Improve Quality & Reduce Costs – with machine learning, statistical process controls and data visualization
• Automate Data Tracking – with streamlined workflows, QR code, configurable digital job travelers, questionnaires and checklists
• Demonstrate Part Conformance – by locking qualified and approved workflows, then generating ‘Certificate of Conformance’ and quality reports
• Allow for Corrective Action & Preventive Action (CAPA) – to develop risk assessment and mitigation plans
• Adverse Event Tracking – Traceability and root cause for any adverse events
• Continuous Improvement for Part Quality Optimization – with built-in feedback loops to flag ‘areas of interest’ for further review by engineering
• Workforce Training & Documentation – by ensuring qualified workers are allowed to perform work on tasks based on their certifications, which will be traced back to the employee’s profile.

Last month Link3D announced it raised a $7M round led by AI Capital to fuel expansion across North America, Europe and Japan, of which funds will be used to develop solutions that will enable businesses to scale up their additive manufacturing leveraging solutions such as Link3D QMS. With Link3D’s recent unveiling of Autodesk Netfabb and Fusion 360 integration and EOS Machine Connectivity for real-time and in-process monitoring — this is an indicator that AM industry leaders are beginning to accelerate collaborations to develop solutions that will further streamline and accelerate AM industrialization.

Link3D
www.link3d.co