Software that improves the workflow of additive manufacturing projects is not as efficient and capable as is needed. Current software tools are limited. For example, most CAD software does not include complete 3D printing specific feature sets for “design-to-print” functions.  Many OEM 3D printing software does not create a seamless workflow in one user interface for print preparation, build processing and production management in one software tool.  For metal additive manufacturing, there is a need for software that handles predictive modeling for stress in parts, post processing considerations and more.  Software that only reads STL files limits the customer base.

One solution is to enable users to create custom software for their 3D printing / additive manufacturing system. According to a report by Sculpteo, by 2021 almost 30% of the 3DP/AM software market will come from application-specific tools.

A few custom application specific tools can be found in dental and medical anatomical models and surgical guides applications.  These tools translate 2D medical imaging data or 3D intra oral scan into specialty CAM data, and then generate specific solutions customizable by the user to a specific printer and process.

Tech Soft 3D helps companies of all sizes create powerful application-specific software tools quickly and affordably.  By enabling CAD data import, 3MF and STL export, mixed BREP and facet modeling, and robust mesh healing, anyone can create engineering applications that supports their workflows.

Tech Soft 3D solutions for 3D printing software include:

HOOPS Exchange: A fast and accurate CAD data translation toolkit for enabling applications with 3D data access of 20+ native CAD formats – Catia V4/5/6, NX, Pro/e, SOLIDWORKS, SolidEdge, Inventor, STEP, IGES and more

Polygonica: Toolkit for processing polygon meshes – automatic mesh repair, mesh healing and preparation, point cloud meshing, mesh offsetting and Boolean operations

HOOPS Visualize & Communicator: 3D visualization of engineering graphics for desktop, mobile and web applications; Broad platform support with a framework for rapid application development

HOOPS Publish: 3D data publishing toolkit for native 3D PDF, 3MF, STL, HTML and standard CAD; Interoperability and Archiving

Siemens Parasolid Modeling Kernel: solid modeling component; New Convergent Modeling enables import of meshes from elsewhere; Analyze and repair meshes; Facet BREP models with topology

Desktop Metal uses HOOPS Exchange to import 22 native CAD formats into its system.  The engineers at the company also use Polygonica for automatic mesh repair, mesh offsetting and Boolean operations.

GrabCAD Print uses Polygonica for automatic repair of polygon meshes, meaning that any damaged models get fixed automatically.

3D Systems uses Polygonica for automatic mesh repair, mesh offsetting and Boolean operations in both their 3D Sprint and 3DXpert software.

Renishaw chose Polygonica for its dental 3D Printing software for its key features:  Mesh repair, Boolean operations, and Simplification.  Also, Polygonica is growing in popularity for use in dental.

Tech Soft 3D
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