Products and processes

Computer simulation and the technologies of Rapid Prototyping/Rapid Tooling (RP/RT) are becoming increasingly important in industrial product development due to their potential for cost and time savings. Even before a product, for example a newly developed machine component, is actually manufactured, the manufacturing process can optimize the entire development process. In a further step, the RP/RT can be used to produce first prototypes, small series or tool inserts for various manufacturing processes quickly and cost-effectively. In addition to the simulation, a complete component verification or optimization is also possible.

Reliability and shape accuracy of the products

Manufacturing processes shape the application behavior and reliability of components. Volume changes of the material during processing, for example shrinkage during the polymerization of a stereolithography resin or during the sintering of powders, can lead to distortions in shape, internal stresses and in the worst case even to the formation of cracks. The simulation of manufacturing steps contributes to the understanding of the relationship between process parameters and component properties. Experimental methods such as the incremental borehole method or X-ray diffraction are used to analyze residual stresses.