coretechnologie

3D printing software for an open SLS system

February 13, 2023 By Rachael Pasini Leave a Comment

Software manufacturer CoreTechnologie has entered into a partnership with printer specialist Weirather to realize an open system for SLS 3D printing of high-quality plastic parts. With the new application, the user works in the 4D_Additive software seamlessly from the CAD model until the dispatch to the Weirather printer.

A Weirather 3D printer and screenshot of CoreTechnologie's 4D_Additive software. — CoreTechnologie and Weirather partner to create an open system for SLS 3D printing of high-quality plastic parts.

Full control and flexibility

In the Build Manager of the new software version, all slicer settings and laser parameters can be freely adjusted beyond the predefined parameter sets. The user thus has the full control and flexibility of an open system. The software has a modern, fast, and easy-to-use graphic interface and innovative features such as automatic 3D nesting with optimal heat distribution.

The open 4D_Additive SLS and SLM Build Manager provide access to all slicing parameters. Laser speeds, hatching strategies, and path distances for contour, hatching, upskin and downskin, and laser and Z-compensation can be adjusted by the user beyond the standard settings and optimized for other materials.

The individual layers of the print job, so-called slices, are simply stored on the Weirather machine via the network in a standard svg format. This ensures optimal traceability and transparency of the workflow. After saving the packed slices in wls format, the jobs are visible in the printer’s job list and can be started immediately. Moreover, the integration does not require an internet connection of the printer or a print server and is thus completely self-sufficient.

Seamless process

With the 4D_Additive software, for the first time it is possible to accurately check, repair, and prepare print jobs according to CAD engineering standards based on the original CAD geometry. The software reads all common native and standard formats and processes CAD data as well as STL models with the hybrid core. The new tool covers the entire process from CAD model to the 3D printer. The software’s native interfaces avoid additional generation of STL data in the CAD system. The exact, lightweight 3D data are also used for nesting and allow a very compact description of the print job.

Extensive application possibilities

The open and independent technology enables quick adaptations, such as for new materials. A current example is Weirather’s optimiazation of the printing of polypropylene materials especially for the medical sector and the food industry, which was realized in just a few days.

CoreTechnologie
coretechnologie.com

Exchange of large data volumes between 3D, CAD and VR systems

February 17, 2022 By WTWH Editor Leave a Comment

The current version of the universal converter 3D_Evolution 4.5 supports the latest JT format 10.5. The tool was specially developed for exchanging large amounts of data between the various 3D, CAD and VR systems and enables detailed CAD models to be simplified.

Conversion of Large CAD Models

For data conversion, especially in the automotive, aerospace and plant engineering sectors, it is necessary to convert assemblies of several gigabytes in size into another system format. This is now also possible for the latest JT 10.5 data format. The actual software version 3D_Evolution 4.5 SP1 hereby supports the new STT technology to quickly load a 3D preview of the entire JT model and reload sub-assemblies in the exact XT format. This gives the user an overview for selecting and converting the desired perimeters in the shortest possible time.

Useful Extra Functions

The new version of the conversion software also supports the 3D dimension information (PMI) of JT 10.5, where the 3D dimensions mark the associated reference geometry such as holes and tolerance information on the model and allows the user a better overview.

The 3D_Evolution converter has interfaces to all common systems and formats such as Catia, Creo, Nx, Solidworks, Inventor, and STEP as well as to the visualization formats Fbx, Gltf and Obj. Functions for quality analysis and data correction ensure data quality when exchanging data between the most diverse 3D systems.

The software’s optional Simplifier module automatically creates an outer shell of complex models and effectively reduces the data volumes of large assemblies and complex models. This enables fast, problem-free further processing in 3D systems. By generating the envelope geometry, the know-how is protected at the same time.

The new 3D_Evolution software version is available now.

CoreTechnologie
www.coretechnologie.com/products/3d-evolution

Automatically determine fill levels and internal volumes

September 9, 2021 By Leslie Langnau Leave a Comment

The software 3D_Evolution Simplifier, known for data reduction and know-how protection, helps users automatically determine fill levels in tank systems or room volumes in air conditioning systems and vehicle interiors.

The German-French software manufacturer CoreTechnologie has added new functions to its 3D_Evolution Simplifier software. In addition to the generation of 3D envelope geometries for data reduction and know-how protection, the tool performs the otherwise time-consuming calculation of the interior volume for determining fill levels in tank systems or other spatial volumes in complex assemblies such as vehicle interiors.

From a user-defined starting point within the assembly, a virtual balloon is inflated to represent the volume of air or liquid in the interior. If necessary, auxiliary geometries are generated in the software to limit the interior volume or to define specific filling heights. The calculation and representation of the interior volume is done by a voxel model with freely definable edge length, influencing the calculation accuracy. The inner volume is represented by a triangulated solid, which can be converted into formats such as jt, stl or cgr for further processing in other systems. The virtual balloon can also be used in data simplification for automatic selection of interior or exterior components.

The tool processes over 40 different 3D formats, including Catia, Creo, Nx, Solidworks as well as JT and STEP without access to a CAD license and can therefore be used flexibly in any environment.

CoreTechnologie presents a new 3D printing software version at Formnext Connect

November 3, 2020 By Leslie Langnau Leave a Comment

The German-French software manufacturer CT CoreTechnologie will present a comprehensively revised version of the 4D_Additive software at the virtual Formnext Connect tradeshow from 10th to 12th of November 2020.

Since the trade fair this year is taking place online only, interested parties can get a demonstration of the software on the virtual booth of CT and ask questions directly to the software specialists. By this means, the concentrated know-how of CoreTechnologie for solving the tasks and challenges of additive manufacturing is available to the visitor.

On 10th and 11th November 2020 each day at 10am and 2pm, Expert Sessions will be held, in which an overview of the software will be presented and the extensive innovations of the software will be explained in detail. New tools for the creation of 3D surface textures as well as structures for lightweight components and for saving the models in high-precision step-format will be explained and shown live. The Expert Sessions will also be available as video in the Formnext media library.

CoreTechnologie
www.coretechnologie.com/products/4d-additive

Create a minimal packaging envelope automatically

January 30, 2020 By Leslie Langnau Leave a Comment

The latest version of the German-French software company CoreTechnologie GmbH (CT) 3D_Evolution Simplifier software includes the Simplifier–a fully automatic calculation of the smallest sphere diameter that surrounds a part or an assembly. With this function, the Simplifier enables a time-saving and automated calculation of optimal packaging.

In addition to the diameter calculation according to DIN EN ISO 8062-1, minimal packaging dimensions can be calculated in the form of a box and output as a CAD model of any major format. The determination of the smallest possible packaging dimensions, i.e. the smallest possible space, is used, for example, to optimize logistics costs and to minimize the cost of materials for packaging individual parts or assemblies with a complex shape. This process can now be carried out automatically in seconds.

The 3D_Evolution Simplifier software is used for fast and automatic data simplification as well as for the conversion of CAD models of all common formats such as Catia, NX, Solidworks, Creo, Inventor, Step, JT and more. The creation of an envelope geometry helps designers work smoothly and quickly with extensive and detailed 3D original data in CAD, VR and simulation systems. In terms of data quality, the tool enables the conversion of perfect solid models through data analysis and correction functions. In addition to protecting the know-how by creating the envelope models, the technology reduces the file size as well as the elements that have to be displayed.

CoreTechnologie
www.coretechnologie.com

Software automates the selection of interior or exterior parts in detailed CAD assemblies

February 12, 2019 By Leslie Langnau Leave a Comment

CoreTechnologie (CT) presents its latest version of the “3D_Evolution Simplifier” software with new functions. The new selection tool is for digital mock-up and VR applications and helps simplify large assemblies of cars, trucks, planes and trains.

Scope of data as a challenge
For VR and DMU requirements in practice often only the external or internal parts of a very large vehicle assembly are needed. Especially with extremely large assemblies such as trains, aircraft and automobiles, the selection of the desired components or sub-assemblies can be difficult and take a large amount of manual work and time. Even modern 3D systems quickly reach their limits as complete and detailed car assembly needs to be displayed to manually select the desired scope.

Balloon selects the Interior
CoreTechnologie’s team has developed a new voxel-based function for the 3D_Evolution Simplifier software tool. The software tool selects the desired items through a so-called balloon stretching out from a user defined starting point. There is practically no limit to the size of the data. The selection process takes place within the shortest space of time by using multiprocessor calculation. The automatically selected models, which represent either the interior or exterior, can be converted to all common 3D formats.

The software offers direct interfaces for major systems such as Catia V5 and V6, NX, Solidworks, Creo, Inventor as well as standard formats such as STEP, JT, FBX, DWG and DGN. A clever side effect of the balloon calculation is that the contact body consisting of voxels is representing the interior volume minus all bodies contained therein and thus represents the volume of air or liquid inside. Thus, the automatically created model is a closed volume that can also be used for further simulation purposes.

Envelop Geometry improves CAD performance
From detailed engine, gearbox or machine and plant assemblies, the Simplifier generates exact enveloping bodies as solid geometry, with significantly smaller file sizes and thereby guarantees CAD and VR performance with up to 95% reduction in element count. The simplified models represent an exact representation of the outer shell whose inner geometry has been completely removed.

In addition, the simplified shell provides the advantage of sending 3D data, effectively protecting valuable know-how. When collaborating with suppliers, customers or partners, as well as in downstream processes, automatic selection and envelope geometry generation of complex components is an integral part of the PLM process chain, both for the protection of know-how and for the automated creation of lightweight 3D models used for VR and DMU process or for further operations in the CAD system.

CoreTechnologie
www.coretechnologie.com

“3D Evolution Simplifier” simplifies the handling of large CAD data models

October 3, 2018 By Leslie Langnau Leave a Comment

The “3D_Evolution Simplifier” of the German-French software manufacturer CoreTechnologie is software for the fast and fully automatic simplification of CAD data. The tool converts and handles the reading and writing of all popular formats such as Catia V5 and V6, NX, Solidworks, Creo, Inventor, Step, IGES, JT, XT, FBX, DWG and DGN. In addition to conversion and simplification, the models can be checked and optimized in terms of quality.

Envelope geometry improves CAD performance
With the increasing level of detail and the size of CAD models, the number of entities to be displayed is in most cases beyond the capabilities of today’s CAD workstations. Automated simplification and data reduction is essential for the control of large volumes of data to create layouts or VR models in the field. The fast and fully automated generation of envelope geometries is a viable solution to smoothly work with the large amounts of data, especially in plant construction.

Preparation of customer or supplier data
The Simplifier simplifies and converts supplier data. The removal of internal geometry for the calculation of envelope geometries can be achieved within seconds by pressing a button. For efficient reduction of the file size, solids are produced automatically without any inner workings. The “Healing” technology ensures the automatic analysis and repair of the 3D models. The automatic correction functions improve data quality to optimize data exchange, especially for imported data.

The result of the simplifier process and quality optimization is higher performance in the CAD system and in all downstream processes. Particularly suitable is the method for Digital Mock Ups. In addition, problems in the drawing derivation are eliminated by the significantly reduced amount of data and the high data quality.

Automated product release with know-how protection
The model simplification is automated in batch mode and can be performed for any number of files and directories. Attributes in the CAD data, colors and names of the components allow precise control of the simplification process. Thus, certain components are specifically excluded from the simplification, completely removed or replaced by highly simplified, that is approximate envelope contours.

The envelope contours provide the replacement of the original geometry for an additional reduction in file size. Sheet metal parts can be replaced, for example, by boxes, threads or gears by cylinders or more complex geometries with cooling fins by polyhedra. In addition, Enterprise Datamanager offers various automation options. Web-based client / server solutions, multiprocessor operation, command-line operation and the optional directory scanner provide seamless integration into existing PLM environments as needed. The directory scanner monitors defined folders and processes data stored in them.

Another option for integration into existing PLM systems is the command line. The integration enables automation for the provision of product data, for example for catalog systems such as Docware or Engineer-to-Order systems such as Siemens PLM Rulestream.

Preparation of CAD data for VR / AR
When processing CAD data for visualization in virtual or augmented reality, the 3D_Evolution Simplifier is used to reduce the number of polygons without quality disadvantages, i.e. by 90% or more, in typical models from the mechanical and plant engineering sector. The process is based on removing the internal geometry and drilling based on optimized B-rep solids. After reading the original CAD geometry, the simplification of the exact B-Rep data takes place. Subsequently, the conversion to formats such as obj and fbx with definition of the polygon size as well as the reduction of the tessellation by up to 98% is accomplished. Since Simplifier simplifies simplified B-Rep geometry with topology, no holes or unwanted geometry deformations occur.

CoreTechnologie
www.coretechnologie.de/produkte/3d-evolution