Materialise and Renishaw Announce Partnership to Increase Efficiency of Metal 3D Printing

Manufacturing companies are increasingly adopting additive manufacturing to produce metal parts on an industrial scale. A significant technology for industrial 3D printing is laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), which offers users the ability to adapt print parameters for increased productivity. However, LPBF can be challenging for inexperienced users, so additional training may be required to get the most from the technology. Software allows manufacturers to unlock the full potential of the technology by optimizing the 3D printing process and streamlining the workflow.

“Working with Materialise enables us to support Renishaw users deploying 3D printing in a host of different manufacturing applications,” said Matt Parkes, AM Strategic Development Manager at Renishaw. “Their next-generation build processors, in combination with their software portfolio, complement our recent technology updates. We’re pleased to be collaborating on the tools needed to support the industry as metal 3D printing becomes an essential piece of the manufacturing puzzle.”

Build processors link 3D printers with data preparation software, streamlining the additive manufacturing process from design to print. Materialise’s next-generation build processor complements Renishaw’s recently launched TEMPUS™ technology. This new scanning algorithm for Renishaw’s RenAM 500 series of AM machines allows the laser to fire while the recoater moves, saving up to nine seconds per build layer without reducing part quality. With this advancement, part build time can be cut by up to 50 percent. Materialise’s next-generation build processor software handles data consistently and speeds up data processing of complex geometries and high volumes of parts. Additionally, the new build processor for Renishaw AM systems enables dedicated print parameters at the part level for increased productivity and optimized quality, making it a viable solution for the volume production of different or identical parts.

“This partnership enables a unique approach to efficient metal 3D printing. The combination of Renishaw’s TEMPUS technology and the ability of Materialise’s build processor to process data at high speeds can significantly reduce production time,” said Karel Brans, Senior Director of Partnerships at Materialise. “Partnering with 3D printer manufacturers maximizes efficiency by optimizing build preparation and streamlining build jobs. This enables manufacturing at all volumes and levels of customization, allowing users to scale production.”

The build processor for Renishaw AM systems allows users to seamlessly connect to Materialise Magics. This is a technology-neutral data and build preparation software that offers compatibility with nearly all import file formats and connectivity to all major 3D printing technologies. It provides users with advanced workflow control and automation, including the recently launched e-Stage for Metal+. This software optimizes data and build preparation for LPBF systems using physics-based modeling to automate support structure generation.

Manufacturing companies can also rely on the Materialise Build Processor Software Development Kit to create their own intellectual property. The open software system allows them to build their own next-generation build processor tailored to their metal 3D printing application. Customized build processors can help to further enhance cost efficiency, production speed, and part quality, which makes it possible to manufacture intricate parts and mass-produce identical or personalized products with consistent quality, reduced scrap rates, and abbreviated lead times.

Pictures are available for download here.

About Materialise

Materialise incorporates more than three decades of 3D printing experience into a range of software solutions and 3D printing services that empower sustainable 3D printing applications. Our open, secure, and flexible end-to-end solutions enable industrial manufacturing and mass personalization in various industries — including healthcare, automotive, aerospace, eyewear, art and design, wearables, and consumer goods. Headquartered in Belgium and with branches worldwide, Materialise combines the largest group of software developers in the industry with one of the world's largest and most complete 3D printing facilities

About Renishaw

Renishaw is a world leading supplier of measuring systems and manufacturing systems. Its products give high accuracy and precision, gathering data to provide customers and end users with traceability and confidence in what they’re making. This technology also helps its customers to innovate their products and processes.

It is a global business, with over 5,000 employees located in the 36 countries where it has wholly owned subsidiary operations. The majority of R&D work takes place in the UK, with the largest manufacturing sites located in the UK, Ireland, and India.

For the year ended June 2023 Renishaw recorded sales of £688.6 million of which 95% was due to exports. The company’s largest markets are China, USA, Japan and Germany.

Renishaw is guided by its purpose: Transforming Tomorrow Together. This means working with its customers to make the products, create the materials, and develop the therapies that are going to be needed for the future.

Further information at www.renishaw.com