As additive manufacturing (AM) moves from prototypes to mass production, manufacturers are setting their sights on the holy grails—the products and processes that will be game-changers. Many game-changers are already in play.
As with any digital transformation process, the devil is in the details, and there are many potential pitfalls that can derail projects.
In 2018, CNC Software Inc., Tolland, Conn., reached several milestones: its 35th anniversary as a company, 250,000th installation, a new user website and the introduction of Mastercam 2019.
Power management company Eaton announced a $4.9 million award from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to reduce the cost and complexity of deploying direct-current (DC) fast electric vehicle charging infrastructure (EVCI).
Thermwood Corp. has added a third print orientation to its LSAM Large Scale Additive Manufacturing systems.
Bosch said it is moving forward with volume production of silicon carbide chips.
Key steps are virtual twins and real relationships.
Sandvik Coromant’s Package Selector Application analyzes a 3D CAD model of a product and recommends the smallest packaging possible using an AI algorithm that calculates the product’s rotation.
The acquisition of CAD/CAM pioneer Mastercam by Sandvik Manufacturing Solutions will help further tooling developments.
While fossil fuels dominate the energy market, expect a new mix of parts as renewable energy and EVs grow in market share.