The next generation of products will require a next generation design solution to create and deliver them. That solution is available today. In this video, Christoph Hauck, Managing Director of MBFZ toolcraft GmbH (toolcraft), discusses how they are using Siemens NX to aid in industrializing additive manufacturing (3D printing).

Design for Additive Manufacture (DfAM) is a new approach to how we imagine designs from the very beginning. Traditional designs are constrained by what we can manufacture, the material used, and things like cost and time. Creativity of the designer is often compromised due to these constraints. AM releases designers from many of these traditional constraints.

MBFZ toolcraft GmbH offers many manufacturing services, including metal laser melting, robotics, injection molding and mold making, turning and milling, spark erosion, engineering, measuring and testing. Metal laser melting is of particular significance.

When preparing additive manufacturing parts, there are several versions of a part created to complete the process. First, the part is received from the customer, then toolcraft begins the process of modifying it. Toolcraft generates support structures; they do over sizes on surfaces and change the angles of surfaces. They then have a modified part that goes directly to the 3D printer. After the part has been printed, it goes to machining to remove all support structures. At this point, toolcraft has a final part they deliver to the customer.