Month: August 2021

For a piece to be 3D printed, software known as a slicer must be used. By using the slicer, you can convert a 3D model into a file that includes all of the instructions for printing to a 3D printer. David Braam developed Cura in 2014 for this purpose – it was later purchased by Ultimaker. In the Additive Manufacturing market, it is probably the most widely used open-source software. The company believes it processes 2 million print jobs each week with 600,000 users using Cura. How does Cura succeed in gaining such a large following?

Ultimaker Cura

Known for its open-source slicing application, Ultimaker Cura is the world’s most popular 3D printing software.

 

How does Ultimaker Cura differ from other 3D printing software?

● A single click on an intent profile generates specific applications

● The recommended profiles are tested over thousands of hours to ensure reliability

● There are over 400 settings for granular control in the Custom mode

● The experience of printing is constantly improved by regular updates​

Cura is a 3D printing software that is easy to use, supports a variety of file formats, and is compatible with a variety of 3D printers. 3MF and STL files are supported, as well as OBJ, X3D, and X3D. Cura is part of the Ultimaker ecosystem, but it can also be used with printers from other manufacturers. The software is available in 15 languages, allowing users around the world to access it as easily as possible. The program’s compatibility with most major operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux, contributes to its popularity. The secure features and functions of Cura can be enjoyed by Windows and Mac users, too.

Is Cura a user-friendly software?

 

The option of choosing between the recommended and custom settings is immediately available in Cura’s simple interface. There is no need to manually change the settings when you use the recommended setting – you achieve maximum results with just a few clicks. Nevertheless, the software is capable of choosing the best orientation of the part to minimize time spent post-processing, as well as generating optimized supports to minimize post-processing and layer thickness for the user. The best option if you are just getting started!

Over 400 different option settings can be selected from the custom setting. Other options can be added easily in addition to the basics like the addition of support structures and the amount of filling needed. With Cura’s preview mode, users can also preview how the model will be cut out. The user experience is improved because it is ergonomic. Additionally, a filament can be selected as a profile before printing so that the parameters are automatically adjusted.

 

Cura’s digital fabrication extends beyond slicing

Having become a commonly used open-source software, Cura is constantly evolving. Through Cura’s cloud service, individuals can directly send printing instructions to printers without using traditional storage media such as USB sticks. In addition, users can access their projects from anywhere, as long as they have a free account. Additionally, you can create a Professional or Excellence profile that gives you access to additional features. This means that the user can now import CAD models into Cura via these two profiles, simplifying the process of preparing the model.

 

The Cura Connect service allows printing to be sent to several printers via a single connection, so they can all be used simultaneously. In addition, the tool allows you to plan and manage multiple 3D print jobs from different Ultimaker printers. The interface and its status overview give a quick glance at the current print jobs, possible maintenance operations, etc.

Several plug-ins are also available in the Cura Cloud. One of the most popular is probably the one in which you can upload CAD files directly into the slicer from programs such as SOLIDWORKS, AutoCAD, or Siemens NX. No other software is necessary, since everything is integrated into a single tool.

Also, the Material Alliance Program, launched in April 2018, allows Cura to integrate different 3D printing profiles depending on the chosen material. Ultimaker is currently working with more than 80 filament makers worldwide, testing their materials and offering pre-set profiles accordingly (more than 100 as of today). Cura comes with optimal settings for the French manufacturer Kimya: if you wish to use its ABS-ESD for 3D printing, Cura will suggest them. Obviously, you can modify these to suit your needs. As a final point, Cura has a great community of active users, which makes it possible to share recommendations and best practices regarding its use.

 

Layers.app has integrated Ultimaker Cura into its powerful instant quote software.

Our instant quotation service was designed with speed and accuracy in mind. The Layers software lets you start with a 3D model, quickly create an estimate, and create visually appealing instant quotes that are easy to track. Having access to critical information is now simple and accessible to your entire team.

Layers’ quoting and estimation software streamlines the quoting process so you can focus on other aspects of your business. Layers can unlock the true potential of your team.

Layers.app’s instant quotation service features allow customers to upload their files, select their preferred printing options, and receive price estimates within minutes.

How Instant Quote & Price Estimating Software Helps 3D Printing Service Businesses Compete

 For 3D businesses, now is the perfect time to attract new customers and maintain the efficiency of operations. Your customers will appreciate the ability to order online from you as a key solution. With an embedded ordering portal that uses 3D printing instant quotes, your quoting process can be simpler, faster, and cheaper. This allows you to convert more leads, increase customer satisfaction, and stay ahead of the competition – so you can focus on the more fundamental task of growing your business.

Typical challenges in 3D printing quoting

 

Manual pricing consumes most of your team’s time

In order to produce an accurate price estimate, a considerable amount of information must be collected from a potential customer. Gathering all of the necessary information can sometimes take a series of phone calls or email exchanges. In the next step, you will need to collect additional information, such as payment and shipping methods, when a customer is ready to place an order. A lot of this is done manually with spreadsheets and other disparate software. There could be a lot of duplicate work and confusion as project managers try to move work through the facility and maintain contact with customers.

Manual pricing is inaccurate 

Even though spreadsheets offer many benefits when calculating 3D printing costs, there is a risk of over-typing numbers or formulae, or incorrectly factoring in numbers. Although these errors are easily made and solved, they are often discovered after the quote has been submitted to the client. A spreadsheet mistake can cost your company thousands of dollars, impacting overall profitability.  Therefore, it’s crucial to find solutions that can reduce the need for manual entry during quotes and reduce the chance of human error.

The process of acquiring new customers

Attracting new customers and ensuring repeat business is among the top priorities of most 3D printing service providers. The outbreak of the pandemic has made it difficult to find new clients or even stay afloat. Although 3D printing has been widely used during the pandemic times, many businesses have reported revenue declines or have even closed. How you reach out to a potential customers is one of the most important aspects of acquiring them. Your website remains the key to enhancing your online presence, even with the help of social media, email marketing, and paid ads. Is your website optimized to make it easier for people to order from you online? You can increase revenue by using your website to generate more leads.

Enhancing service pricing

Price structures for 3D printing services can be tricky to develop. In some cases, companies copy their competitors’ pricing strategies or simply undercut their competitors. However, these approaches are often risky because they don’t take into account your business’s unique processes. Pricing formulas for 3D-printed parts and projects must consider various aspects of the business (human and machine time, machine depreciation, software, facility costs), the size of the job, and the specific requirements of the part. Your pricing strategy should also align with your business goals, whether these are to maximize profitability, ensure your business’s longevity, or grow your customer base.

Low-value orders are not processed efficiently

Many 3D printing service providers face the challenge of efficiently processing orders with different values. Many service bureaus spend a significant amount of time processing 3D printing orders and educating customers. Those costs are easier to absorb with larger jobs. Smaller orders require similar attention but provide less revenue. Sometimes, they cost more than they’re worth. However, service providers should consider how they can handle these lower volume jobs more efficiently despite their importance.

Increasing sales by converting missed opportunities

Take the following example: after a long discussion with a client, he or she requests a quote from you, so you spend some time putting it together and sending it to them. You thought the conversation went well, but it’s been a week and the client still hasn’t responded. There is always the option to send a follow-up email, but when you have multiple clients to follow up with, it is easy for those emails to slip through the cracks, especially if you didn’t track the process.

How instant quotation software can help you grow your 3D printing business

 

Automate processes to increase value

Using the ordering portal, you can easily configure the software for your pricing model and include information about your supported file types, machines, materials, and finishing options. You embed the portal into your website to enable customers to instantly quote and order their 3D printing projects, automating much of the process that was previously handled manually. Providing quotes instantly and automatically rather than manually saves your team countless hours of time in the process and allows them to devote more time to pursuing new leads and growing the business.

Increase conversions and reach new customers

A customer-facing 3D printing ordering portal with instant quotation capabilities makes all the difference when it comes to reaching new customers. Your potential customers will not only prefer to shop online, but they will also demand it. As customers search for the best prices on 3D printing services online, your business can use the search engine to locate new visitors to your ordering portal and convert them into customers.

Provide accurate quotes to customers

There is no room for error when it comes to quoting a price for 3D-printed parts. 3D printing instant quote software not only eliminates errors in price quoting but also offers integrated STL file repair tools, which automatically fix models for successful printing. This helps to ensure that you provide customers with better, more accurate quotes and verify their models for 3D printing faster.

Provide a better customer experience

The benefits of digital are now widely accepted – 24/7 availability, simplified purchasing, up-to-date product information, and transparent pricing. These benefits, as well as others, are provided by ordering portals for 3D printing. A web ordering portal, powered by instant pricing, can reduce quote turnaround time from hours to minutes, allowing you to build stronger customer relationships. Through their personalized dashboard, customers can also access their order history, tracking data, and reordering options. They will have more control over the entire ordering process, which not only enhances efficiency and transparency but eliminates the need to call someone in order to ask for an update on an order. They can also request a manual quote if they need personal assistance.

Put your brand on a professional level

Finally, offering your customers the ability to order parts online and receive 3D printing quotes instantly makes your brand appear more professional.

 

Regardless of how large or small, your operation is, there is specific information that you need to know in order to calculate the costs. These are the things you need to know:

Material

Let’s start by calculating your total cost per gram. What is your purchase unit? If you have a desktop machine, you’re likely to purchase it by kilogram. The item may be sold by the gram, the pound, or by the cubic inch, so make sure you double-check and have that information handy. How much does your material cost per unit? A 1-kilogram spool of PLA usually costs between $15 and $45 if you purchase it from Amazon or another reputable reseller. In grams per cubic centimeter, what is your material density? PLA typically has a density of 1.24 grams per cubic centimeter. Refer to the manufacturer’s material data sheet for details. With those values, you can calculate the total cost per gram.

Machine

Next, let’s examine a few aspects of your machine. How many does your machine cost? Using a mid-grade, prosumer level machine, you will probably spend between $5K and $6K, but it may be as high as $10K. What are your machine’s lifetime hours? You will want to know the usage time for your machine. It may seem difficult to determine, but in reality, it’s not so hard. You should be able to access some life testing data depending on the manufacturer. You may find that in the manual or you may need to contact the manufacturer. Alternatively, you can estimate this number based on your experience or when you expect to replace it. How much does your machine cost to maintain and service each year? With a desktop prosumer computer, you’re likely to spend at least 40 hours a year just maintaining the machine and buying consumables – how many does that cost you? You may have purchased a service package from a reseller, which for the example machine mentioned above can range between $500 and $1,000 per year.

Rate of fabrication and deposition of material

How long does it take you to fabricate one cubic centimeter of material? In our calculations, this factor is also referred to as the “material deposition rate”. How long does it take to produce one cubic centimeter of material? You can calculate this in several ways. Slice a 10x10x10mm cube at 100% density with your typical settings and refer to the output values. If you want to be even more accurate, you can use your phone or stopwatch to time the print from the moment the machine starts laying down the material to the moment it finishes. Material deposition rates vary depending on geometry, firmware, and other factors. The goal here is to establish an acceptable baseline average. To be even more precise, I recommend timing 10 prints with varying geometries and weighing the final prints. Divide the time in minutes by the weight of the prints in grams to determine how fast you can deposit a cubic centimeter of material. With this information, and with what we already know, you can calculate how much material you use in an hour, and therefore how much it costs you.

Facility, Human Time, and Software/Services

Now, let’s figure out your costs by incorporating the remaining ancillary points. What is your monthly rent and what are your utilities? These are your facility costs. Approximately how many people are required to operate the machine, and what is their hourly wage? When it comes to setting up and tearing down a machine after a print job, how long does that take you? That is your human cost per print job. How much does your CAD software, slicer, CAM, or ERP system cost? How about your accounting software, your email and internet providers, or any other software you use daily? Combining those costs with the number of working hours in a year, you get a comprehensive hourly cost for every job you print on your machine. Take a moment to think about how long it takes to print your average job. Is it maybe 12 to 18 hours? Can it take up to 48 hours? By calculating your cost, you can get an idea of how much it will cost you.

What is the true cost of 3D printing?

Let us now calculate how much it would cost to manufacture the entire kilo of PLA. Calculate how many print jobs you can get from all that material, then multiply that by your human costs. You will be shocked at how large this number is if you add your other calculated costs together. Using an average deposition rate of 12.5 grams per hour, we can estimate that the entire spool will take around 80 hours to construct. If on average your prints are 100g per print job, then on average you can fit roughly 10 print jobs within a spool. Multiply your total hourly costs by the number of hours that spool will last along with the human cost on the average of 10 print jobs per spool. If fabricating a spool costs more than $500, don’t get discouraged. This is totally normal and can exceed $1,000 depending on your machine and rent. How much should you charge? How much margin should you have? The answer depends on who your clients are and what you are working on. For example, if your clients are in the consumer electronics industry, you probably should charge a markup of 80-200%. But don’t be afraid to go even higher. Time and work are more valuable than you think. Once you have all these inputs, you can calculate the minimum hourly price for each hour of printing time. Add your total hourly cost, human time, and markup to get your price.

 

Layers instant quoting service

Our instant quotation service was designed with speed and accuracy in mind. The Layers software lets you start with a 3D model, quickly create an estimate, and create visually appealing quotes that are easy to track. Having access to critical information is now simple and accessible to your entire team.

Layers’ quoting and estimation software streamline the quoting process so you can focus on other aspects of your business. Layers can unlock the true potential of your team.

Layers.app‘s instant quotation service features allow customers to upload their files, select their preferred printing options, and receive price estimates within minutes.

 

 

 

3D printing management software solutions have become necessary with the growing adoption of Additive manufacturing products in different industries. The introduction of software in recent years has improved machine performance and helped the production of parts be controlled from design to quality assurance until final approval. What is the goal? To streamline the 3D printing process. In addition to monitoring orders, companies can also monitor production when order management and a single software solution are integrated seamlessly. In 3D printing factories, for example, there are tools that streamline large-scale production and enhance workflow management.

In recent years, 3D printing management software solutions have gained more popularity within the industry, so today we are presenting a list of some of the best ones. As 3D printing has grown in popularity, companies facing high 3D printing production demands have been using these tools more often, however, today the adoption of 3D printing has spread far and wide, thus increasing the need for such solutions.

Layers

Layers.app offers an easy way to use 3D printing software packages. Layers ease the fragmentation of the numerous 3D printers and their associated software, addressing the complexity of advanced Additive manufacturing workflows.

Using multiple 3D printers can be challenging, which is why you should consider Layers cloud 3D printer management software, which allows you to easily manage multiple users and machines.

3YOURMIND

It is a software platform developed by 3YOURMIND to serve as the foundation for responsive and automated manufacturing in the future. Production management includes three key components: Agile PLM, Agile ERP, and Agile MES. Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) comprises modules for evaluating and storing files, defining production requirements, and coordinating all aspects of additive manufacturing. With Enterprise Resource Planning, distributed production networks can be automated in order to better manage FA business processes. In addition, the Manufacturing Execution System improves transparency and efficiency by automating tracking and forecasting factors.

3yourmind enterprise software optimizes end-to-end AM processes for leading companies and 3D print services. Software is the key tool for efficient scheduling and tracking AM processes – from the initial order right through to finished part. 3YOURMIND’s automated software suite enables companies to make data-driven production decisions and is on track to become the foundation for genuine Agile Manufacturing. Additive Manufacturing does not exist in isolation: 3YOURMIND understands that production gets stronger when systems are connected. We put a premium on allowing customization of our software to match existing AM workflows. Our robust API provides direct access for your team to optimize data, while our dedicated project managers have extensive experience in improving AM in some of the largest manufacturers on the planet. 3YOURMIND believes that the only way to strengthen additive’s role in manufacturing is by creating industry-wide standards. 3YOURMIND  is working closely with leading organizations to develop these, including umati, DIN, MTConnect, Mobility goes Additive, VDMA, AMUG and America Makes. 3YOURMIND takes pride in developing their products entirely in-house, thereby owning all of the code. 3YOURMIND development team is primarily based in Berlin, while their deep-tech squad are in Wrocław. 3YOURMIND also maintains a dedicated DevOps squad that ensures all systems are running smoothly with the highest possible uptime, that updates are installed without any tangible effects on live systems, and that all work is completed to enterprise security standards.

AMFG

With AMFG, companies can build a management platform that is tailored to their specific needs. It is a versatile service that provides 3D printing of spare parts or finished parts as well as rapid prototyping. The platform allows users to manage orders and prioritize them, evaluate each model for printability, and automate the prints that are launched. The AMFG solution integrates with existing ERP, PLM, and CAD software, combining all the necessary tools into one additive manufacturing platform. A free demonstration is also available on the AMFG website.

Expanding your AM production begins with the right software solution. Whether SaaS or on-premise, AMFG flexible, agile solutions give you the security you need to scale your operations and meet the increasing demand for AM. Manufacturers across industries are already using AMFG to manage their tooling, end-part and prototyping production. AMFG offers you a complete, end-to-end workflow automation solution for your AM operations. From managing your requests to taking full control of your production planning, AMFG gives you the tools to unlock the full potential of additive manufacturing. AMFG knows that the AM landscape is complex, and every company is different. That’s why they give you the flexibility to customize our modular software platform to fit the needs of your organization. Whether you’re using 3D printing for tooling, serial production or prototyping, AMFG’s team will support you in identifying any bottlenecks in your current process and helps you find the right solutions for your needs.

Link3D

In addition to managing workflow and optimizing 3D production, Link3D is the leading AMES (additive manufacturing execution system). By enabling access to the supply chain, customers will be able to experience a superior experience by accelerating response times, maximizing machinery utilization rates, and providing better customer service. Different types of Link3D software are available depending on their function. The first solution is aimed at OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) who need production planning solutions for adding functionality to their manufacturing projects. Another service is provided by service bureaus, which treat customers better with faster responses and production management solutions for additive manufacturing. Link3D provides a suite of mission-critical applications that are instrumental to professionals scaling their additive manufacturing capability. Link3D’s solution enables organizations to plan, manage and optimize their operations.

MakerOS

MakerOS is an all-in-one business operating software for manufacturers, engineers, designers, and fabricators to facilitate modern product development.

Founded in New York City, the company emerged from frustrations they encountered while managing customer relationships and workflow. Therefore, the MakerOS platform provides a way to manage projects provided by users remotely, from beginning to end. To manage the process effectively, a Public Auto quoter (PAQ) provides online quotations. This software solution has the main advantages of reducing friction in projects and speeding up their completion, so every actor ends up benefiting from it. The MakerOS platform offers an out-of-the-box set of tools that includes an automated quoting system, a dedicated and secure client portal to install on your website, a 3D file viewer, a project manager, a payment gateway, and more, all designed with production, design, and engineering needs in mind.

Materialise Robots

When Materialise was founded in 1990, our goal was to enable new uses for the extraordinary potential that 3D printing offers. Since then, Materialise hase leveraged their experience to create a range of software solutions and 3D printing services, which together form a backbone for the 3D printing industry. Materialise open and flexible platforms enable players in industries such as healthcare, automotive, aerospace, art and design, and consumer goods, to build innovative 3D printing applications that make the world a better and healthier place. Headquartered in Belgium, with branches worldwide, Materialise has combined the largest group of software developers in the industry with one of the largest 3D printing facilities in the world.

Ultimately, Materialise empowers their customers to transition towards a digital manufacturing process and to launch innovations that have the potential to forever change the faces of their industries. And that’s what keeps Materialise pioneering. That’s why Materialise continues to encourage, inspire, and co-create for a better and healthier world. Unlike other 3D printing companies, Materialise Robot was developed to streamline the 3D printing process. Today, parts can be quoted only after manual processing of files. As a result, the AM workflow is prone to errors. By using Materialise Robot, operations such as STL repair and quoting are automated. The application also offers nesting, conversion from CAD to STL, printability testing, and part sorting among other features. AM workflow automation enables businesses to operate 24/7, reduce lead times, and achieve a higher return on investment, according to the company. As part of the Streamics AM management system, Materialise Robot is an application that manages, streamlines, and links technologies associated with additive manufacturing and digital manufacturing.

Fabpilot

Launched by Sculpteo, Fabpilot is a software for additive manufacturing. AM factories, regardless of their scale, can use the software to manage and control their workflows and 3D printing. There are a lot of tools in AM to prepare for 3D printing, from STL file repair to 3D file analysis, and also lattice generation. In addition to these, Sculpteo offers tools such as quotations, traceability, and job management. Consequently, by combining additive manufacturing and automation, you will be able to streamline all operations and reduce waste. A company can analyze performance using Fabpilot’s data-driven tools after going through production.

AM-flow

Dutch-based AM-Flow provides complete solutions for industrial automation for additive manufacturing. As AM companies are finding it increasingly difficult to operate efficiently, the company addresses the issue. This technology was designed specifically for additive manufacturing businesses that print more than 200 parts per day with complex geometries. With AM-Flow you do not need to manually sort 3D printed parts after printing, which could entail high personnel costs. A significant amount of time can be saved by eliminating human error and automating processes, as well. Additionally, the company offers a “pay as you grow” program that can be customized to fit the needs of different sized companies.

AM-Flow’s mission is to become the global Industry 4.0 technology provider for the AM-industry. And create end-to-end digitized AM (3D Printing) production processes to deliver the full potential of additive manufacturing – from democratization of design to sustainable manufacturing.

AM-Flow fully automates your 3D-printing process, end-to-end. AM-Flow is an expert in the field of 3D-shape identification and a leading supplier of industrial machine vision systems and AI software for product and process automation. The team members at AM-Flow have a history in both traditional-, industry 4.0 and additive manufacturing environments. The principles of Lean Six Sigma and Quick Response Manufacturing are applied in the automation solutions, which ensures you to run your business at the highest Operational Excellence standards. Serving your customers best. Combining expert knowledge in the field of 3D-shape identification, industrial machine vision and AI software, together with the integration of AM production-line hardware and MES software, AM-FLOW delivers building blocks to end-to-end automate the 3D-printing process, creating a AM production flow.

AstroPrint

AstroPrint is an end to end desktop 3D printing platform available to OEMs for private branding, or for individual use under the AstroPrint brand. Offers a $149 plug-and-play kit for pre-owned 3D Printers. This platform makes desktop 3D printers wireless, touchscreen, and cloud aware at minimal cost to OEMs. End users can slice, print, and store files straight from their phones, computers, or tablets. Won the Connect: Springboard Capital Competition. Raised $40k from pre orders on Kickstarter. Recently signed up a big customer whose identity is currently undisclosed. Stood third in the fourth MecklerMedia Startup Competition at Inside 3D Printing.

With AstroPrint keep your 3D models secure and easily accessible from any device, anywhere, anytime. Upload your .stl files for cloud based slicing or upload pre-sliced .gcode files. Your files are securely stored in the AstroPrint cloud. With AstroPrint add and edit your designs with their online Build Plate STL viewer application. Next, slice and print wirelessly through a beautiful, simple, and intuitive interface. Everything is accessible from your browser so there is no software to install or keep up to date. Using the AstroPrint mobile app or the online AstroPrint Center via your favorite browser you can take full control of your 3D Printers remotely… You can even get push notifications when your prints are finished. With AstroPrint view real-time progress of your prints. Add a camera to stream live video, take snapshots, and time lapses. You can visually inspect your print bed anytime by taking a quick snapshot remotely. Besides, you can also monitor key temperature readings like print bed and extruder as well. With AstroPrint get total control over your print jobs & print order priority! If your account has access to Group Queuing, users can add prints to a shared queue, then an admin decides when the next print should start and on which printer.

learn about your printing trends with AstroPrint’s robust analytics. Keep track of stats such as total print time per printer, filament used per printer/print, success vs failed prints by material, printer, operator, slicer settings, and more. AstroPrint offers the industry’s most advanced features for multi-printer & multi-user environments. Set 50+ permissions for your users to allow (or restrict) things like: Slicing, Printing, access to shared file folders, print monitoring, group queue management, & more.

dyndrite

Dyndrite develops workflow management software for additive manufacturing applications. The software uses GPU to speed up the computation and leverages python to automate the workflow. The company caters to the need of multiple sectors including aerospace, automobile, medicine, and other sectors. As of May 2019, the company has launched the beta version of its software. Partners of the company include Nvidia, HP, and other electronics companies.

Dyndrite Corporation is composed of mathematicians, software engineers, designers, and mechanical engineers, all with a strong belief in the transformative power of digital manufacturing through new computing technologies. Dyndrite aims to unlock the promise of emerging fabrication technologies within production-oriented environments across numerous industries, including aerospace, automotive, medical, energy, consumer goods, service bureaus and contract manufacturers. Dyndrite flagship product, the Dyndrite Accelerated Computation Engine, is a tool that gives hardware and software companies the power, freedom and control necessary to deliver the future of digital manufacturing. Dyndrite GPU-accelerated software delivers hyper-scalability, python automation and eyebrow-raising performance that helps our customers solve the toughest geometry and compute problems on the planet. Dyndrite licensees include hardware OEMs, software ISVs, enterprise developers, contract developers and manufacturers.
To help guide their roadmap, establish  standards, and promote multi-vendor solutions Dyndrite hosts a Developer Council consisting of the industry’s leading brands, including 3D Systems, Altair, Ansys, EOS, HP, NVIDIA, Renishaw and SLM to name a few. The HP Universal Build Manager Powered by Dyndrite, announced in October 2020, is the first commercial application built on the Dyndrite Engine.

Y Soft Ventures

Provider of cloud-based print management software for 3D printers. It provides print management software for printers that enables its users to control and monitor their printer remotely. It also provides PIN access to printers to ensure safety in operation. It has a range of 3D printers for students. The company offers continuous monitoring of the print management software with regular health checks. It has application in the healthcare, education, and enterprise sectors.

Organizations need to depend on a solutions provider who is committed to bringing new innovations to market. This often goes beyond the traditional R&D teams. Y Soft recognized this early on and created YSoft Labs, an internal innovation center and Y Soft Ventures, a venture arm that invests in promising technology from young-startups. Y Soft is also very active in academia with many YSofters speaking at university lectures. Y Soft also has an ongoing Applied Research & University Relations program which brings in new ideas from students during their theses preparation and are often subsequently hired.

While most companies are quick to make a sale, Y Soft is invested in your continued success. When you do business with Y Soft, you work with certified project managers and partners to understand your critical success factors. Y Soft designs and deploys a solution that helps you meet your ROI goals throughout the life of the project. And they don’t walk away after deployment. they offer continuous monitoring and system health checks to make sure your print and workflow infrastructure is performing as expected and preempting issues from becoming problems at your site.

Y Soft has offices in 16 countries around the world — staff who can help you in your time zone and in your language. Additionally their user software is localized in over 35 native languages. While YSafeQ is a software solution, many customers require optional hardware components such as card readers and external terminals. While competitors require customers to source these components from other suppliers, Y Soft designs, tests and manufacturers them. This assures customers the entire solution works well together and eliminates separate support and invoicing headaches.

According to analysts, additive manufacturing will change the world of industrial production in a significant way. Additive manufacturing technologies are able to dramatically increase flexibility in manufacturing operations, which will become one of the most important competitive differentiators.

The companies’ decision-making process, especially when it comes to additive manufacturing, needs to account for the increased flexibility.

By using an appropriate methodology, production network designs can be improved, realistic evaluations can be conducted, and additive manufacturing methods can be used to a greater extent.

 

Additive Manufacturing and Flexibility

Additive manufacturing technologies provide value through flexibility. The main types are product mix flexibility, volume flexibility, and new product introduction flexibility.

Thanks to digital development and production processes, additive manufacturing adds flexibility to production workflow.

Production networks can be made more flexible with additive manufacturing technologies, and the cost is not the only factor to consider when determining whether to use Additive manufacturing technologies. Using an integrated approach for Additive manufacturing enables companies to take advantage of Additive manufacturing more effectively.  consequently, Additive manufacturing system suppliers will see an increase in demand, which is good news for the whole Additive manufacturing ecosystem.

 

Additive manufacturing types

Additive manufacturing technologies exist in many forms today, but they can all be grouped into the following 7 categories.

 

Material extrusion

By adding layers to a build platform, the heated thermoplastic filament is fed through the nozzle and deposited to create the object layer by layer.

Material extrusion was originally developed and patent by S. Scott Crump under Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) in the 1980s.

 

Powder bed fusion

One of the early industrial additive manufacturing processes is powder bed fusion, specifically selective laser sintering. Lasers or electron beams are used to melt powdered material and fuse it together to form solid objects.

Powder bed fusion includes Direct metal laser sintering, selective laser sintering, Multi Jet Fusion, Electron beam melting, selective laser melting, and Selective heat sintering.

 

Binder jetting

A binding agent is deposited into powdered material via binder jetting, usually in liquid form. Alternate layers of bonding agent and building material are deposited by the print head and powder spreader.

 

Directed energy deposition (DED)

As the material is deposited, directed energy deposition melts and fuses the materials together to create a three-dimensional object. In many ways, they resemble welding but are much finer in detail. It is commonly used for concentrating thermal energy through a laser beam or electron beam, which can also be referred to as LENS and EBAM.

 

Material jetting

The layers of material are selectively deposited one after another using this additive manufacturing process, much like the inkjet printer. An ultraviolet light cures the layer after it has been applied. Materials jetting printers often feature drop-on-demand or nanoparticle jetting.

 

Vat photo-polymerization

A technique called Photo-polymerization is used to achieve this goal, where radiation-curable resins or photopolymers are exposed to ultraviolet light in order to produce three-dimensional objects. Chemical reactions cause these materials to solidify when exposed to air.

Under this category, there are three main types: stereolithography, digital light processing, and continuous digital light processing.

 

Sheet lamination

Applied to both Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing and Selective Deposition Lamination, sheet lamination technology can be characterized as an umbrella term. All of these technologies stack and laminate sheets of material using adhesive or ultrasonic technology to create 3-dimensional objects. In this process, layers of the unwanted sections are removed from the object once it has been built.

In recent years, Additive Manufacturing has experienced quite an uprising. Once considered as a consumer technology, additive manufacturing has now developed into a practical industrial manufacturing solution.

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is becoming more popular as a manufacturing method and materials become more available, which can make it difficult for people to find the right system for their specific application.

This article examines the top 6 Additive Manufacturing quoting softwares in 2021 and also inspects important factors to consider when deciding on a pricing system for the Additive Manufacturing workshop, as well as a review of the available software packages.

Layers

 

A native SaaS platform for intelligent Additive Manufacturing, Layers.app integrates smart data management and collaboration tools with intelligent Additive Manufacturing.

You can quickly and easily address challenges regarding your Additive Manufacturing workflow with Layers.app, which helps you solve complex, precision design, and manufacturing challenges. Layers.app enables the simple, fast organic design to 3D printing.

 

MakerOS

 

A platform for design, prototyping, and production services, MakerOS unifies design, prototyping, and cloud management into one.

MakerOS is a platform for efficiency. The tool is specifically used by product development teams to effectively manage their day-to-day activities to:

● Save time

● Grow bottom lines

● Simplify the workflow from 6 apps to just one

Link3D

With extensive experience in Additive Manufacturing and technology, Link3D’s leadership team brings a wealth of comprehensive knowledge to the company.

They share the vision and mission of tackling production’s toughest challenges.

The company is dedicated to transforming the future of Additive Manufacturing.

3YOURMIND

Founded in 2014, 3YOURMIND is dedicated to bringing Additive Manufacturing to a broad audience.

Their first years were spent adding enterprise customers, including Siemens Energy, DB, and Volkswagen.

Their focus on enterprise production allowed them to build software that is ready for the future of manufacturing.

From 2020, Agile Manufacturing Software Suite offers modules that optimize AM workflows throughout the value chain.

In this way, their customers have transparency and scale that benefits the industry as a whole.

3YOURMIND is headquartered in Berlin, the startup capital of Europe. Their office buildings, programming and project management teams, customer success teams, marketing teams, and sales teams are in Berlin.

Since 2017, they have opened business and project management offices in Paris, Munich, Novi, MI, and San Francisco.

The 65+ members of the team include experts with years of experience in Additive Manufacturing as well as young, innovative talent.

AMFG

AMFG offers MES and workflow software that allows the management and scaling of Additive Manufacturing operations.

Based in London, their software is used by businesses looking to expand their AM operations and begin their journey towards digital transformation.

The software provides a complete workflow solution for businesses to establish connections, scalable AM processes throughout their organization and supply chain with the aid of machine connectivity and software integrations.

DigiFabster

DigiFabster is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) company that automates quoting, order entry, and customer service for advanced manufacturing companies through cloud-based tools.

The company’s software is used by hundreds of companies across the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

In addition to a strong team of experts with more than 50 years of experience in software development and implementation, DigiFabster also offers a variety of business services.

As a California-based company with offices in key markets, DigiFabster is easy to reach even for the most demanding of customers.

THE COSTS OF 3D PRINTING – AN OVERVIEW OF KEY CONSIDERATIONS

The advent of Industry 4.0 has led more manufacturers to consider additive manufacturing as a complement to their processes. In order to participate in this new paradigm, you’ll need to understand the primary drivers of additive manufacturing costs. We will examine the four primary factors that affect production costs in additive manufacturing.

PRIMARY ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING COST DRIVERS

Additive manufacturing costs can be grouped into four categories: machine and tooling costs, labor costs, materials costs, and post-processing costs. The use of additive manufacturing can reduce production expenses in three of these critical areas compared to subtractive manufacturing and injection molding.

INVESTMENT IN MACHINERY AND TOOLING COSTS

The largest cost driver in additive manufacturing is the initial investment in production equipment. According to a study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), initial machine costs account for 45 to 74% of the total cost of additive manufacturing. The initial investment in machines is the greatest driver of additive manufacturing costs as precision additive manufacturing equipment is quite expensive to purchase and install.

Although additive manufacturing equipment is expensive, tooling costs are about 30% less than those associated with injection molding. An additive manufacturing component’s tooling expenses account for about 5% of the total production cost. Due to the cost of tooling, traditionally manufactured products are more expensive than injection molded products. It is because layer-by-layer printing makes additive manufacturing equipment extremely adaptable to a broad range of products, as opposed to subtractive manufacturing, which requires tooling that is customized to each product.

How Much Does a 3D Printer Cost?

The cost of 3D printing is largely determined by this. This is the cost of purchasing the 3D printer.

Let’s look at the costs of some of the most popular printing technologies at various price points.

FDM 3D Printers

FDM printers are some of the most popular on the market due to their low cost. Budget offerings like the Ender 3 V2 start at $270. This relatively low price point makes it popular with amateurs, students, and even professionals to 3D printing.

Budget FDM printers produce good print quality for the price, but for more professional prints, you’ll be looking to upgrade to a more expensive desktop printer. The Prusa MK3S is one of these.

Priced at $1,000, it straddles the range between cost and performance offering a higher print volume and great, professional print quality at a decent price.

Large volume industrial grade FDM printers like the BigRep ONE V3 from Studio G2 are available, but the $63,000 price tag is sure to put it out of the range of most consumers.

It has a build volume of 1005 x 1005 x 1005mm, weighing about 460kg. This isn’t the usual 3D printer of course, compared to the standard build volume of 220 x 220 x 250mm.

SLA & DLP 3D Printers

Resin-based printers like the SLA and DLPare used by people who want slightly better print quality and speed than what the FDM printers offer.

Cheap SLA printers like the Anycubic Photon Zero or the Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K are available in the $150-$200 range. These printers are simple machines geared at beginners.

For professionals, benchtop units like the Peopoly Phenom are available for the whopping price of $2,000.

Another respectable SLA 3D printer is the Anycubic Photon Mono X, with a build volume of 192 x 112 x 245mm, at a price tag well under $1,000.

Printers like this are used for creating fine detailed large-sized prints that budget models cannot handle.

SLS 3D Printers

SLS printers are the most expensive on this list. They cost more than your average 3D printer with entry-level units like the Formlabs fuse going for $5,000. These expensive units might not even be able to keep up with the rigors of industrial printing.Large scale models like the Sintratec S2 are ideal for this with a price range of about $30,000.

LABOR COSTS

The amount of labor costs related to additive manufacturing is similar to that of traditional manufacturing methods. The main reason for this is that both methods are highly automated. In both traditional and additive manufacturing, labor costs can be reduced by simplifying parts. Essentially, this involves redesigning a product so that the total number of parts is reduced, thereby reducing production, assembly, and post-processing costs. NIST found that labor costs involved in additive manufacturing account for less than 10% of overall production costs.

MATERIALS COSTS

The materials used in additive manufacturing processes can be significantly more expensive than metal ingots or plastics for injection molding. On a per-weight basis, additive manufacturing materials are up to eight times more expensive than traditional materials. The cost of additive manufacturing depends on several factors, including the additive process and the materials used during production.

Additive manufacturing parts have lower complexity, require less production time, and consume significantly less raw materials (up to 90%) than traditional manufacturing methods. By contrast, raw materials account for only 18% to 30% of total production costs, on average. These costs are expected to decrease as more material options become available.

How do you calculate material cost for 3D printing?

In 3D printing, this is a major recurring cost. To a large extent, the quality of the printing material determines how well the 3D model will turn out. Let’s look at some of the most popular printing materials.

Cost of FDM Printing Materials

FDM printers use thermoplastic filaments. In printing, filaments are selected based on their strength, flexibility, and conditions. The price of these filaments is determined by the quality of the filament.

The most popular filaments are PLA, ABS, and PETG. They are used by most FDM hobbyists due to their low price (around $20-$25 per spool). There are several color options available. LA is one of the easiest filaments to print with, but they can have the disadvantage of being too brittle or weak for some applications. Parts can be strengthened through settings like infill density, number of perimeter walls, or even printing temperature. We can move onto stronger materials if this doesn’t provide enough strength. Special purpose filaments such as wood, glow in the dark, Amphora, flexible filaments (TPU, TCU), etc. are also available. These filaments are used for special projects that require these types of materials, so their prices are above the average range. We also have high-quality filaments like metal-infused, fiber, and PEEK filaments. These are expensive filaments that are used in situations where the quality and strength of the material is critical. Prices range from $30 to $400 per kilogram.

Cost of SLA Printing Materials

SLA printers use photopolymer resin as the printing material.Resin is a liquid polymer that Hardens when exposed to UV light. There are many types of resins, ranging from the standard entry-level resins to high-performance resins and even dentistry resins used by professionals. Some of the most popular resins on the market are Anycubic Eco Resin and Elegoo Water Washable Resin. The resins allow the material to cure quickly, allowing for faster printing. The buyer can also choose from a variety of colors. Prices range from $30 to $50 per liter. There are also resins for special applications such as dental 3D printing and ceramics. The resins can be used to print anything from dental crowns to metal-infused 3D parts. The cost of these resins can range from $100 to $400 per liter.

Cost of SLS Printing Materials

Powdered media is used by SLS printers. Standard printing powder for an SLS printer is PA12 nylon, which costs between $100 and $200 per kg.Powder costs can be as high as $700 per kg for metal SLS printers, depending on the type of metal.

 

POST-PROCESSING COSTS

Post-processing is required for any manufactured part. With metal parts, this usually involves polishing or washing. The surface of additively manufactured parts, especially those used in precision mechanical systems, must be finished to remove excess material. Depending on the exact process and the materials involved, NIST found that post-processing costs account for 4 to 13% of overall production costs. Regardless of the method you choose, post-processing expenditures for both traditional and additively manufactured parts are unavoidable and similar.

 

THE BUSINESS CASE FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

In spite of the cost drivers associated with additive manufacturing, there is one notable benefit: the time saved in producing prototypes and finished products. Even though the initial investment can be steep, the time you save boosts productivity and allows traditional manufacturers to enter profitable new markets. Designers can also focus on designing for functionality instead of manufacturing ability due to the flexibility of additive manufacturing processes.

The aerospace industry is another excellent application for additive manufacturing. More than 100 parts of the F-18 Hornet fighter jet, which has been in service for more than 20 years, are additively manufactured. According to aviation executives, additively manufactured parts on airplanes save millions of dollars in fuel costs every year due to their reduced weight. Northwest Airlines was able to save $440,000 on fuel costs for international flights by using additively manufactured parts in their aircraft.

Additive manufacturing has allowed manufacturers to produce increasingly complex products with less waste and less time.

As well, the costs of equipment have decreased. After adjusting for inflation, NIST found that the average price of additive manufacturing systems has decreased by 51% between 2001 and 2011. As technology advances, manufacturers in any industry should consider integrating additive manufacturing into their existing industrial processes.

Additive manufacturing in the electronics industry allows designers to create ever-more complex devices with exciting new form factors. With nanoparticle-conductive inks, 3D printing can be used to print multilayer electronics devices such as wireless sensors, wearable electronics, and Internet of Things applications. With advancing processing capabilities and systems, applications are only expected to expand.

How Layers.app works out the obstacles of a 3D Printing Service

Layers.app provides comprehensible business solutions particularly planned for 3D printer services, especially ones with small teams. The platform delivers a structure and framework to your business in an unpaired, turnkey solution.

Layers lets users automate the quoting process for fast prototyping. Layers quoter can be installed directly on your website. Clients can get instant quotes from the Additive Manufacturing quoter. Even analyzes model files to determine if they can be manufactured, letting the customer choose from an array of custom parameters.

 

Clients can create a personal profile on Layers.app which they can use via the Customer Portal to directly collaborate with you and your team on the platform. With the Portal, clients can access their projects, files, invoices, and send messages from their desktop, tablet, or phone. By putting all materials related to a project in one place, it makes it simple for clients to stay in touch with you, reducing bad communications and saving time and resources.

Your customer portal can be easily installed on your website. Your brand can even be reflected in the portal.

Customers can remain in touch with you. Everything from the project is recorded and saved. Your team will save a lot of time and effort by having all files and communications in one location instead of having to create their own solution.