Markforged Adds Simulation Feature to Additive Manufacturing Software

Markforged has added new simulation features to its additive manufacturing (AM) software. The simulation is available as a free trial until April 2023, and as a paid subscription thereafter. The virtual testing validates the strength of advanced composite parts and automatically optimizes print parameters to lower cost and speed production, the company says.

Incorporating 3D printing into tooling and end-use applications requires total confidence in part strength. By replacing slow and costly design/print/break testing cycles with virtual testing, Simulation enables manufacturers to expand their use of AM into the most demanding production applications. 

Larsen Motorsports builds jet engine drag racing vehicles that hurtle past 280 mph. But stock aluminum steering wheels are shaped for much larger hands than those of their award-winning driver, Josette Roach, putting safety and performance at risk. Larsen Motorsports used Simulation to design and print a continuous carbon fiber-reinforced Onyx steering wheel strong enough to replace aluminum. “We can now test it with Simulation, iterate and keep iterating until we get a design we're happy with,” says Brian Tocci, director of operations, Larsen Motorsports. “We don't have to print 10 different parts. We can do it all in Simulation.” 

Unlike traditional software tools that need specialized expertise and time-consuming analysis, Simulation is designed for AM and works within the familiar Eiger slice-and-print workflow. The company says any user can validate part strength and stiffness through virtual testing by identifying anchor and load surfaces, and then entering values for loads, factor of safety and maximum deflection. They can then optimize parts by automatically determining print settings for floors, walls, infill and fiber reinforcement to achieve cost and speed goals while maintaining adequate strength.

“Simulation enables our customers to adopt The Digital Forge deeper into their manufacturing operations by replacing more mission-critical tooling and end-use metal parts with validated and optimized 3D printed advanced composite parts with continuous fiber reinforcement,” says Shai Terem, Markforged president and CEO. “Cloud-based software innovation like Simulation is core to our mission to bring industrial part production to the point of need.”

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• Learn how Markforged’s cloud-based software manages distributed manufacturing operations on an enterprise and global scale with increased efficiency and insight.

• Read how Markforged partnered with 3YourMind to integrate its Eiger software platform with 3YourMind’s manufacturing execution software (Agile MES) and other life cycle management tools via API.

• Check out this story about how Markforged is helping nonprofit Automation Alley with its initiative to create a network of 3D printers at more than 300 Michigan manufacturers — a network which can be activated in case of future emergencies.