PostProcess’ Connect3D Software Unifies AM Digital Thread

PostProcess Technologies’ Connect3D Additive Manufacturing (AM) Platform is designed to provide a multidimensional foundation to address long-standing gaps in the postprinting market. It applies artifical intelligence (AI) capabilities to automatically generate optimized recipes for unique, part-specific requirement, the company says. The platform is also said to leverage Industrial IoT capabilities to optimize solution performance and maximize customer value, and complements the company’s Automat3D software application. 

As an Industry 4.0 solution, the software integrates with factory automation systems to support initiatives that automate lights-out manufacturing for high-scale part production. The company says the platform is built on an open architecture that includes public application programming interfaces (APIs) to unify the additive digital thread and interoperate with third party software applications across the additive workflow, such as MES solutions, print management software and CAD applications.

The software is said to enable users to maximize their AM workflows with several mission-critical features such as intuitive presentation of alerts and alarms for real-time operations management and access to historical information. It also includes planning and scheduling features for maximum utilization and efficient operations, as well as remote monitoring for anytime-anywhere visibility to system status and supervisory management and control. It enables notification services over text or email to stay informed of process status in real-time and enterprise-grade features such as role-based user administration, efficient license management and robust security 

The program is designed to utilize data analytics and machine learning to improve the performance of its full-stack solutions, and unify printing and postprinting processes into an end-to-end solution. The company says the software links the finishing or postprinting stage to the part’s digital thread to unify the complete workflow. The Connect3D AM Platform is available as an annual subscription service.