Apart from the availability of materials, equipment and knowledge, deficiencies in the workflow hamper adoption of AM in many environments, especially when considering multi-material and programmable part properties. Accurately capturing and realizing the user's intent from CAD to printed part is a ever increasing problem with all new possibilities in AM.

 

While 3D printing exists for over 30 years, and many companies have the technology (in house) available for several decades, the wide spread adoption is hampered by limitations in the complete workflow from (CAD) design to realisation of (useful) printed parts in various stages of the product life cycle, especially when multi-material functional parts need to be printed.

 

In this talk some real world examples are shown where these limitations exists and how they can be overcome using software, materials, equipment and processes. The examples come from joint developments done by Ultimaker with material suppliers and end customers in the automotive and other industries.

Peter Brier has over 20 years experience in the High Tech Industry, developing research and production equipment for Security Printing, Printed Electronics, Solar Cell and Additive Manufacuring. Currently Peter is working at Ultimaker as a Print System Architect and working on the next generation of AM systems.

Ultimaker B.V. (UM) is a Dutch manufacturer of professional desktop 3D printers. It is one of the leading brands in this industry. The company currently has over 350 employees (located in NL, USA and Asia), with close to 100 people in R&D and production in the Netherlands and the USA. Ultimaker has global coverage with a worldwide sales network of over 200 resellers.