Materialise and nTop have joined forces in a groundbreaking collaboration designed to advance additive manufacturing (AM) by integrating nTop Core, nTop’s implicit modeling API, with Materialise’s Magics 3D Print Suite and NxG Build Processor. This partnership is poised to streamline the design-to-manufacturing workflow and enable the creation of complex, high-performance parts that were previously impossible to manufacture. One outstanding achievement from this partnership is the production of a high-performance, 3D-printed cylinder head for Wärtsilä. This cylinder head significantly improves cooling performance and reduces weight by 60%, all thanks to precision printing by Nikon SLM Solutions.
Streamlining the Design-to-Manufacturing Process
A significant problem addressed by this collaboration is the exchange of implicit design files between design and manufacturing teams without necessitating meshing or other intermediary steps. This effort aims to cut down on the traditional bottlenecks faced by engineering teams when designing higher-performance parts with advanced features. These hurdles have long hindered the efficiency and precision of the production process. nTop brings to the table a new implicit modeling kernel and file format capable of depicting complex, high-performance geometries in a manner far more efficient than traditional CAD or mesh-based files.
Materialise’s NxG Build Processor is a critical component in this venture, designed to convert large and intricate 3D design files into printable instructions. This feature optimizes and manages the entire 3D printing process, eliminating the need for the cumbersome implicit-to-mesh conversion. It facilitates a smoother, more efficient additive manufacturing workflow by integrating nTop’s software with the Magics 3D Print Suite. The result is not only increased efficiency but also the ability to produce parts with previously unachievable levels of complexity and precision. Hence, this collaboration marks a substantial leap forward in overcoming traditional limitations in the additive manufacturing landscape.
Early Access and Future Prospects
Materialise and nTop have embarked on an innovative collaboration to push the boundaries of additive manufacturing (AM). This partnership merges nTop Core, nTop’s implicit modeling API, with Materialise’s Magics 3D Print Suite and NxG Build Processor. The combined effort aims to simplify the workflow from design to manufacturing, making it possible to create intricate and high-performance parts that were previously unachievable. A notable milestone from this collaboration is the creation of a high-performance, 3D-printed cylinder head for Wärtsilä. This advanced cylinder head enhances cooling performance and achieves a remarkable 60% reduction in weight, thanks to the precise 3D printing capabilities of Nikon SLM Solutions. By integrating the strengths of both companies, this partnership not only sets new standards in the industry but also paves the way for future innovations in 3D printing technologies and applications. This chapter in AM showcases the potential of combined expertise and cutting-edge technology to revolutionize manufacturing as we know it.
