Feb 5, 2018 | By Tess
Israeli additive manufacturing company Nano Dimension Ltd. has partnered with French software company Dassault Systèmes to implement a new SOLIDWORKS add-in for its DragonFly 2020 Pro 3D printer.
As many of our readers will know, Nano Dimension’s DragonFly 2020 Pro is no ordinary 3D printer, as it is designed specifically for the purpose of manufacturing embedded electronics and printed circuit boards (PCBs). The machine, which was unveiled this past September, is an updated and larger-scale version of its original DragonFly 2020 PCB 3D printer.
Through its collaboration with Dassault Systèmes, the Israel-based company is aiming to improve the design process for 3D printed electronics. More specifically, the SOLIDWORKS add-in for the 3D printer will enable users to more easily design complex electronic prototypes made from polymers and metals, which can then be sent directly to the 3D printer for production.
The SOLIDWORKS add-in offers a platform for DragonFly 2020 users to design parts with embedded electronics, as well as antennas, encapsulated sensors, etc. in a time-efficient manner. Other stated benefits of the design software include more design possibilities, error reduction, and reduced costs.
“By 3D printing electronics, designers can obtain faster prototypes and work on PCBs in 3D, not just 2D,” commented Suchit Jain, Vice President of Strategy & Business Development for SOLIDWORKS. “With Nano Dimension’s SOLIDWORKS add-in, for the first time ever users can design and 3D print electronics with a push of a button. We are proud to be partnering with an industry innovator like Nano Dimension.”
The SOLIDWORKS software add-in for Nano Dimension’s 3D printer features a number of tools specifically geared to PCB production, most notable of which is the tool for including conductive or insulating materials in the design. “Users point-and-click to subdivide an object, and then automatically select conductive or insulating materials for different bodies of the object and 3D print,” Nano Dimension explains.
“We developed this add-in for SOLIDWORKS applications as a direct response to our customers’ needs for prototyping increasingly complex designs,” added Simon Fried, President of Nano Dimension USA. “The SOLIDWORKS add-in for the DragonFly 2020 Pro is the first tool to enable the combination of freeform objects and embedded 3D electronics.”
Interested parties can see Nano Dimension’s electronic 3D printing technology at the upcoming SOLIDWORKS World 2018 showcase in Los Angeles from February 4 to 7.
Posted in 3D Software
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