Aug 1, 2018 | By Thomas
MultiMechanics, a developer of multiscale material modeling and simulation software, and Fortify, a Boston-based additive manufacturing company specialized in composite material systems, have announced a strategic partnership to improve the predictability of composite 3D printing.
As part of the partnership, Fortify will use MultiMechanics' flagship product, MultiMech, to predict the structural integrity of printed parts before printing, and to help optimize the design by controlling the fiber orientation throughout the structure.
"We see a definite need for better predictability of 3D printing, and we believe that our application poses a unique case for the MultiMech software," stated Josh Martin, CEO of Fortify. "The resulting printed parts take full advantage of the strength-to-weight benefits of composite materials to a degree of resolution and complexity not possible before."
Many companies involved in 3D printing of composites struggle to determine how their printed part will behave. With the Fortify print analysis software and Fluxprint printing capabilities, MultiMech will act as a tool to provide the required feedback for closed-loop iterative design of composite parts with optimized fiber orientation. This collaboration will enable users to optimize the design and manufacturing of parts to fit specific applications.
"We have a few exciting projects in the pipeline that will benefit from the use of MultiMech, including end use components for industrial UAVs and injection molding tools," stated Martin. "We are excited to partner with MultiMechanics to push the 3D printing industry forward."
As the two startups continue to expand, MultiMechanics and Fortify plan to integrate the MultiMech API in Fortify 3D printers. The simulation capabilities of MultiMech would then be available to users of Fortify, giving engineers full control over the 3D printing process, from design and testing to final production.
"We are excited to partner with Fortify because both companies offer users the ability to control microstructural design at every single point of a product. Fortify allows that in the real world, while MultiMechanics enables that virtually," stated Leandro Castro, CEO of MultiMechanics. "This strong synergy removes design constraints to create truly optimized parts."
Based in Omaha, Nebraska, MultiMechanics is the leading developer of virtual testing software designed to help companies reduce physical prototyping and testing. MultiMech utilizes a physics-based approach - denominated TRUE Multiscale Technology, a fully coupled two-way multiscale FE solver with the ability to accurately predict and visualize stresses and crack propagation at multiple scales, simultaneously. Initially a standalone tool, MultiMech can now be embedded into a multitude of Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) software platforms so engineers can perform concurrent multiscale analyses within their preferred workflow.
This partnership comes one year after MultiMechanics announced a capital raise of $1.9 million. The goal of the investment was to grow the company's engineering team, further its product development pipeline, and expand its position in the commercial marketplace.
Posted in 3D Design
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