• April 22, 2023,  3 min read

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OptiFab's Journey: Reinforcing the Foundations of Additive Manufacturing

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In the fast-paced world of 3D printing, OptiFab has risen to the forefront with a deep understanding of the importance of increased productivity, consistent part quality, and unwavering commitment to quality control. Although no catastrophic incidents have occurred in the aerospace and medical sectors using 3D printing technology, there are always concerns about the potential risks associated with defective 3D printed components. 

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OptiFab, armed with significant venture capital and guided by experienced leaders, set out to strengthen itself against possible setbacks, drawing lessons from past industry close calls. This mission resulted in the creation of OptiPrint—a software platform with a validated technology designed to protect against unexpected vulnerabilities in Additive Manufacturing. 

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Dealing with part inconsistency has always been a major challenge in the industry and it carries a significant risk.   Residual stress in 3D printed parts can cause distortion due to variations in material characteristics across different regions or heights. After the fact, there was often a need for significant post-processing, which added to the workload of the production cycle. 

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Productivity, a crucial concern, was negatively impacted by lengthy steps in the print cycle. These steps, such as melting or cooling, were unnecessary and time-consuming. These lengthy procedures didn't contribute much to the final product and turned out to be inefficient in the overall production process. 

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Quality, a crucial aspect of Additive Manufacturing, faced its fair share of challenges.  Defects such as pores or cracks can significantly impact the integrity of 3D printed parts, which can be concerning for their reliability and safety, particularly in critical aerospace or medical applications. 

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OptiPrint proved to be a powerful solution, offering protection against these perils. By addressing the gaps in the 3D printing process, it ensured consistent part characteristics, eliminated unnecessary post-processing delays, and strengthened the industry against unexpected challenges. OptiPrint offers a powerful solution for process engineers, application engineers, materials scientists, quality engineers, and production engineers. It created a landscape where productivity, uniformity, and unwavering quality were the top priorities. 

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This was a clear demonstration of OptiFab's strong dedication to a future where Additive Manufacturing flourished through innovation, determination, and dependability.