The applications on display at the stand include three solutions from very different areas that demonstrate the possibilities of additive manufacturing: a redesigned suction pad made of aluminum from a production environment, a clamping device for bumpers for optical measurement made of carbon tubes and 3D-printed plastic elements, and ski boots with a serially custom-made polyurethane inner boot.

The clamping device for bumpers for optical measurement is an example of the modular RapidFit system from tool manufacturer and Materialise subsidiary RapidFit. The combination of 3D-printed nodes and carbon tubes makes the measuring device very stable and at the same time up to 90 percent lighter than conventional solutions. To extend the functionality of the device, it can be expanded with additively manufactured components made from a nylon/aluminum mixture to include so-called cubing areas. In general, users of RapidFit's 3D-printed gauges and measuring devices benefit not only from their very low weight, but also from the possibility of integrating functionalities into the mounting points. These integrated functionalities improve repeatability in a realistic component environment. The solutions demonstrate how expertise in specific areas can be combined with the right knowledge of 3D printing to develop completely new and better products.

Examples from the aerospace industry also underline Materialise's capacities in certified manufacturing. In the area of software for additive manufacturing, the focus is on three new versions: the simulation solution Materialise Simulation 2.0, the production management solution Materialise Streamics 8 and the design optimization software Materialise 3-matic 14.

Among the software highlights Materialise will be showcasing at Rapid.Tech is the second version of Materialise's simulation software. Materialise Simulation 2.0 not only offers significant speed improvements but also extended simulation functions. These include component compensation, with which component deformations can be predicted and compensated for. The update also simplifies the management of the simulation and makes it accessible to a wider audience. With Materialise Simulation, operators can create a virtual prototype to predict and analyze the behavior of a part during physical production. In this way, the software helps to optimize the print job in advance and reduce the number of errors and costly reprints.

Hall 2, Stand 721