Siemens acquires Atlas 3D to expand AM portfolio

Sunata software uses thermal distortion analysis to provide a simple, automated way to optimise part build orientation and generate support structures. This approach allows the designer - rather than the analyst - to perform these simulations, thereby reducing the downstream analysis that needs to be conducted via Simcenter software to achieve a part that meets design requirements. Siemens plans to make the Atlas 3D solution available through its online Additive Manufacturing Network.

Zvi Feuer, Senior Vice President, Manufacturing Engineering Software of Siemens Digital Industries Software says: "We welcome Atlas 3D to the Siemens community as the newest member of our additive manufacturing team. Our solutions industrialise additive manufacturing for large enterprises, 3D printing service bureaus, design firms and CAD designers. The cloud-based Sunata software makes it easy for designers to determine the optimal way to 3D print parts for high quality and repeatability. The combination of Sunata with the robust CAE additive manufacturing tools in Simcenter enables a "right first time' approach for industrial 3D printing."

Chad Barden, Chief Executive Officer of Atlas 3D says: "Siemens is a leader in additive manufacturing, with the most integrated and functionally robust solutions in the industry, so we are excited to join the team. The power of Sunata is that it equips designers to more easily design parts that are printable, which helps companies more quickly realise the benefits of additive manufacturing. As part of Siemens, we look forward to introducing Sunata to customers who already have Siemens' AM solutions and can achieve new efficiencies in their front-end design-for-additive process, as well as companies who have yet to start their additive manufacturing journey."

Engineering specialists

The high rate of 3D print failures is a key challenge companies face in leveraging additive manufacturing for high-volume production. Parts often need to go through several design and analysis iterations before the optimal build orientation and support structures are determined. Typically, designers don't have the capabilities to consider such factors as part orientation, distortion, and heat extraction uniformity in their design. This puts the onus on engineering specialists to resolve such issues.

Atlas 3D's Sunata software solves this problem by giving front-end designers a quick, easy and automated way to get much closer to a "right first time' build. Sunata is a GPU-accelerated high-performance computing additive manufacturing software solution that can deliver results up to one hundred times faster than other build simulation options on the market. GPU-accelerated computing is the employment of a graphics processing unit (GPU) along with a computer processing unit (CPU) to facilitate processing-intensive operations such as deep learning, analytics and engineering applications.

The acquisition is due to close in November 2019. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Siemens Digital Industries Software is driving transformation to enable a digital enterprise where engineering, manufacturing and electronics design meet tomorrow. The Xcelerator portfolio helps companies of all sizes create and leverage digital twins that provide organizations with new insights, opportunities and levels of automation to drive innovation. Follow the link for more information on Siemens Digital Industries Software products and services.