Solukon Updates Depowdering Software with SPR-Pathfinder PRO

Solukon Maschinenbau has introduced SPR-Pathfinder PRO, an upgraded version of its depowdering software. This new release aims to provide enhanced process time prediction, simulation, and validation capabilities, allowing users to anticipate depowdering outcomes before the process begins. The software is designed to handle increasingly complex part geometries, including those with sub-millimeter channels and densely packed internal surfaces that were previously inaccessible.

Alongside the PRO version, Solukon is also offering a BASIC version of the software. This tiered approach allows cost-conscious buyers, such as those in the automotive industry, to utilize a simpler solution, while customers with high-demand applications like rocket engine components can opt for the more advanced features of the PRO version. This strategy aims to provide value-based pricing and cater to different customer needs and price sensitivities.

The SPR-Pathfinder PRO addresses limitations found in previous versions, particularly concerning the complexity of parts that could be simulated. The software's predictive capability has been expanded, removing a previous limit of 2.4 million voxels. Additionally, the new software incorporates greater traceability to support customer certification processes. Solukon is also exploring enabling customers to design parts specifically for easier and more reliable depowdering.

Improvements in prediction accuracy are expected to streamline operations, especially in high-mix manufacturing environments. The software can now analyze over 1,000,000 particles and an unlimited number of voxels, facilitating the handling of very complex internal channels measuring less than 1mm. SPR-Pathfinder PRO also offers cross-sectional views in all planes (X, Y, and Z), allowing operators to visualize the interior of a part from any angle and adjust transparency to identify potential powder traps and bottlenecks.