As a new partner, joining for MariLight 2, Hexagon will be focusing on the Direct Energy Deposition build simulations to optimise the manufacturability of the components. For this they will be using their software solution Simufact, which is designed to predict and compensate for distortion, compute residual stress and analyse temperature distribution throughout the printing process. It can analyse the coupled thermal-mechanical response within the process and investigate phase transformations during cooling.

Hexagon will also be using their Absolute Arm and AS1 scanner to scan the surface of the physical build, which they will then combine with their point cloud software solution VG Metrology, to compare the physical build with the original CAD model and simulation build.

Hexagon are very excited in talking part in this groundbreaking study, and through participation, hope to validate and increase their understanding of the manufacturing process. This in turn, they hope, will enable them to further improve the software solutions they are currently developing around direct energy deposition additive manufacturing. Once complete, they hope the study will also act as a case study, showcasing the chosen component, and the value of their solutions.

Speaking on their participation, the organisation note that they are primarily driven by a desire to build their ability to predict physical builds through simulations. That said, they are equally committed to supporting each of the partners in their respective hopes for MariLight2 and the overall promotion of LSAM for the industry.  Edwin De Vries, Technical Director stated, ‘we hope to show that large scale additive manufacturing is a good alternative manufacturing process for the marine and offshore industry to achieve weight and therefore emission reduction in the industry.’

You can find out more about Hexagon, the wider set of MariLight 2 partners, and upcoming milestones in the project below.