Case Study: VTT achieves first-time-right LBM support generation and 28.8% material savings with Altair

Automated First-time-right Support Generation for Laser Beam Melting with Additive Works’ Amphyon

VTT faced challenges achieving first-time-right Laser Beam Melting (LBM) builds because manual support generation often led to excessive material use, post-processing and process failures when supports lacked sufficient strength or heat conduction. Altair was engaged to address this by applying a simulation-driven support generation workflow (using the Amphyon support-optimization approach) to replace trial-and-error manual iterations.

Altair’s solution used Amphyon’s process simulation and spatially varied optimization to automatically create thin-walled support structures with reinforced regions and optimized interfaces. In validation, the Amphyon supports used 9.3 cm³ versus 13.1 cm³ for standard supports (a 28.8% material reduction), produced a first-time-right bracket build while the standard support showed multiple separations, and reduced material use, build time and process development costs.

VTT