Software is playing an important role on the shop floor of manufacturers today, but it’s often focused on one task or a portion of the workflow. While there is benefit to that discrete function, the impact on the entire production line is not as significant as it can be. However, manufacturers who are recognized as the industry leaders are embracing an integrated approach – creating a digital thread that connects between the workflow portions and functions, results in efficiencies and cost savings by providing a complete set of data, elimination of repetitive tasks, and automation. These innovators are embracing advanced emerging technologies aligned with industry trends such as the Internet of Things (IoT) to improve productivity, lower Total Cost of Operation (TCO) and maintain competitive advantage.

Read the rest of MCADCafe Industry Predictions for 2020 – 3D Systems

In 2020, All Product Development Roads Will Lead to SaaS

In the United States, the majority of K-12 classrooms now rely on Google Chromebooks to give students instant access to their applications and projects online – and to facilitate collaboration with classmates and teachers in real time. These students, who are the next generation of engineers, product designers and manufacturers, are already accustomed to the benefits of cloud-native Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications. In the early 2020s, the professional product development world will quickly play catch up.

I predict that 2020 will mark the tipping point for companies adopting a wide range of SaaS product development tools including CAD, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), simulation and generative design.

The demand for more product development applications running on cloud-native architectures will be further driven by the continued growth of 5G mobile networks. Making internet browsing and download speeds 10x to 20x faster will create an even greater expectation for instant access to information in every aspect of our personal and professional lives. In this context, the delays and work interruptions resulting from the IT requirements of installed software will become more of a competitive liability.

Read the rest of MCADCafe’s 2020 Industry Predictions -Onshape/PTC

FFF technology & filaments: This will be the year of large-format FFF technology. As leading industrial manufacturers continue to realize the speed, efficiency, flexibility, and precision of large-format AM and its unique compatibility with high performance, industrial-grade filaments for applications in automotive, aerospace, rail and other industries both in and outside of the transportation sector. The growing range of filaments designed for specific applications will offer manufacturers increasingly personalized production by taking advantage of large-format additives flexibility in a serial production setting. Additionally, as environmentally friendly processes like filament recycling to introduce closed-loop supply chains – an opportunity that isn’t readily accessible in metal AM applications – become increasingly necessary companies will move to adopt large-format FFF AM to replace other wasteful processes.

Read the rest of MCADCafe 2020 industry predictions – Bigrep

Xometry, the largest global on-demand manufacturing marketplace, has seen the rate of innovation increase rapidly through our work with industry leaders in defense, aerospace, automotive, and consumer products. Based on trends in 2019, Xometry predicts the manufacturing landscape will continue to change in 2020 with reduced supply chain challenges from increased reliance on additive manufacturing and marketplace manufacturing models.

In 2020, manufacturing marketplaces like Xometry’s manufacturing as a service (MaaS) model and the increase in additive manufacturing services will reduce concerns about capacity and supply chain. Manufacturing marketplaces allow businesses, ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies, to leverage a global network of qualified manufacturers by matching their project needs with the most capable suppliers. This gives companies access to manufacturers beyond their geographical limits.

Read the rest of MCADCafe Industry Predictions for 2020 – Xometry

MCADcafe- Is 2020 the year of Mixed Reality?

There was a significant rise in the recognition and adoption of using XR technologies (Augmented, Mixed and Virtual Reality) in the engineering and manufacturing industries during 2019. Organisations are beginning to realise the potential of using these technologies to replace existing processes for a wide range of use cases.

Augmented (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are more established within certain areas of engineering, with them already being used for Design Review, Factory Layout and Training use cases, amongst others.

But it is Mixed Reality (MR) that could make the most noise in 2020. According to a recent Research and Markets report, the global MR market is estimated to reach US$3.68 billion by 2025.

Read the rest of MCADcafe Industry Predictions for 2020 – Theorem

Industry Predictions for 2020

The 3D printer trade expands every year. Possibilities, which deliver the additive print technology with thermoplastic materials shaped for industry, astonish. The business is in continual development, and the need for the next innovations is increasing. The main idea of spreading the material layer by layer until the right shape is built may appear simple. While thinking of prototyping applications, it sure is, and there are no difficulties in this these days. The 3D print has entered into the high-end tools processes as a support for production lines, maintenance and service, and more and more often as an alternative to injection molding or cutting processes – for smaller series.

If we want to predict directions of development of 3d print technology with thermoplastic materials – let’s start with today’s state and see how it will progress (within the margin of the next year).

MATERIALS

The main criteria which define one’s industry is a material needed to make a product, but while saying of 3d print, the main criteria becomes the features of a particular substance.

The light materials like polymers known as nylons are reinforced with carbon fiber or cellulose – thanks to this, the printed detail has lightness and durability that can compare with an aluminum one. Slimming of systems consisted of metal parts by changing the material of which the single elements are made to a competitive one, heat, chemicals, and impact-resistant modern polymers like PEI, PEEK or PEKK became the constant direction, which will develop further.

The industry in which the 3D print with thermoplastic materials where the precise and personalized approach to detail is needed to develop is in the field of medical applications. Already biocompatible materials are used in bone grafts.

Work towards the development of materials of different features simultaneously accepted by the aggressive body environment and free from defects of previously used ones will undoubtedly be very advanced.

Read the rest of Industry Predictions for 2020 – VShaper

Human in the Loop Becomes Center of Design  

If there’s one thing that manufacturers know they can bank on in the coming year, it’s that customer expectations—in terms of product performance, quality, and dependability— will continue to rise. Meeting these demands motivates manufacturers to continually scrutinize their processes and seek to enhance product development tools and methodologies. And while most industries have come to embrace simulation to ensure that customer requirements are validated well upstream and in advance of testing physical prototypes, some continue to lag.

For example, while virtually all leading automotive and aerospace equipment manufacturers are already leveraging multiple simulation methodologies to ensure product performance and reduce development costs, many industrial equipment manufacturers continue to rely on classic techniques such as field-prototyping as their primary methodology to validate designs. But, attempting to validate new products or design changes in the field is too late and puts the design process, projects, and production/performance targets at risk. Generally, this limits innovation opportunities, drives cost overrun, and results in an inability to consistently meet customer expectations.

Read the rest of MCADCafe Industry Predictions for 2020 – CM Labs

Read the rest of MCADCafe Industry Predictions for 2020 – Desktop Metal

From James Dagg

Simulation-Driven Design

• Cloud-based CAE tools will enable more small manufacturers and start-ups to make informed, reliable product design decisions faster. Cloud-based CAE reduces the maintenance and operating costs for smaller users, especially those that require mobility and scalability of their workforce.
• The definition of what generative design means may vary across the engineering community, but the industry is unanimous as to why it creates such excitement. Techniques that allow the faster design of high performing and lightweight parts using a simulation-driven design approach have gained fast adoption, but what’s next? The next generation of generative design tools will incorporate physics, machine learning, and human creativity from product ideation through to manufacturing.

Read the rest of 2020 Tech Predictions for MCADCAFE – Altair