The robust B-Rep kernel of 4D_Additive enables a quality check, repair and preparation of models in accordance with CAD-engineering standard which is based on the exact geometry. In conventional 3D printing tools, CAD models are often triangulated already during the reading process and thus converted into an approximate and imprecise STL description so that further operations like a repair of modeling errors, are resulting in significant deviations from the original shape.

4D_Additive, on the other hand, enables the check, repair, and handling of the exact, original B-Rep data according to VDA 4755/2 standard and thus for the first time a continuous additive manufacturing process that is in line with CAD Engineering Standard.

Sophisticated checking and healing functions analyze the CAD models and automatically eliminate gaps, overlaps, mini-elements, twisted faces and other types of errors. Errors that are not automatically correctable, e.g. Knife edges, are displayed clearly and can be corrected within seconds by means of easy-to-use Clean-Up and modeling functions. 4D_Additive ensures the production of precise quality models.

In the database, common machine types with the respective build space and technology parameters such as layer thickness, smallest possible detailing like a minimum hole diameter as well as the costs factors are stored. The database can be supplemented with user-defined machines and technology parameters.

Intelligent 2D and 3D nesting capabilities with multiprocessor computation ensure fast automatic fill up with optimal build volume utilization for all machine types available in the database, as well as for customized machine types. The extremely fast nesting function of 4D_Additive uses superfast multiprocessing and provides a maximum of automation.

Especially for powder bed processes, such as HP Multijet Fusion, fully automatic nesting offers great benefits, since the time saved by eliminating time-consuming manual work is reflected in the price of the parts. The user can specify the respective number of parts as well as a minimum distance. The construction volume is then filled automatically, so that an optimized number of components is accommodated on the platform.

The relative density of the installation space is predefined in favor of sensible heat management in order to optimize quality and costs. Here, large parts can also be positioned by hand to then automatically add a large number of smaller components accordingly. For the manual arrangement of the components in the build space, the system offers a collision check o that reliably indicates if parts penetrate each other or fall below the desired minimum distance.

For metal printing processes and also for other processes, a wide variety of special support structures can be generated in automatic and/or manual mode. The automatic analysis identifies areas where support structures are needed for manufacturing. The support structures of various shapes can be changed and customized by the user.

To save material and reduce the heat input, the massive model can be hollowed for a user-defined wall thickness at the push of a button. The areas of accumulations of material previously found through the Massive Zone test can be dehumidified to reduce mass and heat input.

The excavated models can be filled with different lattice patterns of any size. The calculation using multiprocessors is extremely fast. In this case, the "outer" model can also be replaced with Lattice structures, whereby the previously defined areas, such as functional areas, remain as the original geometry. For the filling of the Lattice areas, different patterns can be selected - such as Honeycomb, Octet or center point.