The software

Overview
The Arcam EBM Control Software is resident on the Industrial Standard PC built into the EBM S12 machine. The PC uses the Windows XP Professional operating system and the operator communicates with the machine with keyboard or touch-screen controls.

The menus in the software are highly graphical and designed to present the operator with a logical and easy-to-use interface to the machine. The software utilizes build themes with parameter sets for various types of builds and materials. The operator may choose among the ready-made themes supplied by Arcam, but can also create his/her own themes for special builds or company-specific and proprietary build strategies.

The Arcam EBM Control Software relies on Slice-files (*.slc), created by slicing industry standard .stl-files, for input. Arcam recommends the Magics software from Materialise for handling import of CAD data, modifying stl-files, preparing individual builds and slicing of the stl-file.

The Arcam EBM process with the Arcam EBM Control Software offers several unique features for maximizing output, performance and easy handling of the machine.

Invisible Supports
The Arcam EBM process includes a feature developed to create supports that are easy to remove and in principal invisible to the operator cleaning the part after the build. The metal powder in the supports can be recycled and used for new builds.

The supports are created in Magics, using the stl-format, and imported into the machine together with the actual part file. Handling of files is facilitated with the Arcam Build Assembler.

The above full-scale model of a human scull was built upside down using only the Arcam Invisible Supports to create the intricate downfacing surfaces inside the scull.

Arcam Build Assembler
The Arcam Build Assembler handles all part files together with the support files for the respective jobs. In the Build Assembler the operator may choose different build strategies for parts and Invisible Supports.

The Build Assembler also enables the operator to choose between solid, sintered or grid structures for each file, thus enabling the production of parts with a combination of solid and porous areas to engineer and tailor-design the properties of a part.