e-Xstream engineering, part of Hexagon's Manufacturing Intelligence division, has unveiled a new 10X Integrated Computational Material Engineering (ICME) Solution that applies academic research with software and inspection solutions to accelerate innovation by enabling manufacturers to design, engineer and test components virtually through simulation.
"ICME is an emerging technique that ensures optimal combination of materials and manufacturing processes to innovate and maximize performance, resulting in reduced costs and lead time," said a company spokesperson.
"10X ICME from Hexagon offers the industry the most complete and integrated solution portfolio to leverage the full potential of ICME," continued the spokesperson. "It is the first industrialized solution to apply ICME so that companies can exploit the ideal combination of materials with manufacturing processes to innovate and maximize performance while reducing cost and product lead time. By integrating design, engineering and testing, manufacturers can make informed choices early in product development to improve quality or reduce waste and also harness data to devise more efficient, connected design and engineering workflows."
ICME enables advanced materials such as carbon fiber composites to be selected and applied to their full potential by improving the accuracy of, and trust in, material simulations with better data and modeling. Using 10X ICME, it is now possible to predict how combinations of advanced materials such as composites and manufacturing methods from injection molding to 3D printing will affect everything from the speed to the sustainability of future aircraft and cars. It reduces the amount of materials testing required and correlates measurement with simulation so manufacturers can more easily validate simulations. In addition, because materials data is made readily available, engineers can apply accurate values to make optimal designs rather than relying on approximations.
The digital integration of end-to-end supply chains will also cut material waste by reducing dependence on extensive real-world prototyping and over-design. A single material-centric digital twin of the entire manufacturing line from material development to final part performance will enable organizations to predict the performance of end products at concept stage. It also presents opportunities for data-driven customization of advanced materials for specific purposes such as recyclability or energy efficiency.
"10X ICME significantly lower barriers to innovation by enabling ground-breaking new technologies such as lightweight blended wing airliners or ultra-quiet electric vehicles to be developed much faster," said the spokesperson. "The solution is already being used by major aerospace and automotive OEMs to significantly accelerate the rate at which new designs can be brought from concept to reality. Initial customer projects using this new approach are being completed in half the time and at a third of the cost."
There are 10 pillars within the 10X ICME solution, which combine the different ICME technologies from the ecosystem to address specific use cases. Manufacturers can choose the pillars most pertinent to them today and mold their solution to their needs as the disciplines and processes they derive value from evolve.
"Developed in close collaboration with OEMs and material suppliers to address their industrial needs, 10X ICME draws on cutting-edge material science research, Hexagon's metrology, software and e-Xstream engineering material simulation technologies and a growing industrial partner ecosystem," said the spokesperson. "It integrates the supply chain of materials suppliers, software tools, manufacturing equipment and metrology to make the best possible use of data and enable real-world implementation for many manufacturing environments."
Professor Camanho, University of Porto, commented: "Solving the conundrum of how to satisfy demand for global air travel while reducing aviation emissions will require huge and rapid technological change. Creating incredibly lightweight, low-carbon and more electric aircraft will require novel materials and manufacturing methods. If these could be created, engineered and tested in virtual simulation, it would accelerate the pace at which the industry changes to a more sustainable model."
Dr. Jan-Anders Mansson, Distinguished Professor of Materials & Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, said: "We have been working with Hexagon and e-Xstream to integrate cutting-edge metrology, digital technology and material science, which is merged in our manufacturing test bed with Hexagon's state-of-the-art hardware and software for Smart Factory solutions. The aim now is to develop a digital parallel of the whole end-to-end journey from design to manufacturing. We will be able to zoom in and out from a macro to micro level from line production to individual cell production."
Roger Assaker, CEO, e-Xstream engineering, said: "Bringing together OEMs, Universities, materials suppliers and technology partners in a business-driven ecosystem has enabled us to develop the unique, end-to-end 10X ICME solution that has already helped early adopters complete projects in half the time and at a third of the cost. We believe connecting materials insights to engineering will accelerate the Fourth Industrial Revolution, enabling new products to be made efficient, safe and sustainable before the first prototype is even built."
Guillaume Boisot, Head of Business Development, e-Xstream engineering, commented: "ICME will enable automotive manufacturers to optimize the use of composites within their design processes, enabling lighter and more efficient vehicle designs and material-centric innovation for new mobility solutions. Looking at existing vehicle designs alone, optimizing how composites are used will save manufacturers an average 22.5 kg material waste per vehicle-that is 2.1 million tonnes less composites used in new cars a year globally, so there is a huge opportunity to reduce waste and enable more efficient transport."
For more information contact:
Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence
250 Circuit Drive
North Kingstown, RI 02852
401-886-2000
www.hexagonmi.com