Ulendo HC is a software module accessed through the user interface of an LPBF printer’s process control system. Using a patent-pending algorithm, an optimal laser scan sequence path is generated based on the material properties, laser speed and previous layers of the geometry. The required inputs are part geometry, materials properties (e.g., heat conductivity, heat capacity, density) and process parameters (e.g., laser power and scan speed).

Ulendo HC charts an optimal laser path that reduces heat-induced distortion by half and residual stress by up to 9x.  This enables the build engineer to spend less time on scan strategy and more on other parameters that optimize the efficiency and quality of the printing process. Significantly reduced part distortion and residual also reduces the amount of post-processing time and expense. It also reduces the need for support structures or the risk of a recoater crash due to part distortion during the build process.

The Ulendo HC algorithm has been designed with a "plug and play" approach, and the Ulendo team can collaborate quickly with the engineering team of a process control software platform or a manufacturer of LPBF printers to leverage the power of this technology for your end customers. Essentially, we map from the printer, the required inputs for the plugin: part geometry, materials properties (e.g., heat conductivity, heat capacity, density) and process parameters (e.g., laser power and scan speed). Get In Touch for implementation details.

While optimizing the path to minimize heat-induced stress and distortion, that optimized laser path increases the print time for the part by less than 3%.  However, because of the reduction in failed builds due to heat distortion, Ulendo HC users can expect significantly improved productivity, less material waste, and reduced post-processing time over the course of a series of builds.

When included in a process control software platform, the cost of Ulendo's additional heat compensation plugin will be determined by the provider of that software platform. Stay tuned later this year for a list of software platforms to which Ulendo HC has been integrated.

For manufacturers of LPBF printers, Ulendo's goal is to drive meaningful value for you and your end users.  Ulendo HC is licensed to the manufacturer on a simple volume-based royalty.  Pricing varies depending on the underlying software platform.  Get in Touch to schedule a demo and discuss pricing on your LPBF platform.