ABB is enhancing RobotStudio simulation and offline programming software with state-of-the-art 3D printing capability, which will enable users to progress from the CAD design stage to the final modeling of a product in just half an hour. Coupled with the high performance of our robots, this means manufacturers can now produce high-quality 3D printed objects for a variety of industrial applications more efficiently.

Traditional methods of 3D printing using machines are time-consuming as programming the printing paths involves plotting millions of points and trajectories.
With ABB’s new 3D Printing PowerPac, any standard slicer software design can be ‘translated’ into ABB’s simulation environment and robot code. This new piece of software allows ABB to generate robot commands from standard g-code files automatically. This allows manufacturers to visualize and simulate the entire process in RobotStudio. 

3D Printing PowerPac supports a variety of additive manufacturing processes, such as welding, and printing with granules or concrete, and is ideal for low-volume, high-mix printing. Typically, manufacturers print 3D prototypes before mass production, architects print building components and models, and they can now print shapes that could not otherwise be produced.