Meltio Slicing Software

Meltio has been working on DED systems since 2019 intending to contribute to a reliable and efficient manufacturing process in the industry. Meltio provides an open platform for hardware (any robot or CNC) as well as for software that allows the use of any software to manufacture metal parts and meet the growing demand of industrial applications in the market, with hybrid and robotic additive manufacturing processes.

In November 2022, we launched Meltio Horizon for the Meltio M450, enhancing metal 3D printing with laser-wire deposition in 3 axis providing valuable resources, including printing profiles, material datasheets, and verification tools, to support the smooth operation of Meltio systems.

On December 15th, 2022, Meltio communicated its new Meltio Engine Software Partners ecosystem – to ensure a set of guaranteed and reliable software solutions for the customer to identify the best software solutions for Meltio’s Engine CNC Integration and Engine Robot Integration.

The 12 software companies that have joined Meltio Engine’s Software Partner ecosystem for hybrid and robotic platforms include SKM DCAM by SKM Informatik; AdaOne by Adaxis; AiSync by AiBuild; Esprit by Hexagon; Fusion 360 by Autodesk; Aplus+Mastercam by Camufacturing and Mastercam; Hypermill by OpenMind; SiemensNX by Siemens; Hy5CAM by 1ATechnologies; RobotStudio 3D Printing PowerPack by ABB; and SprutCAM X by SprutCam.

This new software ecosystem offers tools to address a variety of applications and industries through advanced slicing features, such as fixed tool orientation, revolved surfaces, features on non-planar surfaces, simple surface coating, radial cladding, 360° features, variable layer deposition, controlled area repair, and non-controlled area repair.

In August 2023, Meltio Space was introduced, bringing the same benefits to multi-axis robotic systems providing valuable resources, including printing profiles, material datasheets, and verification tools, to support the smooth operation of Meltio Robot Integrations.

As of 2024, Meltio has in its product portfolio proprietary software regarding standalone printers like the M450 with Meltio Horizon and for the Robot Integration Hardware, Meltio Space, both including process knowledge and the best ease of use for the Meltio process.

Regarding the CNC Integration Meltio relies on its Software Partners Ecosystem for the Hybrid process, including additive and subtractive. Meltio understands the subtractive software industry is in a mature state with decades of experience, in this regard it makes no sense to start from scratch in this aspect, being the best approach to collaborate with the Software Partners allowing them to have the knowledge regarding Meltio Technology for the additive process.

Examples of CNC hybrid software are:
MasterCam + Aplus Additive plugin, Esprit by Hexagon; Fusion 360 or PowerMill by Autodesk; Hypermill by OpenMind; SiemensNX by Siemens; Hy5CAM by 1ATechnologies; and SprutCAM X by SprutCam.

In any case, the Additive part of the software needs to be requested by the software reseller as the machining modules are not enough to support the Meltio process.

Thanks to the collaboration between Meltio and said partners, the software companies know about the Meltio process including the basic operation, and have been validated through testing for specific machine configurations. This is important as every CNC hybrid machine requires differentiation, first regarding the 3D context, dimensions, and working space of the specific CNC machine and the Meltio Engine CNC Integration.

Apart from this, every machine requires a specific Post Processor to be developed for the said machine, this includes specific MCodes that will generate the communication between the Meltio Engine and the CNC controller, in the specific CNC controller language.

For this part, the role of the integrator is crucial to provide the end customer with a complete solution, including the hybrid integration, the hybrid software, and the specific training.