Prodways Printers, a member of Prodways Group specializing in 3D Printing and digital manufacturing solutions, has announced the integration of Artificial Intelligence-powered Oqton software for better end-to-end control of the additive manufacturing process as a part of its partnership with the company.
Oqton, the San Francisco-based software company, develops Artificial Intelligence-powered manufacturing solutions to allow manufacturers to manage, optimize, and automate their additive manufacturing workflows. Their software offers a secure, cloud-based platform that links data across the complete manufacturing ecosystem – from design to production to logistics.
Automated Additive Manufacturing
Oqton covers the entire additive manufacturing chain, from design to final post-print quality control, via a seamless and efficient process.
This user-friendly solution is compatible with any type of machine and software (CAD, ERP, etc.). Data is hosted in the cloud and accessible from a single site via smartphone, PC, or tablet. Prodways customers can log in and control their machines from anywhere in the world, whenever they want, while customer service can log in directly to the platform at any time to resolve any glitch, no matter how minor.
Artificial Intelligence: Key Performance Driver
Oqton’s software is powered by Artificial Intelligence, making it unique in the market. Artificial Intelligence algorithms allow the system to learn continuously, improving efficiency and quality throughout the manufacturing chain. It can also predict how machines will behave, anticipate, and identify malfunctions, and fine-tune future applications. AI also automatically recognizes 3D printing files without human intervention, particularly handy in the main fields where 3D printing is used, such as dental practices, where Prodways is a runaway success. The software automatically recognizes the type of part and automatically prepares what is needed to print. This leaves customers free to focus on the value-added stages of their operations.
Artificial Intelligence Benefits
Automating workflows in this way brings many benefits to Prodways customers: significant reductions in human error, greater machine productivity and considerable time-savings. Time taken up by the nesting stage, where 3D models are intelligently grouped in order to streamline manufacturing and use of space, is cut six-fold, from an average of 1 hour to just 10 minutes. Oqton’s Artificial Intelligence capabilities and predictive maintenance also cuts machine downtime, leaving more time for production.
A Win-Win Partnership
Prodways CEO Alban d’Halluin explained, “Adding Oqton means our customers now have a comprehensive and intuitive one-stop platform that gives them a complete overview of the production chain and machinery. Our aim is for customers to manage their 3D production easily and with maximum flexibility. The Covid crisis has made this all the more essential, now that working from home is on the rise and people need to access data and assets from wherever they are. Oqton is hosted on the cloud, which makes it the ideal solution as customers can interact with Prodways machines from anywhere at any time.”
“We are delighted to be working with Prodways and offering them a new approach to managing 3D manufacturing processes. With our solution, Prodways customers should see immediate gains in production efficiency and quality. This deep and far-reaching integration of our software into the Prodways range is unique in the industry and an illustration of how this is a win-win relationship.”
Oqton CEO Ben Schrauwen
About Prodways Group: Prodways Group is a specialist in industrial and professional 3D printing with a unique positioning as an integrated European player. The Group has developed right across the 3D printing value chain (software, machines, materials, parts & services) with a high value added technological industrial solution.
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