Renishaw veröffentlicht LIBERTAS-Software für Metall-AM

Key Takeaways

• LIBERTAS ist Renishaws neue Softwareschicht für die RenAM 500 Metall-AM-Familie und gibt Bedienern granulare Kontrolle über Laserparameter.
• Das Support-Reduction Package kann das herkömmliche Support-Volumen um 30-45 % reduzieren, die Bauzeit verkürzen und den Nachbearbeitungsaufwand senken.
• Durch Modulation der Laserenergie über komplexe Geometrien ermöglicht LIBERTAS Down-Skin-Winkel bis zu 70° (gegenüber dem üblichen Limit von 45°), während die Verformung unter 0,1 % der Bauteilgröße bleibt.
• Die Kompatibilität ist auf Renishaws RenAM 500Q/500M Systeme beschränkt, die bis zu 500 W Laserleistung und ein 250 × 250 × 300 mm Bauvolumen bieten.

Introduction: Why Software Matters in Metal AM

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) has long been constrained by the need for extensive support structures. These scaffolds serve three primary purposes:

1. Thermal management – dissipating heat to avoid melt-pool instability.
2. Mechanical stability – preventing part warping during layer-by-layer solidification.
3. Geometric feasibility – allowing over-hangs and steep down-skin angles.

While essential, supports consume extra powder, add 5-15 % to build time, and generate labor-intensive post-processing. Renishaw’s LIBERTAS software tackles these pain points through advanced laser-control algorithms embedded in the QuantAM build-preparation suite.

What Is LIBERTAS?

Core Functionality

• Dynamic laser-parameter mapping – users can assign distinct power, speed, and hatch spacing values to individual features or even individual scan lines.
• Real-time thermal simulation – the software predicts melt-pool temperature fields, allowing operators to pre-empt hot-spot formation.
• Support-Reduction Package – an optional module that automatically redesigns support geometry, targeting a 30-45 % reduction in support volume while preserving build stability.

Benefits for the RenAM 500 Series

How LIBERTAS Reduces Supports

1. Thermal Gradient Shaping – By lowering laser power on over-hangs and increasing it on adjacent bulk, the software evens out cooling rates, diminishing the need for thermal “sacrificial” supports.
2. Adaptive Hatch Strategies – Variable hatch spacing (e.g., 0.12 mm to 0.25 mm) balances melt-pool overlap, ensuring sufficient bonding without excessive heat input.
3. Down-Skin Angle Optimization – The algorithm evaluates each surface normal; if the predicted cooling rate stays within a safe window, it classifies the area as “support-free.”

Real-World Impact

A recent case study on a titanium aerospace bracket (volume 120 cm³) printed on a RenAM 500Q showed:

• Support volume fell from 15 cm³ to 8 cm³ (≈46 % reduction).
• Build time dropped from 6 h 12 min to 5 h 30 min.
• Post-build support removal labor decreased by ≈2 h.

Compatibility and System Requirements

• Supported machines: RenAM 500Q (500 W, 250 × 250 × 300 mm) and RenAM 500M (500 W, 250 × 250 × 300 mm, optimized for Inconel and stainless steels).
• Required firmware: Version 2.4.1 or later.
• Operating system: Windows 10/11 (64-bit) with at least 16 GB RAM and a dedicated GPU for thermal simulation.

Looking Ahead

Renishaw plans to extend LIBERTAS to its upcoming RenAM 800 platform (800 W laser, 300 × 300 × 350 mm build volume) by Q3 2027, promising even larger support-reduction gains for high-temperature alloys.

Bottom Line

Renishaw’s LIBERTAS software adds a decisive layer of intelligence to the RenAM 500 metal-AM portfolio. By granting per-feature laser control and integrating a sophisticated support-reduction engine, it trims material waste, shortens build cycles, and pushes the envelope on over-hang geometry—all while keeping distortion under tight tolerances. For manufacturers already invested in Renishaw’s ecosystem, LIBERTAS represents a cost-effective upgrade that directly translates into higher productivity and cleaner part finishes.