Quick Calibration: A traditional full-simulation calibration is time-consuming, requiring multiple simulation iterations to meet a set tolerance target. In contrast, Ansys's new Quick Calibration feature uses a machine-learning approach on a common cantilever geometry with support cutoff to significantly reduce LPBF calibration time from hours to minutes, or even seconds, while maintaining high accuracy. This time-saving benefit is especially valuable for complex, location-specific strain scenarios that require multiple pairs of distortion targets.

Location specific strain scaling factors: You can now specify strain scaling factor (SSF) values that vary in space to account for variability in strains for different locations on the build plate.

Directional recoater interference: You can now capture the effects of recoater direction in the recoater interference result for LPBF analyses. The processing for this specific capability is done in post processing, where you can define different recoater directions and view how those different directions affect the results without re-solving the analysis.

Machine Learning Prediction: The ML model (for Thermal Strain Method = Machine Learning Prediction) has been retrained using a new underlying algorithm based on cooling cycles rather than the thermal ratcheting algorithm. This new algorithm is more accurate in following experimental distortion trends as machine parameters are varied. Ansys recommends you perform a Strain Scaling Factor calibration specifically for this new ML Thermal Strain method.

UI tooltips for AM objects: Hover over the options in the Details pane to see helpful tooltips for the AM-specific objects of AM Bond, AM Process, Build Settings, Support Group, Generated Support, Predefined Support, and STL Support, as well as the AM options in Analysis Settings.

LPBF Shrinkline result (Beta): A new shrinkline result allows you to pinpoint areas where one or more layers are contracting more than the surrounding material—this localized contraction is commonly referred to as a shrinkline.

Visualize knockdown factors for voxel mesh (Beta): You can now visualize knockdown factors when using the Voxelizer option in the Cartesian mesh method. The option is available under Display Type > View on the AM Process object when the Cartesian Mesh Method has the `Mesh Using Voxelization` set to True or if an STL Support is present in the Tree. This is similar to the capability that is already in place for visualizing knockdown factors for STL Supports.