Editor's Pick: New platform for part deviation review

Riven makes available its part testing and validation platform, also called Riven. The technology comes as a bundle—a 3D scanner and software for part review and collaboration. The company says Riven can streamline part analysis as part of new product introduction (NPI) workflows by reducing iterations, validating part integrity and improving NPI collaboration.

Riven says the increased use of metal additive manufacturing for creating final parts is creating challenges for the NPI workflow. Deformation and warping are not always obvious. The Riven platform can quickly identify such issues, making it easier to solve manufacturing issues and validate new parts. 

Deviations in first-article or mid-process state components during NPI can create major problems. The inability to understand product issues leads to excessive development iterations, shipment delays and cost overruns. Riven says these challenges apply to conventional manufacturing processes and newer advanced methods such as metal additive manufacturing.  

Image courtesy of Riven.

The process starts by using the Riven 3D scanner to quickly create a high-accuracy 3D model of the printed part. Riven software then checks the scan against a 3D model, and offers data logging and an automated “go/no-go” evaluation of the part. The data can be instantly shared to team members using Riven’s cloud capabilities. It is also possible to create a CAD model from the scan data, as needed. 

Riven can output results as STL, PLY, or OBJ mesh formats and as STEP or Parasolid CAD models. The company says observed accuracy is rated at 0.002-inch with a scan-to-scan repeatability of 0.0004-inch. The company says best results have been achieved for 3D printed, metal injection molding and injection molding with lengths ranging from 0.2-inch up to 12 inches. 

Riven says the starter subscription to the platform provides 10 user accounts, 1 scanner, and the analysis, collaboration and export software. The company claims a new user can be operational in less than 30 minutes. The company compares the cost of the product to one product iteration. 

“Every product iteration takes time, resources and materials,” says James Page, Riven CTO. “By accurately measuring complex geometry such as warp, fillet radii and amorphous surfaces, Riven identifies exactly where and by how much pre-production parts differ from the CAD design and then uses visual product communication to help teams collaborate on manufacturing and engineering adjustments.  

"Riven has helped us avoid costly development iterations,” says Greg Cerny, CEO of Tact Product Development. “We rely on Riven’s 3D data solution to effectively collaborate throughout the development process and across the supply chain, and as a product development and manufacturing consulting firm working with leading global brands, this is absolutely critical.”

Potential customers can book an online demo at the Riven homepage, Riven.ai. 

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.