Stratasys Releases Insight v6.0 for its FDM Systems

By DE Editors

Insight v6.0 fromStratasys features two new production scheduling programs for direct digital manufacturing. The software comes with all Stratasys FDM rapid prototyping systems. FDM Control Center comes with Insight v6, and FDM TEAM is an extra-cost option. Insight 6.0 is available free to existing customers on a valid warranty or maintenance contract.

Both new scheduling programs combine multiple machine job queues into a single interface. TEAM lets users with several or many machines optimize job scheduling for direct digital manufacturing. With prior versions of Insight, separate interfaces were needed to view job queues for each machine running. With TEAM, all job queues appear on one screen in a Gantt chart format. TEAM has an enhanced interface that allows users to drag and drop jobs for machine load balancing. In addition, blackout (non-working) times can be displayed to show real capacity. This feature omits new-job start times that can’t realistically occur—an operator won’t be available to remove a part and start a new job when the production floor is closed. This lets users optimize scheduling to ensure all machines are running at full capacity.

Insight v6 from Stratasys.

"Combining many job queues into a single view really opens the door to efficiently manage part production with our direct digital manufacturing systems," says FDM product manager Patrick Robb. "Every aspect of job scheduling and production is simplified, letting manufacturers streamline operations for optimal production."

The Control Center interface combines the capabilities of the previous Status and Admin programs. Control Center lets users add, delete, and change the priority of jobs in a system queue. The interface reports system status, such as part description, total build time, estimated time left, and amount of material required..

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