Material Modeling Software for Additive Manufacturing
QUESTEK INNOVATIONS introduced new simulation-driven capabilities in its ICMD® materials design and engineering software platform, to help accelerate additive manufacturing (AM) programs and maximize return on investment. By replacing trial-and-error with highly accurate simulations, ICMD® reduces failed builds, speeds qualification timelines, and lowers overall development costs, delivering faster innovation where performance and safety matter most.
The software platform is named in reference to Integrated Computational Materials Design; it is a cloud-based program that uses computational modeling to design, qualify, and certify new materials, and allows engineers to digitally simulate how changes in material composition and processing will affect properties and performance.
ICMD® simulates key aspects of the 3D printing process—melt pool dynamics, microstructure formation, and resulting part strength—so manufacturers can evaluate materials digitally before production. These validated predictions have been recognized in the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory AM Modeling Challenge (2020) and the NIST AM Bench Challenge (2022), underscoring their accuracy and industry relevance.
In addition, the Alloy Design Toolkit assists in the creation of materials specifically engineered for printability, helping avoid cracking and porosity. By ensuring that alloys are both high-performing and printable, manufacturers can accelerate the path to lighter aerospace components, safer energy systems, and advanced medical implants.
"Additive manufacturing is reshaping how critical industries design and deliver parts, but uncertainty has slowed adoption," stated QuesTek COO Bill Mahoney, COO. "ICMD® lets engineers simulate outcomes before printing, cutting trial-and-error and helping companies bring safer, more reliable products to market faster."
Scaling AM requires precision in process parameters. ICMD® addresses this challenge with intuitive printability maps that highlight safe operating windows for laser power, scan speed, and other variables. These maps help manufacturers reduce defects, achieve fully dense parts, and move to production with greater confidence and efficiency.
From extending fatigue life in aerospace engines to enabling custom alloys for medical devices, ICMD® provides a digital-first approach to materials innovation. These new AM capabilities allow companies to cut costs, reduce risk, and bring high-performance parts to market faster. The AM toolkit is the latest expansion of the ICMD® software platform following the launch of a fatigue toolkit earlier this year.
Learn more at www.questek.com