Markforged Unveils AI-Powered Blacksmith

Markforged has unveiled Blacksmith — an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered software that is said to make manufacturing machines ‘aware’ so they can automatically adjust programming to ensure every part is produced as designed. According to the company, Blacksmith is a breakthrough in smart factories and the first example of adaptive manufacturing, which is expected to reduce the cost of production. The company says they plan to save costing and parts by connecting the machines that make parts, and the ones that inspect them, with AI.

Starting with Markforged’s Metal X and X7 3D printers, Blacksmith will create a continuous feedback loop to make 3D printed parts more accurate. The intelligent software cuts waste and accelerates time to market, the company says. It analyzes a design, compares it to the scanned part and automatically adapts the end-to-end process to produce optimal in-spec parts.

Blacksmith is expected to be particularly powerful for the new generation of metal 3D printing. The latest methods all require sintering — a process that notoriously distorts parts. Blacksmith is expected to eliminate this challenge and deliver precise parts post-sintering. The company says Blacksmith will be available later this year.