Prodways integrates Oqton for better end-to-end control of the manufacturing process

Ghent, Belgium / San Francisco, USA – April 21, 2021 – Prodways Printers, a member of Prodways Group specializing in 3D Printing and digital manufacturing solutions, has established a partnership with Oqton. As part of its continuous improvement drive, Prodways is now offering Oqton software on its machines.

Automated additive manufacturing

Oqton covers the entire additive manufacturing chain, from design to final post-print quality control, via a seamless and efficient process.

This user-friendly solution is compatible with any type of machine and software (CAD, ERP, etc.). Data is hosted in the cloud and accessible from a single site via smartphone, PC, or tablet. Prodways customers can log in and control their machines from anywhere in the world, whenever they want, while customer service can log in directly to the platform at any time to resolve any glitch, no matter how minor.

AI: key performance driver

Oqton’s software is powered by AI, making it unique in the market. AI algorithms allow the system to learn continuously, improving efficiency and quality throughout the manufacturing chain. It can also predict how machines will behave, anticipate, and identify malfunctions, and fine-tune future applications. AI also automatically recognizes 3D printing files without human intervention, particularly handy in the main fields where 3D printing is used, such as dental practices, where Prodways is a runaway success. The software automatically recognizes the type of part and automatically prepares what is needed to print. This leaves customers free to focus on the value-added stages of their operations.

Tangible benefits

Automating workflows in this way brings many benefits to Prodways customers: significant reductions in human error, greater machine productivity and considerable time-savings. Time taken up by the nesting stage, where 3D models are intelligently grouped in order to streamline manufacturing and use of space, is cut six-fold, from an average of 1 hour to just 10 minutes. Oqton’s AI capabilities and predictive maintenance also cuts machine downtime, leaving more time for production.

A win-win partnership

Prodways CEO Alban d’Halluin explained: “Adding Oqton means our customers now have a comprehensive and intuitive one-stop platform that gives them a complete overview of the production chain and machinery. Our aim is for customers to manage their 3D production easily and with maximum flexibility. The Covid crisis has made this all the more essential, now that working from home is on the rise and people need to access data and assets from wherever they are. Oqton is hosted on the cloud, which makes it the ideal solution as customers can interact with Prodways machines from anywhere at any time.”

About Oqton

Oqton develops AI-powered manufacturing solutions to allow manufacturers to manage, optimize, and automate their additive manufacturing workflows. Their software offering is a secure, cloud-based platform that links data across the complete manufacturing ecosystem – from design to production to logistics. Founded in San Francisco, Oqton is based in Ghent, Belgium, with offices in the US, China and Denmark.

About Prodways Group

Prodways Group is a specialist in industrial and professional 3D printing with a unique positioning as an integrated European player. The Group has developed right across the 3D printing value chain (software, machines, materials, parts & services) with a high value added technological industrial solution. Prodways Group offers a wide range of 3D printing systems and premium composite, hybrid, and powder materials (SYSTEMS division). The company also manufactures and markets parts on demand, prototypes and small production run 3D printed items in plastic and metal (PRODUCTS division). The Group targets a significant number of sectors, from aeronautics to healthcare.