According to Metal AM magazine, 3Degrees — an additive-manufacturing (AM) consultancy with headquarters in Chicago — has announced the development of Trace, a software tool designed to track, store and validate key information about each AM part produced.

Moreover, the tool can be customised to fit specific standards for traceability and quality management, both within an organisation and throughout a supplier base.

Mike Vasquez, the founder of 3Degrees (www.3degreescompany.com), said: “In working with companies around the world, one consistent question they’re asking is how to ensure they are meeting all relevant standards in the design and testing of parts, as well as maintaining the appropriate records they may need as parts are deployed.

"For the industry to evolve, users need tools that give them — and their end users — confidence in the processes and traceability for each AM part they create.”

Trace has been configured as a smart intuitive system for quality management and documentation of key production and technical data for AM, eliminating the need for companies to build their own systems.

The software also maintains all the information required for the safe and compliant operation of AM facilities. It has been evaluated by a number of collaborators, including the Renishaw Inc Solutions Center, the Quad Cities Manufacturing Lab (Western Illinois University), Northern Illinois University and America Makes.