Gravity Pull Systems launches PAAM toolpath optimisation software
Gravity Pull Systems SA, based in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, has launched the latest generation of PAAM (Personal AM Assistant), an automated toolpath optimisation software for metal Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) Additive Manufacturing.
PAAM is designed to help users identify, quantify and reduce toolpath-related risks before production begins, with the aim of improving part quality, productivity, profitability and confidence in qualification-sensitive manufacturing workflows.
According to Gravity Pull Systems, many PBF-LB users assume scan-path behaviour is either managed by machine software or is too complex to optimise outside the standard build workflow. As metal Additive Manufacturing moves from prototyping to qualified production, this assumption can lead to increased costs. Gravity Pull Systems noted that toolpath behaviour can affect local part quality, porosity risk, multi-laser interaction, gas-flow sensitivity, build time, and the gap between quoted and actual production costs.
The company went on to add that, in regulated industries, software upgrades, build processor changes, parameter adjustments, or modifications to qualified builds can trigger requalification requirements. PAAM is intended to allow manufacturers to assess the potential impact of such changes before committing to build trials, software upgrades or requalification programmes.
PAAM analyses slicer and build files to assess scan-path behaviour, identify geometry- and process-related risks, and apply automated toolpath and parameter optimisations. The software can be used to:
- Reduce lack-of-fusion risk
- Correct short scan vectors
- Improve local energy exposure
- Optimise gas-flow-sensitive features
- Improve multi-laser scan strategies
- Apply region-specific toolpath strategies based on quality, productivity, simulation inputs or production requirements
According to Gravity Pull Systems, PAAM offers five advantages:
- Pre-build risk detection by identifying toolpath-related issues before manufacture and applying corrective actions where appropriate
- Data-independent optimisation through embedded process knowledge and algorithms, without requiring historical datasets or customer-specific AI training
- Reduced engineering effort by automating toolpath-related decisions and reducing manual intervention
- Toolpath-level optimisation focused on printability, quality, productivity and qualification requirements without the need for scripting or manual scan strategy development
- Support for qualification by reducing rework, improving production confidence and helping assess the impact of process changes in regulated environments
“Metal AM service providers and regulated manufacturers do not only need better build preparation – they need better build confidence,” said Huba Horompoly, partner at Gravity Pull Systems. “PAAM makes hidden toolpath risk visible, measurable, and correctable before the first build. The goal is to reduce avoidable trial-and-error and help users understand the production and qualification impact of changes before they become expensive.”
According to Gravity Pull Systems, PAAM is integrated with workflows from EOS, Nikon SLM, Aconity and Materialise; has been licensed by Oerlikon AM; and was evaluated in aerospace manufacturing applications.
The company is also offering selected PAAM Diagnostic Benchmark projects for metal Additive Manufacturing service providers and manufacturers. As part of these projects, PAAM analyses a recurring or qualification-sensitive PBF-LB component to identify toolpath-related risks, build-time inefficiencies, potential requalification requirements and sources of production margin loss before manufacture begins.
