Apr 24, 2017 | By Tess

Global technology company Siemens has announced plans to develop a new web-based collaborative platform that will enable on-demand product design and 3D printing production across the global manufacturing industry. The new online platform, which was announced at Hannover Messe 2017, the world’s largest industrial fair, is being developed by Siemens’ product lifecycle management (PLM) software team.

In recent years, Siemens has been making a great effort to advance and accelerate the adoption of 3D printing technologies in manufacturing sectors, largely with the help of its PLM software. Its newly announced part manufacturing platform will continue this effort, and will reportedly provide “an environment capable of connecting all members of the global manufacturing community in order to maximize resource utilization, access additive manufacturing expertise and expand business opportunity.”

According to the Germany-based company, its new platform will make it easier to link part buyers to micro-factories, which will allow users to order 3D printed production parts on-demand virtually anywhere in the world. Other benefits from the platform include collaborative features which are said to help streamline and facilitate co-innovation processes, as well as to accelerate the use of 3D printing for the production of industrial end-use parts.

Tony Hemmelgarn, President and Chief Executive Officer of Siemens PLM Software, said: “Siemens is one of the only companies addressing the diverse needs of all additive manufacturing market participants—from designers and engineers, to manufacturers, 3D printing machine OEMs, material vendors and software providers—with a comprehensive set of seamless technology solutions for distributed industrial additive manufacturing and co-innovation. Today’s announcement builds on that leadership with a platform aimed at instantly connecting the people, technology, equipment and expertise needed to efficiently address mutual business opportunities.”

The company says it is developing the new platform to meet the growing demands for on-demand industrial additive manufacturing across the globe. The idea behind it is to establish an “online ecosystem” that consists of qualified product designers, job shops, part buyers, 3D printer OEMs, material suppliers, micro-factories, and more. Expected to launch in mid-2018, the online platform will be able to connect its users to promote co-innovation for the production of new and innovative 3D printed parts.

While many details about the part manufacturing platform are still under wraps, Siemens has listed a few examples on how its upcoming online tool could be used: part buyers will be able to use the platform to find and connect to qualified 3D printing services, establish scheduling, and cut back on production time for end-use parts; manufacturing service providers will be able to create a pipeline for next-generation design job orders, which in turn will allow them to maximize machine utilization and to expand their overall business; and 3D printer OEMs will be able to connect more easily to the manufacturing community to show off their newest technologies.

“By exchanging information and practical knowledge, members will have the opportunity to enhance productivity, increase expertise, streamline co-innovation and accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing technology to a new level of industrial use,” reads a statement put out by Siemens.

As mentioned, the online platform is expected to launch by mid-2018, though interested parties are advised to contact Siemens for early access.

 

 

Posted in 3D Printing Service

 

 

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