As part of its comprehensive vision to provide the industry’s most complete set of seamless tools to support the global additive manufacturing industry, Siemens revealed plans today for a new online collaborative platform designed to bring on-demand product design and 3D printing production to the global manufacturing industry.

The part manufacturing platform, being developed by Siemens’ product lifecycle management (PLM) software business and announced at Hannover Messe 2017, will provide an environment capable of connecting all members of the global manufacturing community in order to maximise resource utilisation, access additive manufacturing expertise and expand business opportunity.

For example, by linking part buyers to micro-factories, the platform would enable members to 3D print production parts on-demand where-needed across the world. In addition, the platform will include collaborative capabilities to help streamline the co-innovation process and accelerate the adoption of 3D printing as a mainstream production method for industrial parts.

“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,” said Tony Hemmelgarn, President and Chief Executive Officer, Siemens PLM Software.

“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.”

Siemens is introducing the part manufacturing platform to address the growing need for on-demand, worldwide access to additive manufacturing expertise and the latest technology. The platform will create an online ecosystem made up of highly qualified members from a variety of areas such as product designers, job shops, part buyers, 3D printer OEMs, material suppliers, expert services providers, micro-factories and much more. Members will be able to instantly connect with other members to initiate co-innovation of products using the latest software tools for additive manufacturing.

For example, a global network of experts all having access to the same gateway could participate in and contribute to the design and development of a reimagined product for additive manufacturing. Also, part buyers could use the platform to quickly find qualified services, enhance job scheduling and reduce the time to obtain production quantities of end-use parts at needed locations.

At the same time, manufacturing service providers could create a pipeline of job orders for next generation designs, maximize machine utilisation and expand their businesses. Finally, 3D printer OEMs could connect with the community regarding their latest systems, technology and expertise for repeatable production of industrial parts and quantities.

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.

The new digital platform is expected to launch in mid-2018. Interested participants are invited to contact us about early access.