Siemens revealed plans for a new online collaborative platform designed to bring on-demand product design and 3D printing production to the global manufacturing industry. In is press conference, it announced it is offering a vision that will provide “the most complete set of seamless tools to support the global additive manufacturing industry.”

The part manufacturing platform, being developed by Siemens’ product lifecycle management (PLM) software business, will provide an environment that connects all members of the global manufacturing community to maximize resource use, access additive manufacturing expertise and expand business opportunity. In other words, Siemens is becoming an additive manufacturing service provider that will connect engineers’ prototyping and manufacturing needs with those who have the capacity.

In addition to connecting members to 3D print production providers across the world, the platform will include collaborative capabilities to help streamline the design process.

“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 this part-manufacturing platform to address what it sees as a 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 qualified members from a variety of areas including product design, job shops, part buyers, 3D printer OEMs, material suppliers, expert services providers, micro-factories and more. For example, a global network of experts with access to the same gateway could participate in and contribute to the design and development of a reimagined product for additive manufacturing. Part buyers could use the platform to find qualified services, enhance job scheduling and reduce the time to obtain production quantities of end-use parts at needed locations. Manufacturing service providers could create a pipeline of job orders for next-generation designs and maximize machine use and expand their businesses. 3D printer OEMs could connect with the community regarding their latest systems, technology and expertise for repeatable production of industrial parts and quantities.

The new digital platform is expected to launch in mid-2018.

Siemens PLM Software
www.siemens.com/plm