Siemens launches digital network for additive manufacturing

Siemens has launched the Siemens Additive Manufacturing (AM) Network, a cloud-based solution to foster collaboration and process orchestration between engineers, procurement and suppliers of 3D printed parts.

The network follows pilots and successful implementations with customers and partners, including Decathlon, Siemens Gas & Power, Siemens Mobility, HP and Materialise.

The Siemens AM Network connects the demand for parts with a supplier network that helps to enable globally distributed manufacturing.

The network digitalizes the order-to-delivery process by aligning the engineering and commercial processes for high-quality AM functional prototypes and serial production parts.

The system connects buyers with a global supplier network, which the company says streamlines the workflow to increase throughput and reduce operational costs. As part of the Siemens’ suite of Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions, the AM Network meets the most stringent requirements for security, availability and regulatory compliance.

Decathlon, the largest sporting goods retailer in the world, uses the AM Network to manage its additive manufacturing ordering process and control production progress as part of their strategy to scale their use of 3D printing globally and ramp up production, while maintaining high standards of quality. At Siemens Gas & Power, the AM Network is helping the business be more agile and respond to inquiries in real time to help ensure customers get exactly what they ordered, on time.

Earlier this year Siemens and HP continued to build on their long-standing strategic alliance with the introduction of a joint additive manufacturing solution targeting the automotive industry and other key industrial markets. The partnership is expanding with the integration of HP’s advanced 3D printing technology with the Siemens AM Network, and with the addition of HP’s Digital Manufacturing Network partners to the Siemens AM Network.

The HP Digital Manufacturing Network is a global community of digital manufacturing service providers with the capabilities to help design, produce and deliver plastic and metal final parts at scale, leveraging HP‘s Multi Jet Fusion and Metal Jet 3D printing solutions.

“Siemens and HP share a collective goal to help accelerate the journey to digital manufacturing for customers,” says Rob Mesaros, global head of services and alliances for HP 3D Printing and Digital Manufacturing. “Adding HP Multi Jet Fusion Solutions and HP Digital Manufacturing Network plastic production partners to the Siemens AM Network is a strong enabler for customers looking to use 3D printing for industrial production.”

“We believe that collaboration among AM industry leaders is key,” says Ben Cassiman, global key partner manager at Materialise.“It increases the adoption of 3D printing and it supports companies in their digital transformation.”