Siemens and Stratasys partner on additive manufacturing

December 10, 2018 – Siemens and Stratasys have partnered to integrate Siemens Digital Factory solutions with Stratasys additive manufacturing techniques to bring 3D printing into the traditional manufacturing workflow.

The two companies have been collaborating on multiple projects including the direct link from Siemens NX software for CAD/CAM/CAE to Stratasys GrabCAD Print platform – enabling a design-to-3D print workflow – and the recently previewed the Stratasys Robotic Composite 3D Demonstrator that incorporates Siemens product lifecycle management (PLM) software and its motion control and CNC automation technologies.

At the core of the 3D Demonstrator is Stratasys advanced FDM (fused deposition modeling) additive manufacturing technology synchronized to complex multi-axis motion. It is extensible, providing the flexibility to integrate subtractive manufacturing, inline inspection and verification, and product finishing. 

The new workflow for the 3D Demonstrator begins with Siemens NX software. NX enables designers to create parts to be produced on the system, simulate and evaluate the design for manufacturability, and generate and send all the manufacturing instructions for part production. Throughout the manufacturing process, performance is controlled and communicated directly to the manufacturing operations management systems.

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The motion control for the 3D Demonstrator is driven by the Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl CNC. The open architecture of Sinumerik control combines the strengths of Siemens NC with flexible robot kinematics. The integration with Stratasys extrusion control technologies to execute manufacturing instructions from NX CAM, results in a high degree of freedom for robotic FDM extrusion.

“Siemens is enthusiastic about this partnership with Stratasys and the opportunity to help our customers adopt a new manufacturing mindset that we believe will result in better products produced more economically and delivered more efficiently,” says Zvi Feuer, SVP manufacturing engineering software, Siemens PLM Software. “We are committed to the industrialization of additive manufacturing with all of its unique advantages, including complex part geometries, on-demand production and mass customization. This relationship helps set the course for continued innovation and leadership through the tight integration of our product lines and through collaboration on comprehensive additive manufacturing solutions.”

“Stratasys is excited to formalize our partnership with Siemens, and views it as a major catalyst for the industrialization of additive manufacturing,” says Dan Yalon, executive vice-president, products at Stratasys. “Together, our companies are joining forces to create a cohesive, best-of-breed technology foundation that enables large-scale manufacturers to enjoy the benefits of additive manufacturing in traditional production environments. We believe that the impact on production practices will begin sooner rather than later with the aerospace, automotive and factory tooling industries expected to benefit first.”