Siemens announces the official launch and general availability of the Additive Manufacturing Network (AM Network). It has already been successfully tested and implemented in a pilot phase at several customers and partners such as Decathlon, Siemens Gas & Power, Siemens Mobility, HP and Materialise. The AM Network is an innovative cloud-based solution to promote collaboration and process management between engineers, purchasing and suppliers of 3D printed parts. It provides an end-to-end digital process that connects demand for components to the supplier network. This enables globally distributed manufacturing. The Siemens AM network will be presented at Formnext 2019 in Frankfurt am Main.
The Siemens AM network is aimed at companies, suppliers and partners who want to accelerate the introduction of additive manufacturing (AM) for industrial processes and applications. It digitizes the order-to-delivery process by aligning the technical and commercial processes for high-value AM functional prototypes and production parts. The system links buyers with a global supplier network. This optimizes the process, promotes collaboration and commitment, and coordinates workflows. This increases throughput and reduces operating costs. As part of Siemens' Software as a Service (SaaS) suite, the AM network meets the most stringent security, availability and compliance requirements.
"The additive manufacturing experts and the industry experts at Siemens have developed the network based on a clear understanding of the complexity and needs of the industry. They were driven by a great passion for AM's industrial development," said Zvi Feuer, senior vice president of manufacturing engineering at Siemens Digital Industries Software. "By continuously engaging buyers, sellers and partners in the ecosystem, they will receive an optimized, modular solution that can grow with each company's individual needs.
First users are already recognizing the benefits of the platform. Decathlon, the world's largest sporting goods retailer with over 1500 stores in 49 countries, uses the AM network to manage the additive manufacturing ordering process. They also control production progress as part of their strategy to scale the use of 3D printing worldwide and increase production while maintaining high quality standards. At Siemens Gas & Power, the AM network is used to be more agile and respond to inquiries in real time. This ensures that customers receive exactly what they ordered on time.
"We have complete confidence that the network will enable us to smoothly exchange information between the different areas within the company," said Andreas Graichen, Group Manager, AM Industrialization and Digitalization, Siemens Power & Gas, Service Distributed Energy. "It will also help us to effectively connect with our external customers while providing a detailed overview of costs and production time from start to finish.
"Siemens and HP have a common goal to accelerate the development of digital manufacturing," said Rob Mesaros, Global Head of Services and Alliances, HP 3D Printing and Digital Manufacturing. "As we continue to expand our strategic alliance, we are proud that HP Multi Jet Fusion Solutions and HP Digital Manufacturing Network will be partners in the network for plastics manufacturing. They will help customers who want to use 3D printing for industrial production."
Siemens' AM network is aimed at companies, suppliers and partners who want to accelerate the industrialization of additive manufacturing (AM). It digitizes the order-to-delivery process by harmonizing the technical and commercial processes for high-quality AM functional prototypes and serial parts. The system links buyers with a global supplier network. This optimizes the process, promotes collaboration and commitment, and coordinates workflows. This increases throughput and reduces operating costs. As part of Siemens' SaaS suite, the AM network meets the most stringent security, availability and compliance requirements.
The first users are already recognizing the advantages of the platform. At Siemens Gas & Power, it helps to increase throughput in production and optimize the use of machines. This is done by ensuring a smooth flow of information and at the same time providing a detailed overview of costs and production times from start to finish. In addition, Decathlon uses the network to scale additive manufacturing worldwide and increase production while maintaining a high standard of quality.
Expansion of strategic industrial alliance
Earlier this year, Siemens and HP expanded their long-standing strategic alliance with the introduction of a joint additive manufacturing solution for the automotive industry and other key industries. The opportunities for collaboration continue to grow with the integration of HP's advanced 3D printing technology, the Siemens AM network and 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. They are able to assist in the development, manufacture and supply of high-quality large-format plastic and metal components. They use HP's Multi-Jet Fusion and Metal Jet 3D printing solutions.
"Siemens and HP share a common goal to accelerate the development of digital manufacturing," said Rob Mesaros, Global Head of Services and Alliances, HP 3D Printing and Digital Manufacturing. "As we continue to expand our strategic alliance, we are proud that HP Multi Jet Fusion Solutions and HP Digital Manufacturing Network will be partners in the network for plastics manufacturing. They will help customers who want to use 3D printing for industrial production."
"We believe that collaboration between the leading companies in the AM industry is critical. It increases the adoption of 3D printing and helps companies transform digitally," said Ben Cassiman, Global Key Partner Manager at Materialise. "As a member of the HP Digital Manufacturing Network and as a provider that is part of the Siemens AM network, we continue to expand our successful partnership with Siemens and HP to drive AM mass production and individualized mass production.
"The additive manufacturing experts and the industry experts from Siemens have developed the network based on a clear understanding of the complexity and needs of the industry. They were driven by a passion for AM's industrial development," said Zvi Feuer, senior vice president of manufacturing engineering at Siemens Digital Industries Software. "By continuously engaging buyers, sellers and partners in the ecosystem, they will receive an optimized, modular solution that can grow with each company's individual needs.
The AM network is another way Siemens is improving access to the latest knowledge and technologies to help customers introduce industrial additive manufacturing and digitize business operations. Siemens will showcase the complete solution at Formnext 2019 with features such as digital inventory, parts analysis, tendering, supplier network, cost analysis, order entry, customer communications, production tracking and planning, data analysis, dashboards and reporting.
"We have complete confidence that the network will enable a smooth exchange of information between the different areas within the company," said Andreas Graichen, Group Manager, AM Industrialization and Digitalization, Siemens Power & Gas, Service Distributed Energy. "It will also provide us with an effective connection to our external customers and at the same time give us a detailed overview of costs and production time from start to finish.
Siemens' AM network is now available for registration worldwide.
www.siemens.com