Leading additive manufacturing (AM) solutions provider 3D Systems and commercial vehicle manufacturer Daimler Truck|Daimler Buses announced a revolutionary solution to facilitate remote spare part printing.
The solution combines Daimler Buses’ production and maintenance expertise for automotive serial additive manufacturing parts for trucks, buses, and motorcoaches with 3D Systems’ expertise in 3D printing technology, materials, and applications, Oqton’s software leadership, and the pioneering work of Wibu-Systems in digital rights and IP management. This collaboration enables Daimler Buses to deliver enhanced service capabilities to its certified AM partners while protecting its valuable intellectual property (IP) and competitive position. By utilizing this solution, Daimler Buses’ certified 3D printing partners will be able to manufacture spare parts locally for various underhood and cabin interior applications, including pins, covers and inserts. As a result, these service partners can increase flexibility and efficiency while reducing time to parts in hand by up to 75%. Commercial truck, bus, and touring coach companies will also realize substantial indirect cost savings by minimizing vehicle downtime due to maintenance.
“We are very pleased that we are expanding the revolutionary solution with 3D Systems, one of the world’s leading 3D printer manufacturers, and realizing our vision for decentralized spare parts production,” says Ralf Anderhofstadt, head of center of competence AM, Daimler Truck and Buses. "The Digital Rights Management enables us to shorten service times through decentralized production in order to further maximize productivity and revenue for commercial vehicle companies. In addition, the sensible use of industrial 3D printing results in reducing the complexity in the supply chains. Through our collaboration with 3D Systems, Oqton and Wibu-Systems, we are setting another important milestone in the expansion of decentralized 3D printing production."
