Daimler Truck Buses spare parts

Daimler Truck adds remote spare part production with AM

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A collaboration between Daimler Truck, 3D Systems, Oqton, and Wibu-Systems is to produce spare parts on demand via a new remote spare part production solution.

The new solution will enable Daimler Buses-certified 3D printing partners to produce parts on-demand to overcome supply chain bottlenecks, and reduce delivery time by a claimed 75 per cent, while protecting Daimler Buses’ intellectual property through digital rights management.

The process will leverage 3D Systems’ expertise in 3D printing technology, materials, and applications; its former software arm Oqton’s software,  and the technology of Wibu-Systems in digital rights and IP management.

Daimler Truck says that this collaboration will enable it 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 per cent. Commercial truck, bus, and touring coach companies will also realise substantial indirect cost savings by minimising vehicle downtime due to maintenance.

“The Digital Rights Management enables us to shorten service times through decentralised production in order to further maximise productivity and revenue for commercial vehicle companies,” said Ralf Anderhofstadt, head of center of competence additive manufacturing, Daimler Truck and Buses. “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 decentralised 3D printing production.”

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Bus companies or a service bureau can join Daimler Buses’ network of 3D printing certified partners by purchasing a license for 3DXpert through Daimler Buses’ Omniplus 3D-Printing License eShop. The prepare and print license enables the customer or service partner to decrypt the design files for the parts needed for a specific repair job and only produce the exact quantity needed. Currently, the solution is designed to 3D print parts on 3D Systems’ SLS 380.

In the future, Daimler Buses anticipates service bureaus will be able to connect any 3D Systems’ polymer or metal 3D printer to the solution.

“By commercialising this digital service solution, Daimler Buses is not only adopting a new technology; they’re fundamentally reshaping the supply chain for greater resilience and efficiency,” said Jaime Garcia, additive solutions manager – automotive and commercial transportation, 3D Systems, adding: “I look forward to seeing how the capabilities grow as we add other polymer as well as metal 3D printers in the future.”


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