3D Systems, Daimler develop remote spare part manufacturing solution
February 14, 2025
3D Systems, Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA, its subsidiary Oqton, Daimler Truck | Daimler Buses, and IP management company Wibu-Systems have announced the development of a remote spare part manufacturing solution which will allow Daimler Buses’ Additive Manufacturing partners to manufacture spare parts locally for underhood and cabin interior applications (e.g. pins, covers, and inserts).
While this solution is currently focused on 3D Systems’ SLS 380 Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) machine, suitable for polymers, the companies anticipate expanding the production capability to any metal or polymer machine produced by 3D Systems.
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“We are very pleased that we are expanding the revolutionary solution with 3D Systems, one of the world’s leading 3D printer manufacturers, and realising our vision for decentralised spare parts production,” said Ralf Anderhofstadt, head of the Center of Competence Additive Manufacturing, Daimler Truck and Buses. “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. 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.”
Through the partnership, Daimler Buses’ service partners can reportedly increase flexibility and efficiency while reducing time to parts in hand by up to 75%. Commercial truck, bus, and touring coach companies will also realise substantial indirect cost savings by minimising vehicle downtime due to maintenance.
Without the ability to manufacture on-site, service providers may face significant downtimes when they need specific, critical parts; if the parts are unavailable locally, the providers could face a delay of up to several weeks. By taking advantage of the solution provided by Daimler Buses, service providers will be able to collaborate with nearby service bureaux to produce the parts as needed.
Commercialising the solution
Bus/motorcoach companies and service bureaux can join Daimler Buses’ network of Additive Manufacturing partners by purchasing a license for the integrated AM 3DXpert software 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, this solution is only compatible with 3D Systems’ SLS 380 PBF-LB AM machine.
“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. “Our SLS 380 is a high throughput Additive Manufacturing solution with unprecedented levels of throughput, consistency, performance, and yield. I’m pleased that this is the first 3D Systems technology to be integrated into Daimler Buses’ workflow. I look forward to seeing how the capabilities grow as we add other polymer as well as metal 3D printers in the future.”
Roy Sterenthal, vice president, industrial additive, Oqton commented, “Our 3DXpert software is renowned as an all-in-one solution to streamline the Additive Manufacturing production workflow. By combining this capability with Wibu-Systems’ robust digital rights management solution, we’re helping Daimler Buses safeguard its intellectual property while accelerating its supply chain. I’m pleased that we can be part of this innovative solution to produce on-demand critical components, reduce reliance on global logistics, and ultimately return vehicles to service faster than ever.”
