Baker Hughes successfully integrates Oqton software management from 3D Systems
September 18, 2024
3D Systems, Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA, reports a significant milestone in commercialising the Oqton Manufacturing OS software platform. Baker Hughes, a US-based energy technology company, has successfully deployed Oqton Manufacturing OS as its production solution for Additive Manufacturing workflow at its central manufacturing facilities in Houston, Texas.
Oqton is an independently operated subsidiary of 3D Systems based in Ghent, Belgium. In March 2023, Baker Hughes and Oqton announced a commercial software agreement to develop an industrial digital ecosystem that could transform how manufacturers bring products to market.
Baker Hughes began using the new Oqton Manufacturing OS and the Oqton OS in June 2024 to scale the role of AM within its manufacturing workflow. The integration enables Baker Hughes to efficiently scale its production output, while minimising investments in the support structure. The end-to-end system facilitates the monitoring of key performance indicators through the production workflow.
For build monitoring alone, Baker Hughes noted a 98% reduction in active monitoring engineering time, saving 136 engineering hours per AM machine annually. Root cause analysis has also been said to have decreased by 98% through Oqton’s automated reporting. Additionally, Baker Hughes reportedly realised an 18% reduction in costs associated with scrap due to real-time actionable alerts during part production.
Oqton Manufacturing OS looks to help customers move from prototyping to a repeatable, high-quality production Additive Manufacturing process, with full traceability from raw material through to finished components, which is essential for high-reliability applications. The software is intended to optimise, automate, monitor, and trace actions and data to increase throughput, scale production, and maximise operational efficiency.
The platform addresses key aspects of an end-to-end manufacturing workflow, including:
- Order management via a customer and supplier portal for order intake, capacity and demand planning, and quoting and approvals
- Engineering through 3DXpert enabling Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM), build process preparation, simulation, AM inspection, and digital rights management for functional efficiency
- Digital warehousing that provides user access segregation control with multi-facility workflow management
- An Additive Manufacturing-based MES (manufacturing execution system) enables operational excellence, management and traceability
- Production monitoring based on internally developed IP uses analytic-driven and deep learning capabilities to detect and alert anomalies in real-time
“We are pleased to achieve deployment of this solution with our strategic partner, Baker Hughes,” said Reji Puthenveetil, EVP, additive solutions & chief commercial officer, 3D Systems. “Oqton Manufacturing OS’ holistic approach to manufacturing, alongside Baker Hughes’ expertise in production for regulated industrial environments, has enabled us to demonstrate the real-world impact of this unique solution. Following this key demonstration of Manufacturing OS’ ability to drive efficiencies, increase automation and achieve savings in complex industrial environments, we are looking forward to its continued adoption.”
Jim Apostolides, senior vice president, enterprise operational excellence, Baker Hughes, added, “The Manufacturing OS production software improves efficiency through the automation of the complex process, from order requirements, design revision controls, qualified build setups, traceability and reporting. It provides the tools to industrialise at scale the manufacturing without compromising the quality assurance of its production.”
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