Siemens Expands U.S. Additive Manufacturing Research, Development Initiatives

Siemens says it is increasing its focus on additive manufacturing (AM) research and development initiatives to help accelerate the transformation of the U.S. manufacturing industries through serial additive manufacturing.  

“We are on the threshold of a new frontier in American industry, where the implementation of additive manufacturing will bring fundamental changes to the landscape, end-to-end, from product to machine to manufacturing,” says Steve Vosmik, head of Siemens Additive Manufacturing in the U.S. “Siemens is very excited to be at the forefront of this process.” 

Siemens supports the domestic AM machine builder community, so it is bringing its motion control, automation hardware, digitalization software and technology capabilities to assist machine builders. From its Charlotte Advanced Technology Collaboration Hub (CATCH), located in Charlotte, North Carolina, Siemens will serve as an ecosystem platform for machine builders, machine users and additive design engineers alike.  

“More than 100 machine builders from around the world are implementing Siemens automation solutions to industrialize their machines,” says Rajas Sukthankar, vice president, motion control, Siemens Industry Inc. “Now it’s time to support even more customers and accelerate their transformation from single machines to series additive manufacturing factories. North America is heading in this direction.”

Siemens can assist AM job shops as well as Tier 1 production facilities with end-to-end solutions, including product design software, digital twin machine simulation and virtual execution of manufacturing methods, with full data feedback into the design protocol for necessary adjustments, prior to any machine building.  

“This comprehensive suite of software and motion control hardware offerings makes Siemens a viable partner at every step of the AM process,” Vosmik says. 

Siemens is adding technology to CATCH to incorporate metal binder jet technology through the purchase and installation of an ExOne/Desktop Metal Production System and Meltio Robotic System with the Siemens Sinumerik RunMyRobot application onboard. Sinumerik RunMyRobot controls the kinematic path of an industrial robot as it integrates with the CNC machine.

Siemens is also establishing an Additive Manufacturing Advisory Board of AM  industry leaders — drawn from various industries and technical disciplines — to provide guidance as it seeks to support the fast-growing needs of the AM market. 

“We are looking forward to engaging and collaborating with this talented group of industry experts as we move ahead together into this exciting new world of manufacturing in America,” Vosmik adds.