Replique Develops Secure Platform for On-Demand Aftermarket Parts

Replique, a Mannheim-based venture of BASF Chemovator, is building the first industrial, fully encrypted virtual inventory platform for on-demand manufacturing and fulfillment. The platform offers OEMs a single point of contact with expertise that comprises the complete end-to-end process, and intellectual property (IP) — primarily the valuable designs of original parts — is secured as Replique encrypts all data sets.

Benefits for OEMs include significant total cost savings and growth opportunities in the aftermarket, global availability of their spare parts and accessories, and rapid local delivery. This on-demand platform also eliminates difficulties in demand planning, huge warehouses and high minimum order quantities which can lead to costly processes in aftermarket management.

Replique’s integrated platform combines the secure storage of designs with the on-demand and decentralized manufacturing and distribution of parts. Instead of physically storing parts in an inventory, part designs are virtually stored and monetized by manufacturing them on-demand and close to the end location. For industrial production, Replique uses its global network of quality-approved industrial manufacturing service bureaus, enabling OEMs to reducing their total costs of ownership while increasing flexibility. OEMs can also provide better aftermarket services to their customers with parts always being available, even at the end of the product lifecycle.

Importantly, Replique offers a secure platform with end-to-end encryption for secure storage and distribution of the OEM designs. This enables OEMs to retain control over IP distribution and quality of their parts. Replique says it enforces strict 3D printing and process parameters for the service bureaus and tracks them in order to ensure that all parts are printed in the requested quantity and the original OEM quality.

Replique also helps OEMs identify 3D printable parts and convert them into the correct digital format. The company optimizes native 3D printable designs to ensure both the commercial viability and the long-term performance integrity of the final printed part. Replique’s experts also support OEMs in selecting the optimal AM materials, technologies and printers.