Baker Hughes implements Oqton Manufacturing OS
Deploying the software as its production solution for its central manufacturing facilities in Houston, Texas
Baker Hughes, an energy technology company, has deployed Oqton Manufacturing OS as its production solution in its central manufacturing facilities in Houston, Texas. This marks a significant milestone in the commercial software agreement Baker Hughes entered with Oqton, a wholly owned, independently operated subsidiary of 3D Systems, in March 2023. The successful implementation of this solution by Baker Hughes demonstrates the Oqton Manufacturing OS’ ability to accelerate the design and production of additively manufactured parts across the entire manufacturing workflow to increase efficiency and facilitate regulatory compliance.
Baker Hughes began using Oqton Manufacturing OS and the Oqton operating system in June 2024 to scale the role of AM within its manufacturing workflow. The system integration enables Baker Hughes to efficiently scale its production output while minimizing 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 realized a 98% reduction in active monitoring engineering time – saving 136 engineering hours per printer annually. Root cause analysis has also decreased 98% through Oqton’s automated reporting. Additionally, Baker Hughes realized an 18% reduction in costs associated with scrap due to real-time actionable alerts during part production.
Oqton Manufacturing OS helps customers move from prototyping to a repeatable, high-quality production additive manufacturing process, with full traceability from raw material through finished component which is essential for high-reliability applications. Oqton Manufacturing OS manages, optimizes, automates, monitors, and traces actions and data to increase throughput, scale production, and maximize operational efficiency.
The solution is designed to address all 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 DfAM, build process preparation, simulation, AM inspection, and digital rights management for functional efficiency; digital warehousing that provides user access segregation control with multifacility workflow management; an AM-based manufacturing execution system enables operational excellence, management, and traceability; and 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 of Additive Solutions and Chief Commercial Officer at 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.”
“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 industrialize at scale the manufacturing without compromising the quality assurance of its production,” said Jim Apostolides, Senior Vice President of Enterprise Operational Excellence at Baker Hughes.
