AM industrialization is top of mind in the Siemens Xcelerator, an open digital business platform that comprises an ecosystem of hardware and software suppliers and whose motto is “let’s advance manufacturing”. In line with this mission, Siemens and a selection of its partners in the Siemens Xcelerator Marketplace will be demonstrating the latest advancements in AM automation and digitalization at Formnext 2024. Siemens will also be showcasing a number of new Xcelerator Marketplace offerings, including an innovative LFAM process from LEAM Technologies and VLM Robotics’ new CALYPSO mobile robotic 3D printer.
LEAM Technologies joins Xcelerator Marketplace
LEAM Technologies joins existing Siemens Xcelerator Marketplace partners like Castor, EOS and AMbitious, bringing its large-format AM and light-based welding technology to the ecosystem. The German startup, which has collaborated closely with LFAM expert CEAD, has introduced a new process that uses high-performance LED lights to heat and print plastic materials. This technique not only results in parts with extreme mechanical strength, it is also enabling the printing of challenging materials. LEAM’s technology also includes a temperature monitoring system, which checks and regulates the temperature at every position of the part and is now part of the Siemens Xcelerator, enabling manufacturers to enhance their production processes.
VLM Robotics is newcomer to Siemens ecosystem
Another newcomer to the Siemens Xcelerator Marketplace is VLM Robotics, which specializes in XXL manufacturing systems for the railway, maritime, aerospace and energy industries. VLM Robotics is taking Formnext as an opportunity to unveil its CALYPSO platform, a fully automated mobile robotic solution based on Sinumerik One, Sinumerik CNC Robotics, Simove and other CNC robotic systems. The company will also be showcasing its GEMINI platform, a hybrid XXL AM platform capable of Directed Energy Deposition (DED), cold spray AM, welding and milling.
“VLM Robotics’ range of CNC robotic machines can be seamlessly integrated into the production environment, enabling agile repair and production work on large components,” Siemens says. “Digital threads play a vital role in this, as they are end-to-end digital twins of all data and information across the entire lifecycle of a product, machine and process, enabling seamless integration and transparency from development to disposal. The complexity of controlling a highly scalable multi-technology robotic machine while meeting high precision and quality requirements requires a high level of industry, automation and digitalization expertise.”
Haddy demonstrates circular economy
AM I Navigator progression
Finally, Siemens has disclosed that Stratasys has joined the AM I Navigator initiative, which was launched in 2023 by Forward AM, Siemens Industry, DyeMansion, EOS and HP. The program aims to establish a standardized model for technical maturation—the Additive Manufacturing Industrialization Navigator. With Stratasys’ partnership, the AM I Navigator initiative progresses into the next round. “With its framework, the AM I Navigator provides a structured approach to defining the current status and the steps toward the target state of industrialized additive manufacturing,” Siemens specifies. “It builds on established frameworks for digital manufacturing, such as the Smart Industry Readiness Index (SIRI), which helps companies to assess their current level of digitalization and readiness for Industry 4.0 and to develop strategies for the modernization of their production processes.”
You can find Siemens’ exhibitor area at booth D101 in hall 12.1 all week at Formnext 2024.
