Siemens
Siemens Materials Solutions 3d-printed-blades
Siemens, a global technology company, is investing £27m in an additive manufacturing (AM) facility for its Worcester-based Materials Solutions business.
The new 4,700-metre-squared plant will open in September 2018, creating more than 50 advanced manufacturing jobs and facilitating up to 50 3D printing machines by 2023 – currently Materials Solutions owns 15 AM platforms.
Siemens acquired an 85% stake in Materials Solutions in 2016, recognising the potential in a company already harnessing Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology to manufacture high-performance metal parts for the aviation, automotive and power generation industries. This latest investment outlines the company’s commitment to Materials Solutions and to AM, and for Juergen Maier, who recently led the Made Smarter review for Government on behalf of industry in the UK, demonstrates Siemens’ position as a pioneer with regards to Industry 4.0.
“This significant investment underlines our belief that there is huge potential for innovation and growth within the additive manufacturing sector,” commented Juergen Maier, Siemens UK CEO. “It is also the next step towards achieving our ambition of pioneering the industrialisation of 3D printing and demonstrates how we are leading the way for the fourth industrial revolution.
“If the UK’s manufacturing sector is to grow and thrive, we must embrace digital technologies and build new industries based on them. Our vision and ambition for Materials Solutions perfectly represents how we are putting this strategy into practice.”
Last year, through the Materials Solutions division, Siemens successfully tested a 3D printed gas turbine blade at 13,000 revolutions per minute and temperatures above 1,250℃. The aim now is to build on that accomplishment. Powered by Siemens Digital Enterprise technologies, including an end-to-end portfolio comprising software-based systems and automation components, the facility will be a focal point for a collaboration between Materials Solutions and the Siemens Digital Factory Division. With a state-of-the-art facility set to be opened, and the cooperation between Materials Solutions and Siemens Digital Factory, there is an aura of optimism in private enterprise and government alike.
“We were incredibly proud to have achieved a world first last year – the production of a successfully tested 3D printed gas turbine blade,” said Phil Hatherley, General Manager of Materials Solutions. “I believe our new factory will facilitate similar achievements for our customers operating in other highly demanding environments, allowing us to maintain our position at the leading edge of this incredibly exciting industry.”
“Innovation is at the heat of the future of UK manufacturing and this factory will produce a game-changing technology that has the potential to transform the UK’s industrial base, demonstrating industry-backing of the approach set out in Made Smarter and making the sector even more productive and competitive in global markets,” added Business Secretary, Greg Clark.
