Combination of 3D Printing, Digital Twins Revamping Manufacturing, Siemens Executive Says


SOURCE: SME.ORG
MAY 17, 2022

DETROIT -- The combination of additive manufacturing and digital will transform manufacturing, a Siemens executive said today at RAPID + TCT.

Those technologies together will lead “to a new era of manufacturing,” Barbara Humpton, president and CEO of Siemens USA, said during a speech at the trade show about 3D printing technology.

“This time a new era of manufacturing…has arrived,” she said.

A digital twin represents and virtually simulates objects or systems. Additive manufacturing, the printing of parts, has been around for more than 30 years. Humpton said digital twins are helping to spread the use of 3D printing.

The Siemens executive said the expansion of additive manufacturing is encouraging a “glocal” outlook in industry with more localized production.

“Our reliance against disruptions will depend on local production,” Humpton said.

With more localized production, parts “can be manufactured faster because we don’t have to ship products around the world,” she added.

Also, 3D printing is “an opportunity to reinvent…just about everything,” she said. “I remain optimistic. Technology is strengthening the case for investing in U.S. manufacturing.”

RAPID + TCT is being held at Huntington Place in Detroit. The show runs from today through May 19.

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