MTL4544AS The high degree of freedom in additive manufacturing design has helped the automotive industry reduce its carbon footprint by 80% during fixture production
• Optimize production processes through digital twins to reduce carbon emissions in production processes
• Reduce carbon emissions from warehousing and transportation through decentralized production
• Use biodegradable materials for 3D printing to reduce pollution

Siemens presents sustainable solutions for Additive Manufacturing at the 2022 Formnext International Trade show for Additive Manufacturing. Through multiple application cases, Siemens has demonstrated how to implement the concept of sustainable development throughout the product life cycle, achieve resource conservation, reduce the carbon footprint in the production process, and contribute to the achievement of global climate governance goals.

MTL4544AS Green solutions for additive manufacturing of fixtures

Siemens’ fixture solutions for the automotive industry demonstrate the important role that optimal design plays in the realization of green additive manufacturing. In this case, using the NX software platform for the additive manufacturing industry, Siemens established a seamless digital process chain, found the optimal design through topological optimization, and then tested it using finite element method (FEM) simulation. By optimizing the design, the total mass of the fixture was reduced by 64%, significantly reducing the manufacturing materials required. Siemens’ Teamcenter Product Cost Management Solution and Product Carbon Footprint Calculator also optimize production costs and carbon footprints. This case was originally intended to be a fixture assembled from more than 660 parts and weighing 58 kg. Not only is the weight of the final product significantly reduced, but the flexible design also reduces the complexity of assembly and saves 80% of assembly time. In this case, the use of additive design resulted in a 73 percent reduction in production costs and an 82 percent reduction in carbon footprint compared to traditional design methods. By reducing the weight of the fixture, a smaller robot can be used to control it, saving a further 54% of annual energy consumption.

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MTL4544AS Optimize energy consumption through digital transformation for more efficient production

Siemens and GENRA cooperate in the field of additive manufacturing. GENERA has adopted the “Additive Manufacturing Digital Factory Planning Kit” from Siemens Avenda to simulate the industrial production of plug connectors using digital light processing. By establishing a digital twin of the production process, the 3D printer’s energy consumption in different machine states can be accurately and transparently analyzed without affecting the normal operation of the system. Thanks to more efficient energy management, the production of each component can reduce energy consumption by 25% to 30%, depending on the utilization of the printer.

Develop environmentally friendly materials

Siemens also showcased its 3D printed environmentally friendly material for the construction and infrastructure construction industry, which is biodegradable and offers great potential for sustainable development of the industry.

Additive manufacturing machine manufacturer CEAD and Dutch composites specialist Poly Products have jointly developed 3D printed flax port fenders. The port fender can provide a buffer when the ship is docked to the shore, so that the shore wall will not cause reloading damage to the ship’s outer wall. Port fenders are usually made of plastic, and daily wear and tear can cause harmful plastic to flow into the ocean. Flax fenders produced through 3D printing are as strong as conventional fenders, but have a smaller carbon footprint during production and are 100% biodegradable and more environmentally friendly. The 3D printer for the production of the material is equipped with the Siemens Sinumerik 840D sl control system, which enables precise control of the complex movements of the robot, ensuring accurate material application and component milling.

MTL4544AS Build an additive manufacturing network to reduce the carbon footprint of the production process

Additive manufacturing is driving the development of the manufacturing industry in the direction of “decentralization”, where existing high-cost physical inventory will be transformed into digital warehouses, enabling nearby production. This can improve supply chain resilience, reduce inventory costs, and reduce CO2 emissions during transportation. The Siemens Additive Manufacturing digital solution will enable organizations to build and certify digital assets and integrate them into a unified “library” that allows users to place orders on demand with one click. The Siemens Additive Manufacturing network can find the production location to match the user’s manufacturing needs, significantly improving response speed and equipment utilization at each production location. This mode can effectively avoid unnecessary downtime and optimize the energy consumed by the 3D printer for preheating and cooling. The Siemens Additive Manufacturing network also enables companies to communicate on a digital platform to optimise production facilities and respond efficiently to production needs.