Siemens Opens 3D Printing Facility

Siemens has opened a 3D printing facility at Materials Solutions Ltd. in the United Kingdom. Siemens’ €30 million investment doubles the capacity of its 3D printing machines (now at 50) and increases its post-processing capabilities.

The new facility, which spans 48,438 sq.ft. (4500 m²), uses several of Siemens’ digital factory and additive manufacturing technologies, such as end-to-end PLM chain, its computer-aided design software (NX) and MindSphere, Siemens’ cloud-based open operating system. Materials Solutions also provides various designs for additive manufacturing.

The facility will also produce 3D-printed combustion components for Siemens’ SGT5-9000HL gas turbine, which will be used for the first time by SSE plc, a Scottish energy company, for a use in Keadby 2, a combined cycle power plant in Lincolnshire, U.K.

Siemens has been using additive manufacturing technology for several years, creating rotating parts for use in its gas turbines. The company also has more than 110,000 hours of engine experience with 3D-printed gas turbines parts in power plants.

Materials Solutions also has expertise in additive manufacturing, having produced thousands of parts to more than 80 global customers. Siemens acquired the majority stake (85%) in Materials Solutions in 2016.