Siemens invests in new 3D-printing facility in UK

Press Release




Additive Manufacturing: Siemens uses innovative technology to produce gas turbines
Extreme conditions for the 3D-printed blades

Additive manufacturing has the potential to become a new key technology. For example it opens up new attractive prospects in the manufacture of gas turbines. This is why Siemens has been investing in this innovative technology right from its inception, and is now driving the industrialization and commercialization of these processes. Additive Manufacturing is a process that builds parts layer-by-layer from sliced CAD models to form solid objects. This enables highly precise solutions to be formed from powdered high-performance materials. Siemens is a pioneer in Additive Manufacturing and already uses the technology for rapid prototyping. Furthermore the company is now developing solutions ready for series-production for manufacturing gas turbine burner nozzles and repairing burner heads. Just recently Siemens achieved yet another breakthrough: the first gas turbine blades ever to be produced using Additive Manufacturing have successfully finished performance testing under full-load conditions.

• Investment of €30 million in state-of-the-art 3D-printing factory
• Creation of more than 50 new advanced manufacturing jobs at Materials Solutions in Worcester
• Part of Siemens' strategy to build a global AM services business
• New AM factory will be fully powered by Siemens Digital Enterprise solutions

Siemens is to make a €30 million investment in a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility for Materials Solutions Ltd., its Additive Manufacturing, or 3D-printing specialist. The new building in Worcester, UK, set to open in September 2018, will more than double the company's current footprint, enabling it to increase its fleet of 3D-printing machines to 50. The expansion is also expected to support the creation of more than 50 high quality new jobs in Worcester. This major investment is part of Siemens' plans to build and grow a global business with Additive Manufacturing services for the aerospace industry, the automotive industry and other industries. The new factory will be fully powered by Siemens Digital Enterprise solutions, an end-to-end portfolio comprising software-based systems and automation components which cover every conceivable requirement arising along the industrial value chain. It will therefore harness the potential of digitalisation.



"Additive Manufacturing is a major pillar in our digitization strategy," said Willi Meixner, CEO of Siemens Power and Gas Division. "This significant investment underlines our belief that there is huge potential for innovation and growth within the Additive Manufacturing sector. It is also the next step towards achieving our ambition of pioneering the industrialisation of this exciting new technology and demonstrates how we are leading the way for the fourth industrial revolution," he added. Siemens is leading not only as a user of 3D-printing but also as a supplier of software and solutions for the automation of this technology. Moreover, with Materials Solutions, the company also offers comprehensive services for engineering and printing up to the complete manufacturing of parts for external customers for example in the aviation industry, the automotive industry and motor sports. Siemens acquired a majority stake in Materials Solutions Ltd. in 2016. The business is a pioneer in the use of Selective Laser Melting (SLM) technology for the manufacture of high-performance metal parts, with a focus on high-temperature super alloys. Materials Solutions has grown its business considerably over the last two years. It has developed proven applications, know-how and a supply chain for some of the world's most advanced engineering companies operating in a broad range of industries. The company also works closely with Siemens' Power & Gas Division and it is anticipated that, thanks to its expanded footprint, it will manufacture thousands of parts for use in Siemens power generation equipment over the coming years.