E-commerce or
CRM system
Creates license
CAD
Software
OEM
Software
CAD
file
CodeMeter
Core API
Producer/Designer
means of tracking how many of his pieces are
produced, irrespective of when and where in
the world this happens.
Before the piece can physically be printed, the
data still needs to be processed in a variety
of ways. The 3D design data needs to be
translated into a layered model, because the
actual printers create the pieces additively,
i.e. layer upon layer. The material properties
(plastic, metal etc.) also need to be consid-
ered, as they might change over time or with
changing temperatures, which might, in turn,
affect the printing process. All of these ques-
tions are already covered by dedicated and
sophisticated software packages that do the
necessary calculations and steer the actual
printing process.
These packages do not have to come in one
proprietary suite from one software publisher
but can be mixed and matched. This makes IP
protection through the entire chain an even
more complex problem. Finally, the ability to
count the number of printed objects must be
included in the printer management itself to
ensure meaningful controls over the process.
What could a complete IP
protection landscape look like?
Even though 3D printing is still in its infancy, IP
protection and usage counting can draw on
a long history from other areas of application.
Encryption, authentication, and licensing have
been the bread-and-butter business of Wibu-
Systems for more than three decades, and the
tried-and-tested CodeMeter technology already
includes all the pieces to add state-of-the-art
protection and monetization capabilities across
the entire digital process chain.
License
Central
3D
file
Activate
Prepress-
License
OEM
Software
Activate
Printer-
License
Print
job
Printer
CodeMeter
Core API CodeMeter
Core API
Prepress Printer
It all begins with the secure encryption of
the CAD data (STL files) and the other data
processed en route to the actual printer. The
CAD software and other applications involved
in the other steps need to be able to decrypt
the protected data, process it, and encrypt it
again before handing it down the line. The
cryptographic toolbox of CodeMeter API has
the necessary routines on board to integrate
encryption and decryption easily and quickly
in the various software products and ensure
complete IP protection throughout the chain.
At the same time, the security of the entire
system rises and falls with the secure storage
and allocation of the cryptographic keys needed
for encryption and decryption. With CodeMeter,
they can be stored securely as licenses in a
hardware device (CmDongle), software
(CmActLicense), or cloud (CmCloud) container
to match the needs of the rights holder. The
licenses can also be assigned specific rights,
such as restrictions on the feature set or the
expiry time. The license used for printing can
also be given a quantity counter to track or
limit the number of objects the user is allowed
to produce.
Managing and safely distributing licenses
(rights) is already handled perfectly by
CodeMeter License Central. The cloud-based
approach allows rights to be allocated to
users around the clock and around the globe
(and, if need be, offline if the user’s system
has no direct internet connection). A choice of
interfaces is available to allow the integration
of back office systems and pave the way for
extensive automation.
their production, they can place an order in
the supplier’s online store. They would then
receive an encrypted file with the design and
the rights they need to print the number of
objects they have paid for. This gives them
enormous flexibility in terms of time and
quantities, which can be a substantial finan-
cial advantage, especially if the producer and
user of the component are based on opposite
sides of the world. The original designer of the
component can rest assured that his valuable
know-how is secure and indeed reaching new
target groups and new markets via the novel
distribution channel.
Where are we now?
Additive manufacturing is considered a future
market – but the future starts today. Many
sectors of industry have already realized
its potential for small production runs (e.g.
in medical technology or consumer and
designer goods). This great future potential
will, however, be influenced substantially by
the fact that the people printing the objects
are not necessarily the people who own the
rights to them. There are also opportunities
for dedicated agencies that can take over
3D printing jobs for other businesses in their
vicinity. All of this makes uncompromising IP
protection and flexible monetization options
an absolute must for the technology.
With CodeMeter, Wibu-Systems is already
offering a secure and long-established system
that can handle all digital value chains in
additive manufacturing.
Now, if a company wants to 3D print a specific
component of a third-party supplier for use in
11