CASE STUDY
Case Study | Daimler Buses
The Challenge Printing objects at an acceptable level of quality and adequate cost used to be the domain of science fiction , but many technical issues have since been overcome , and 3D-printing urgently needed parts have become a viable option , just at the moment when the global supply chains are buckling under the many stresses of our times and consumers are expecting more sustainability . However , when parts are printed out of the reach of the original rights holder , solutions are required to protect the intellectual property and make the billing process secure and transparent along the entire chain .
The Solution Many parts for Daimler and Setra Buses are now made available in digital , 3D-printable format on the OMNIplus service portal . Bus operators and service partners can buy these for printing on site . This is made possible with Wibu-Systems ’ CodeMeter encryption and licensing solution and specially certified printers made by Farsoon Technologies . The files
are sold as encrypted downloads , and the buyer receives a license to use for pre-printing and an actual printing license that allows as many copies to be printed as the buyer has paid for .
The Success In cooperation with Wibu-Systems and Farsoon Technologies , Daimler Buses has revolutionized the spare parts business from the ground up and raised a flag for additive manufacturing in its industry . The success proves : The ability to protect and monetize intellectual property with the tried-and-tested CodeMeter technology is opening the doors for new business models based on 3D printing .
The Company Daimler Buses is a pioneer in the entire automotive industry for industrial 3D printing . The company has been focusing on the potential of digital production technology since 2016 . In the meantime , the OMNIplus service brand has designated around 40,000 bus / touring coach spare parts from the Mercedes-Benz and Setra brands as suitable for 3D printing . Initially , OMNIplus is concentrating on more than 7,000 parts that are to be digitized gradually . A kind of digital warehouse will be created in this way which is being expanded continuously . It includes both regularly required spare parts as well as rarely required parts for special customer requests . The virtual warehouse forms the basis for 3D printing license management , which shall further optimize the rapid availability of spare parts .
Ralf Anderhofstadt , Head of Center of Competence Additive Manufacturing Daimler Trucks and Buses “ The successful implementation of the revolutionary AM digital rights management system means that our partners and we have made a real mark in the digital 3D printing business . This opens up completely new vistas for our service operations and for the availability of products where they are needed at the point of sale , both commercially speaking and thinking about the good of our environment .”
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