Siemens, Local Motors Partner for Development of Large-Scale Additive Manufacturing of Cars

Siemens and Local Motors have formed a new partnership for the development and large-scale additive manufacturing of cars. The partnership combines the power of Siemens’ product lifecycle management (PLM) software with Local Motors’ leadership in co-created and 3D-printed vehicles, a process it calls direct digital manufacturing (DDM). Local Motors plans to enhance productivity in its Local Motors (LM) Labs program by leveraging Siemens’ capacity for creating “digital twins,” while Siemens expects to further enhance its digital enterprise software suite to support the latest advances in additive manufacturing and 3D printing.

The two entities have been partners since 2011, with Local Motors using Siemens’ Solid Edge CAD software.

The new partnership expands Local Motors’ use of Solid Edge and adds Siemens’ NX and Fibersim software to all Local Motors facilities. NX, a comprehensive CAD/CAM/CAE software and Fibersim, a portfolio of composites engineering software, will be used to increase productivity and quality in product design and DDM, according to Local Motors.

Dr. Helmuth Ludwig, executive vice president and chief digital officer with Siemens PLM Software, says, “We recognize the growing importance of additive manufacturing and 3D printing for the global manufacturing industry. That is why we are delighted to partner with innovative companies like Local Motors who are leading the way for large-scale 3D printing. By working closely together, we can help advance this technology so that all manufacturers can better realize innovation.”

Local Motors plans to open three new facilities in 2016, all of which will feature LM Labs. Siemens PLM Software plans to be a sponsor of all three LM Labs.