The encyclopedia · Engineering & Operations · Technical decision · 2019-2025
Siemens kept rail spares as data and printed them on demand
Siemens Mobility moved selected train parts out of high-bay storage into a virtual stock of digital files, printing them at the point of need.
Siemens Mobility
the move
Rail vehicles are maintained for thirty or more years, so operators must keep spare parts for components that were discontinued long ago; holding them in a warehouse is expensive and they are often never used.
Siemens Mobility's 'Easy Sparovation Part' approach stores the part as a digital data set in a virtual stock instead. When a part is needed, the data set is downloaded and the part is 3D printed locally.
The result is a catalogue that costs almost nothing to hold and can be produced wherever a machine is available, cutting warehouse space and the risk of obsolescence.
why it works
- A digital file has no carrying cost, so you can keep an almost unlimited catalogue of low-velocity spares.
- Printing on demand means the part is made when and where it is needed, shortening lead times.
- Parts stay in production for the life of the vehicle because the digital design never wears out.
- Printing locally removes the need for the physical high-bay warehouse for the selected range.
what transfers
If you must guarantee a spare for decades but rarely sell it, keep the drawing, not the metal. A parts warehouse becomes a data warehouse: an unbounded catalogue at near-zero carrying cost.
what came after
The Easy Sparovation Part programme expanded, including a 2020 network in Russia built with Stratasys printers, and reached more than 110 customers and 2,100 virtual parts. Siemens links the approach to over 10% CO2 reduction from additive manufacturing and to lower warehousing and tooling for a selected range of items.
references
- Spare parts - 3D printing for railways (Easy Sparovation Part)
- Siemens Mobility further invests in Stratasys 3D printers for 30 year rail maintenance project
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