High tech user-friendliness makes 3D printing possible for everyone
Sophisticated security concept controls print volumes and OE licenses
Open API - All 3D printer manufacturers can connect to the solution
The Würth Additive Group is part of the Würth Group and offers a comprehensive range of 3D printing solutions for industrial manufacturing customers worldwide. In addition to selling 3D printers, filaments, printing materials and specialized safety equipment for additive manufacturing, the Würth Additive Group also provides support in the design and development of required parts.
The Würth Group is a global leader in physical inventory management. The Würth Additive Group's vision is to extend this leadership to digital inventory management by uniting the physical and digital worlds. Additive manufacturing serves as the bridge between these worlds – not just as a technology, but as a service: Digital Inventory Services.
A mechanic needs a part. Instead of laboriously searching through the warehouse, driving to the nearest parts dealer or having to put up with long delivery times, he simply goes to a machine, enters the required part via an interface and has it printed on site. No storage costs, no delivery costs, no long waiting times.
The biggest challenge in additive manufacturing is the risk of uncontrolled duplication. Once a customer receives a print file, they can theoretically reproduce the part infinitely – resulting in lost licensing revenue for IP owners. The question is: How do we ensure controlled print quantities and protect IP rights?
Today, even when using approved print files and standardized materials, 3D printing results can vary significantly. Unlike traditional manufacturing, additive processes lack formalized quality assurance to ensure repeatability and compliance with OE (Original Equipment) standards. Establishing such a process is critical for widespread adoption.
Operating a 3D printer is still relatively complex today and require technical expertise from the user. Not everyone can print the part they need at the moment just like that. There is therefore no optimal user experience for additive manufacturing.
Würth Additive Group plans to introduce the solution in several markets and to many different customers. This contrasts with the sheer number of 3D printer manufacturers and models, some of which work with completely different technologies and with different printing systems and applications.
The vision paints the big picture, but at the beginning there was a lack of elaborate business cases on how Digital Inventory Services could be used profitably. There was also a lack of concise marketing material to sell the solution within the Würth Group and later to the first pilot customers.
During the 3-month product discovery phase, we focused the vision into a structured, actionable plan by defining business cases, conducting extensive user research, designing first click dummies, and creating an initial system architecture that addressed key challenges. We also supported the Additive Group in presenting the well-thought-out concept in a clear way, not only to get the Würth Group's go-ahead, but also to get the first pilot customers on board.
Würth Digital Inventory Services
To prevent unauthorized duplication, the system encrypts print files before sending them to the 3D printer. The printer remains networked with the system via IoT, ensuring each part is printed only in authorized quantities while tracking production for compliance and licensing. This not only makes the parts licensable, it also creates a completely new sales channel for IP owners.
In order to ensure the OE quality standards of the parts, we integrated a multi-stage quality assurance process. This consists of a combination of real-time print monitoring, validation of print settings and strict quality checks after each print. The user is guided step by step and complete quality documentation is created - an element that was previously completely lacking in additive manufacturing.
We placed the user experience (UX) at the heart of the solution. Through intensive interviews with experienced 3D printing users, on-site visits and usability tests, we designed a comprehensive user journey that forms the basis of the intuitive user interface. The result is an application that takes users by the hand and guides them through the entire process, making 3D printing accessible even to non-technical users.
For maximum flexibility of use, we have developed an open API that makes it possible to integrate various printer systems into the application. The system is also cloud-based and scalable, so it can be customized for a wide range of customers and printers. This means that the solution is future-proof and can be expanded to serve new markets and technologies as required.
By using IoT technology, modern security mechanisms, a scalable cloud architecture and intuitive usability, we were able to support the Würth Additive Group in transforming its product vision of Digital Inventory Services into a value-adding solution.
With an active sales pipeline and engaged pilot customers, early traction demonstrates strong market potential for Digital Inventory Services. The solution not only offers new monetization opportunities but also addresses key industry challenges: IP protection, quality control, seamless integration with diverse 3D printing technologies, and a more user-friendly printing experience.
We have thus laid the technological foundation for the vision of leadership in digital inventory management - what follows is the mammoth task of integrating this technology into the established processes of the supply chain. The advantages are obvious: lower warehousing costs, lower transportation costs, lower CO2 emissions. In short: the (r)evolution of the supply chain.