Siemens PLM Software announced that it has entered into a partnership with automotive manufacturer Local Motors. The two companies plan to join forces to develop large-scale 3D-printed vehicles.

Through this partnership, Siemens PLM Software's technology will be combined with Local Motors' leadership in the automotive sector using co-created and 3D printed methods, such as the process known as Direct Digital Manufacturing (DDM).

Based on a shared vision for the future of product development, Local Motors looks forward to enhancing the productivity of the company's Local Motors (LM) Lab program. To this end, it plans to leverage Siemens' expertise in the field of digital twins. On the other hand, Siemens expects to strengthen its support capabilities for the 3D printing sector by reinforcing its Digital Enterprise Software Suite.



With this new partnership, Local Motors expands its use of Solid Edge, a mainstream CAD application from Siemens PLM Software that it has used for years, and adds the use of NX software, a comprehensive CAD/CAM/CAE integrated solution, and the Fibersim portfolio included in composite engineering software.

Local Motors and related communities have expanded the use of Siemens' digital enterprise software suite, enabling them to apply digital twin methods to product design and direct digital manufacturing (DDM), thereby improving productivity and quality.

Siemens' digital twin software technology is characterized by creating virtual models that accurately represent the form, technology, and performance of products and production systems, thereby improving design and actual production. Based on high realism, digital twins enable engineers to test product functions and manufacturing processes in a virtual world to predict and optimize performance in the physical world.

“Siemens recognizes the growing importance of additive manufacturing and 3D printing in the global manufacturing industry, and against this backdrop, we are pleased to strengthen our collaboration with innovative companies like Local Motors that lead large-scale 3D printing manufacturing methods.” "We expect that through close cooperation between the two companies, we can achieve technological advancements and help all manufacturing companies achieve innovation more easily," he said.

Jay Rogers, CEO of Local Motors, said, “Local Motors developed the world’s first co-created and 3D-printed vehicles. The LM Lab program provides creators with a way to advance future transportation by creating new technologies both online and offline. LM Lab is open to everyone and helps create new technologies needed by the world through ingenious ideas. While our primary goal is to develop cars, LM Lab is a place where the community can advance any technology.”