ZF (also known as ZF Group; ZF = “Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen”), one of the world’s leading technology companies, is taking a revolutionary step in the world of additive manufacturing (AM): With the newly launched innovative B2B manufacturing and procurement software from startup 3D Spark, the company will offer a groundbreaking solution that simplifies the manufacturing process through 3D printing technologies and makes it accessible to everyone – from beginners to experts. The platform promises to halve the time required for feasibility studies and cost estimates while increasing accuracy by 25 per cent. The AI from B2B SaaS startup 3D Spark automates the determination of the most suitable manufacturing process, the preparation of quotations and the preparation of requests for quotations. Leading industrial companies such as Alstom, Deutsche Bahn, ZF Friedrichshafen and Germany’s No. 1 tourist attraction, Miniatur Wunderland, are already among the licence customers and underline the growth potential and market relevance of the software solution. Startup-Port founding consultant Felix Krieg has been supporting the startup with advice and assistance for over three years
With its investment in additive manufacturing (AM), ZF wants to emphasise the company’s ambition to be at the forefront of innovation and manufacturing efficiency. The new 3D Spark platform offers significant benefits, including reduced costs, lead times and CO2 emissions. This advance not only helps to increase the resilience of the supply chain, but also enables the rapid production of prototypes, moulds, spare parts and series products.
From enquiry to quotation: a seamless experience
The 3D Spark platform provides an integrated solution for the entire part ordering process from enquiry to quotation. This enables employees to gain immediate insight into the suitability of each CAD design in terms of manufacturability, optimisation opportunities, cost breakdown and carbon emissions for each internal production option. This includes all industrially relevant AM technologies for polymer, metal and ceramics, as well as milling, turning, metal and injection moulding, enabling a digital twin of your own factory.
Increasing efficiency and reliability
The introduction of 3D Spark at ZF has led to an impressive increase in efficiency. The time needed to analyse the manufacturability of parts and prepare quotations has been reduced by 50 percent. At the same time, the accuracy and reliability of processes has improved by 25 per cent, enabling ZF to reliably deliver high-quality components with improved performance to its customers.
Accessibility and empowerment for all employees
Dr Ignacio Lobo-Casanova, Head of SMART Lightweight Process Technologies at ZF, emphasises the low-threshold nature of the platform: “Requesting a component via 3D Spark is intuitive and efficient. What’s more, this self-service is designed for everyone, not just AM experts, making these cutting-edge technologies accessible to all ZF employees.” His colleague Marcel Ahlbrand from Chassis Components Pre-Development, added: “We need to give people the power to understand the cost and manufacturability of their parts without consulting experts and wasting their time, and that’s where 3D Spark helps us.”
Innovation through cooperation
The collaboration between ZF and the startup 3D Spark emphasises the strategic value of cooperation between established companies and agile innovators. Through this cooperation, ZF can drive disruptive innovation and secure its market leadership. The partnership offers new ways to remain competitive in the fast-paced world of digital manufacturing.
Further information can be found in the detailed case study.
About ZF:
ZF (also known as ZF Group; ZF = “Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen”) is a global technology company that supplies systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and industrial technology, enabling the next generation of mobility. ZF enables vehicles to see, think and act. In the four technology fields of Vehicle Motion Control, Integrated Safety, Automated Driving and Electromobility, ZF offers comprehensive product and software solutions for established vehicle manufacturers and emerging transport and mobility service providers. ZF electrifies a wide range of vehicle types. With its products, the company helps to reduce emissions, protect the climate and enable safe mobility.
About 3D Spark:
3D Spark’s mission is to maximise efficiency and minimise waste of resources in industrial production. The company offers an innovative, web-based, AI B2B SaaS solution. Originally tailored to industrial 3D printing and now extended to casting, injection moulding, CNC and more, the software optimises manufacturing, purchasing and sales processes. By analysing 3D CAD and 2D data, the platform identifies the cheapest, fastest and most sustainable manufacturing process. It also automates the creation of quotations and facilitates well-founded make-or-buy decisions. In this way, 3D Spark increases production efficiency and sustainability for its customers.
