Omniplus, Daimler Buses’ service brand, announced a new spare parts licence management system that will allow Mercedes-Benz and Setra bus/tour coach owners to 3D print spare parts in the near future.
Customers will only need a certified 3D printer, a one-time registration process, and a licence for the required part in the desired quantity to create their own “mini parts factory” for the bus/tour coach company. Omniplus is paving the way for the entire automotive industry with this.
New Omniplus 3D Printing License Shop
Daimler Buses is revolutionising its parts service under the Omniplus service brand to keep its buses and touring coaches running at all times with minimal downtime and rapid availability of spare parts. This will be made possible by the new 3D printing licence shop, which will eliminate the complicated ordering process, part shipment, and associated waiting time. The entire process will be adaptable, with internal 3D printed spare parts available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Omniplus customers will be able to 3D print spare parts beginning in June of this year. To begin, only 100 of the more than 1,500 different 3D printable components will be available, but more will be added as digital licences over time.
The service is similar to streaming services or media libraries in that record collections and fixed airtimes are no longer necessary and anyone can enjoy their favourite show or music at any time and from any location.
3D Print Spare Parts
Bus/tour bus companies must complete a one-time registration process with their 3D printers at the 3D Printing License eShop. Customers are only shown parts that are available for or compatible with their own printer at the shop. The launch was carried out in collaboration with Farsoon Technologies, a manufacturer of industrial 3D printers. More 3D printer providers will be added gradually over time. Following that, customers purchase an encrypted 3D printing licence for the component they currently require in the desired quantity, which they can then print within their own business. After successfully printing the component part, the licence expires without saving the data.
Customers can also notify their nearest Omniplus service partner about their needs. The latter can then obtain the necessary licence and handle the printing. The encryption technology of “Wibu Systems” is used to ensure that the data is protected throughout the process and that the ordered quantity is met.
Because of the data and individual building instructions, the digital twin at the digital warehouse, as well as the provision of encrypted 3D printing licences, spare parts can be made available globally in the shortest possible time and exactly where they are currently required. The advantages are obvious: faster part availability, shorter supply chains, and cost savings.
Virtual Warehouse
Daimler Buses is a leader in the automotive industry when it comes to industrial 3D printing. Since 2016, the company has been focusing on the potential of digital production technology. Meanwhile, the Omniplus service brand has designated approximately 40,000 bus/tour coach spare parts from the Mercedes-Benz and Setra brands as 3D printing compatible. Omniplus is initially focusing on over 7,000 parts that will be gradually digitised. This will result in the creation of a kind of digital warehouse that will be constantly expanded. It includes both frequently used spare parts and less frequently used spare parts for special customer requests. The virtual warehouse serves as the foundation for 3D printing licence management, which will further improve spare part availability.
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