Alstom and 3D Spark extend partnership

Alstom, one of the world’s largest suppliers of rail technologies, and 3D Spark, a B2B manufacturing and procurement software company, have announced the extension of their partnership for three years. This collaboration has already resulted in savings of €15 million, a reduction in delivery times of 2,600 months and an 86% reduction in purchasing costs, setting new standards in manufacturing and procurement in the rail sector.

By using advanced algorithms and AI-driven tools, Alstom was able to drive its “Design To Print” initiative. The implementation of the 3D Spark solution resulted in an 80% time saving in manufacturability verification and quotation generation, which accelerated production processes and improved machine capacity utilization.

On the purchasing side, Alstom aims to reduce purchasing costs by 86% by minimizing unnecessary requests for quotations. 3D Spark’s software helps evaluate internal manufacturability and manufacturing costs against purchase prices and delivery times. When purchasing is more favorable, 3D Spark’s “Supplier Panel” facilitates the selection of suitable suppliers by providing a complete list of all qualified Alstom suppliers.

A particular focus of this partnership is sustainability. A 3D Spark automatic carbon footprint calculation feature for each production option underlines Alstom’s commitment to sustainable production choices. The calculation covers various manufacturing technologies and helps Alstom to comply with EU directives.

Aurélien Fussel, 3D Printing Program Manager at Alstom, reflected on the partnership’s impact: “Our collaboration with 3D Spark has been a key factor in Alstom’s achievements in additive manufacturing and the success of our DesignToPrint program. This partnership not only supports our innovation goals but also participates in our commitment to sustainability and operational efficiency. We look forward to furthering our leadership in the industry and setting new benchmarks for excellence in digital manufacturing.”

Ruben Meuth, Co-founder, and CEO of 3D Spark GmbH said: “In an industry where trains endure up to 50 years on railway tracks, addressing spare parts and obsolescence challenges is paramount for reliability and punctuality. As leading rail operators request at least 10% of train parts to be 3D printable for digital warehousing and spare parts on demand, 3D Spark emerges as a pivotal solution provider in meeting this requirement and driving innovation. This three-year contract renewal with Alstom solidifies our shared vision for a sustainable digital manufacturing future in the railway sector.”