Dassault Systèmes and Xometry Partner to Revolutionize On-Demand Manufacturing with Seamless SOLIDWORKS & CATIA Integration

In a move set to significantly accelerate the concept-to-manufacturing process, Dassault Systèmes and Xometry announced a strategic partnership during the 3DEXPERIENCE World event in Nashville, Tennessee, prior to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This collaboration was designed to provide customers with a seamless, integrated pathway for part production, directly bridging the gap between design and manufacturing. More specifically, users of Dassault Systèmes’ industry-leading applications, SOLIDWORKS and CATIA, gained immediate and automatic access to real-time price quotes from Xometry, all facilitated through Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE Marketplace Make service. This integration marked a significant step forward in simplifying the manufacturing workflow. “We launched the MAKE Marketplace in 2018 to make it easy for customers to design and manufacture. Our partnership with Xometry takes this a step further,” explained Sébastien Massart, Head of Corporate Strategy for Dassault Systèmes, underscoring the evolution of their digital manufacturing ecosystem.

Xometry, a US-based innovator, was established seven years ago with a clear vision: to revolutionize on-demand manufacturing. From its inception, Xometry aimed to tackle two critical challenges within the industry. Firstly, it sought to offer fast, accessible, and user-friendly manufacturing solutions for product designers, engineers, and company purchasing managers. Secondly, it aimed to create an efficient network connecting machine shops and diverse manufacturing partners directly with customers in need of their services. Today, Xometry has rapidly expanded into a global leader in on-demand manufacturing, boasting an extensive network of over 5,000 manufacturing partners worldwide. This vast network is one of the largest globally, offering a comprehensive array of manufacturing technologies including injection molding, CNC machining, advanced 3D printing techniques, sheet metal fabrication, and much more, catering to a broad spectrum of industrial needs.

Xometry’s impressive growth trajectory is further highlighted by its financial milestones and strategic global expansion. In its last equity funding round in September, the company successfully secured an additional $75 million, bringing its total funding to a substantial $193 million. This significant investment underscores investor confidence in Xometry’s business model and its potential to shape the future of manufacturing. Beyond its strong domestic presence, Xometry has strategically expanded its reach internationally. A pivotal moment in this global strategy was the acquisition of the German company Shift in 2019, identified for its robust supply chain network. This acquisition allowed Xometry to swiftly establish a significant foothold in the European market. Today, Xometry Europe, headquartered in Munich, collaborates with over 2,000 manufacturing partners across various European countries, solidifying its position as a major player in the continent’s on-demand manufacturing landscape and enabling localized production capabilities.

The integration of the 3DEXPERIENCE Marketplace Make service directly into Dassault Systèmes’ leading applications like SOLIDWORKS and CATIA has profoundly transformed the role of engineers in the design-to-manufacturing workflow. Engineers are now empowered to take a more direct and influential role, focusing not only on the intricate shape and functionality of a prototype but also on the immediate cost implications of producing it. This real-time feedback loop is revolutionary. Traditionally, sourcing manufacturing price quotes from various service providers could involve navigating multiple web interfaces and enduring a time-consuming process that often required a dozen clicks and significant delays. Now, with SOLIDWORKS and CATIA, this critical step occurs instantaneously with a single click, dramatically streamlining the process and fostering an agile design environment. Dmitry Kafidov, Managing Director of Xometry Europe, emphasized the strategic alignment: “Dassault Systèmes is the world leader in 3D design and engineering software, so when the company decided to create a marketplace to give its users direct access to manufacturing services providers, we thought it was the right place for us to be.” This synergy allows engineers to make informed decisions earlier in the design cycle, optimizing both design for manufacturability (DfM) and cost efficiency.

This seamless integration means that engineers can instantly view Xometry and Xometry Europe price quotes directly on their screens, within the context of their active design projects. With just a click, they can initiate the manufacturing process. This efficiency is paired with flexibility, as users retain the crucial option to obtain instant or manual quotes from the extensive network of other qualified 3DEXPERIENCE Marketplace Make suppliers. In fact, the 3DEXPERIENCE Marketplace Make provides unparalleled access to a further 180+ vetted service providers worldwide, covering a vast spectrum of manufacturing technologies. These include advanced 3D printing (additive manufacturing), precision CNC Machining, intricate Sheet Metal fabrication, various Cutting processes, Injection Molding, and many other specialized services. This comprehensive access ensures that users can always find the most suitable and cost-effective manufacturing solution for their specific project requirements, from rapid prototyping to full-scale production runs.

While bridging the gap between virtual designs and real-world parts is a primary benefit for engineers and designers, the decision to engage with a service provider extends beyond just convenience. In the rapidly evolving additive manufacturing (AM) industry, service providers command a significant and growing share of the market. A key insight from EY’s 2019 study on the state of 3D printing revealed a remarkable trend: a substantial increase in the percentage of companies leveraging service providers for the design and production of their AM parts. This percentage more than tripled, rising from 26% in 2016 to 26% in 2019, with projections indicating it would reach 32% by 2022. EY’s research identifies three main compelling reasons why organizations opt to collaborate with external service providers for their additive manufacturing needs, showcasing the strategic value these partnerships bring to businesses of all sizes and at various stages of their AM journey.

The first and most significant reason highlighted by the EY study is the avoidance of substantial initial investment. Companies at the nascent stages of their AM journey are often hesitant to commit significant capital to industrial systems or develop in-house capabilities before fully understanding the specific applications and overall impact of 3D printing on their operations. A staggering 81% of respondents in the study reported that they would work with service providers precisely to circumvent the heavy financial outlay associated with investing in their own AM systems, which includes not just the printers but also post-processing equipment, facility upgrades, and specialized training. Secondly, engaging with a service provider inherently grants access to a diverse array of advanced AM technologies. The additive manufacturing landscape is characterized by rapid innovation, with new materials and printing processes constantly emerging. For companies wishing to explore different applications or produce low-volume parts using various technologies (e.g., SLA, SLS, FDM, DMLS), it is far more cost-effective to utilize a provider’s existing technology and specialized skills rather than investing in multiple systems themselves. This democratizes access to cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities. Finally, service providers offer the distinct advantage of local production capabilities. Their distributed networks mean they can produce parts closer to the end customers, leading to faster lead times, reduced shipping costs, and a more resilient supply chain. This geographical proximity is a crucial driver behind the burgeoning success of online 3D printing services, enhancing agility and responsiveness in manufacturing and logistics. These factors collectively make service providers an indispensable resource for companies looking to harness the power of additive manufacturing without incurring prohibitive costs or risks.

The versatility and efficiency offered by the 3DEXPERIENCE Marketplace Make service, amplified by the Xometry partnership, address a wide range of manufacturing needs. Dmitry Kafidov further elaborated on the types of projects typically seen through this platform: “We mostly see requests for rapid prototyping projects and small to medium quantities. The buyers range from individuals to midsize companies.” This observation highlights the platform’s capacity to serve diverse clientele, from independent innovators requiring quick iterations to growing businesses scaling their production. This agile approach to manufacturing, facilitated by instant quoting and a vast network of providers, is fundamentally transforming how products are brought to market, fostering greater innovation and responsiveness. By significantly reducing the barriers to access advanced manufacturing, this collaboration empowers a broader spectrum of designers and engineers, ensuring that revolutionary ideas can move from concept to tangible reality with unprecedented speed and efficiency. For more in-depth information about Dassault Systèmes’ comprehensive offerings and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, you can explore their official website HERE.

The partnership between Dassault Systèmes and Xometry represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of digital manufacturing, enabling seamless integration from design to production. What are your thoughts on how this collaboration will impact the future of engineering and on-demand manufacturing? We invite you to share your insights in a comment below or join the conversation on our Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages! Don’t miss out on the latest advancements in 3D printing and digital fabrication; sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here to get the most recent news delivered straight to your inbox!

*Thumbnail photo credits: Dassault Systèmes