Machine tool manufacturer DMG MORI has acquired a stake in digital manufacturing platform up2parts. The startup from Weiden in Germany’s Upper Palatinate region specializes in AI-based geometric work piece analysis. With its online configurator of the same name, the young software company can provide contract manufacturing for individual metal and plastic work pieces relatively quickly and easily using 3D printing, sheet metal processing (from next year), and even conventional machining.

This is where DMG MORI turning and milling machines come in. The company sees this strategic stake as an opportunity “to acquire important know-how in the field of digitized manufacturing processes”, specifically cloud-based AI applications for mechanical engineering and the manufacturing industry. For DMG MORI, this could enable faster and simpler generation of price calculations for small and very small batch sizes, as well as the more efficient creation of work plans and additional approaches to automation. In turn, up2parts hopes DMG MORI’s stake will give it access to the international market and facilitate agile growth – talk is of 50 new jobs . However, the antitrust authorities still need to approve the stake.

up2parts was created by BAM GmbH , the winner of the Digital Champions Award in the ‘South Region ’ in 2018. Preparations are currently underway for the competition final in Cologne, where this year’s winners will be announced on October 29 at Digital X 2019 .