3Diligent introduces new consulting division to support Industry 4.0 transition

Digital manufacturing firm 3Diligent this week launched a new consulting division—3Diligent Consulting—that will collaborate with and support manufacturing companies in their transition to Industry 4.0.
3Diligent Consulting will provide strategic guidance to manufacturing businesses seeking to gain a competitive edge in the industrial market through advanced manufacturing processes, such as additive manufacturing, CNC machining and other robotic fabrication platforms. If properly leveraged, these technologies—as well as new materials—can revolutionize global supply chains, ushering in Industry 4.0.
3Diligent’s new consulting division will reportedly combine on-the-ground manufacturing expertise with the pedigree of a top-five global management consulting firm. Cullen Hilkene, the CEO of 3Diligent and former CEO of Deloitte Consulting’s Strategy and Operations business, will be leading the new division.
“There are a number of companies delivering Industry 4.0 consulting services, but none have the unique perspective of actually delivering parts across dozens of additive processes,” said Hilkene. “Combining 3Diligent’s hands-on experience with the rigorous training I gained delivering consulting engagements at Deloitte and am imparting to our consulting team, we are able to deliver our clients an unmatched value proposition.”
3Diligent Consulting has divided its services into two main categories: Strategic Advisory Services for Industry 4.0 and Design Advisory Services. The former will help clients to form strategies in adopting and implementing Industry 4.0 technologies. A key element of this will be identifying ways in which technologies such as 3D printing can be incorporated within the company to improve supply chain and broader operations. These consulting services will focus on a range of elements, from high level additive strategies or supply chain strategies, to business case development, part identification for 3D printing, customer studies and more.
The 3Diligent Design Advisory Services, for their part, are focused on supporting clients in the development and design of components that are well suited for digital fabrication processes, such as AM. For a company that has worked primarily with traditional manufacturing processes, one of the biggest hurdles in adopting new techniques such as additive manufacturing is navigating a completely new design paradigm.
This service will therefore enable customers to leverage innovative design principles, such as topology optimization and generative/parametric design to create increasingly sophisticated and advanced parts. 3Diligent will also offer expert guidance in materials and process selection as part of its Design Advisory Services.
The new consulting division of 3Diligent is currently expanding its team and is seeking experienced applicants. It is based in El Segundo, near the Los Angeles International Airport and is initially focusing its business on the North American, and mostly West Coast, market.