After signing an MoU with Yamaichi Special Steel just last month, to bring it’s nTop software to Japan’s automotive industry, NYC-based software firm nTopology has now established a distribution partnership with NTT DATA XAM Technologies, the recently established AM division of Japanese system integration giant NTT DATA Corporation (a partly owned subsidiary of  Nippon Telegraph and Telephone).

Operational as of July 1st, 2020, NTT DATA XAM is a division dedicated to supplying metal AM production services and also an initiative to apply the NTT DATA Group’s digital technology to all processes of the AM value chain, including design, production, process management, and procurement, and accelerate its evolution. “We will utilize technology to stabilize quality and improve production efficiency,” the company said in a statement, “and support innovative manufacturing in the manufacturing industry. Going forward, we will expand our business through active alliances with leading companies, including overseas companies, and aim for a business scale of 10 billion yen in 2025.

NTT DATA now recognizes that advances in metal AM technology have made it possible to form extremely complex shapes while meeting appropriate quality standards. Major manufacturing companies are accelerating their investment in AM technology as one of the core areas of the digitalization of manufacturing processes.
The company has been developing an internal 3D printer business within its group companies and is engaged in a contract manufacturing business for high-strength parts. NTT DATA XAM aims to further expand its AM business by selling AM equipment (EOS metal and plastic AM systems, as well as DLyte post-processing systems), maintenance and contract manufacturing (via the AMbition program), as well as developing engineers through large-scale investment and software development.

The firm believes that the fusion of AI and IT will lead to dramatic business development and the deal with nTopology fits within this vision. In partnership with nTopology, NTT DATA XAM will develop next-generation engineering tools through sales and support of the nTop software, creating new added value and accelerating innovations through DfAM service and support.

Funded in large part by aerospace and defense giant Lockheed Martin, nTopology can be considered a strategic US resource to ensure design superiority in AM. The desire to share such resources with a key Asian ally such as Japan may be connected to rising tensions in the region.

“I am very pleased to be able to work with NTT DATA XAM Technologies. XAM supports end-to-end workflows.
We provide a comprehensive AM manufacturing solution. In addition to being an expert in the powder additive manufacturing process, they understand the importance of thoroughly examining and characterizing the incoming raw materials ((powder) coming into the facility as well as the final parts leaving their facilities. By adding to their digital design capabilities with nTop Platform, together, we will be able to substantially extend the capabilities of one of the leading additive manufacturing solutions providers by unblocking the limitations design software faces today. We look forward to the exciting products we’re able to create together.”