Kaizen PLM Leads the Way in Reverse Engineering & 3D Printing at the Ministry of Defence Hackathon
Kaizen PLM, alongside our partners at Digital Manufacturing Centre (DMC), Siemens Digital Industries Software, and Babcock (Marine sector) recently competed in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Additive Manufacturing Hackathon. Up against 10 other teams, we had just 28 hours to reverse engineer, redesign, optimise, and remanufacture critical MOD components—all while improving weight, cost, and performance.
The Challenge: Reverse Engineering Under Pressure
Kaizen PLM, alongside our partners at Digital Manufacturing Centre (DMC), Siemens Digital Industries Software, and Babcock - Marine sector, recently competed in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Additive Manufacturing Hackathon. Up against 10 other teams, we had just 28 hours to reverse engineer, redesign, optimise, and remanufacture critical MOD components—all while improving weight, cost, and performance.
This was no ordinary engineering challenge. The competition tested rapid digital workflows, secure data sharing, and advanced manufacturing techniques—all crucial for modern defence applications.
How We Won: NX and the Power of Digital Engineering with a dash of expertise.
To meet the challenge, Kaizen PLM leveraged Siemens NX for a seamless digital workflow
We quickly captured high-precision 3D scan data of the original components, using NX to create accurate digital models with its polygon modelling and reverse engineering tools.
We re-engineered the parts for better lightweighting, durability, and cost-effectiveness.
Our validated designs were rapidly 3D printed at the DMC facility and successfully presented to the MOD—all within the tight 28-hour deadline.
The Results: A Winning Formula
The outcome? Kaizen PLM and our partners won the challenge! This achievement showcased:
🚀 The power of digital connectivity from design to manufacture
🔧 The capabilities of Siemens NX for high-speed, high-precision engineering
🔄 The future of rapid, secure, and optimised defence manufacturing
This competition proved what’s possible when cutting-edge software, expert engineering, and collaborative teamwork come together. NX and Kaizen PLM are at the forefront of transforming engineering for the defence sector—and beyond.
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