Siemens 2013 Annual Report Download - page 57

Siemens has created a standardized process for automating
the manufacture of prosthetics. In your opinion, what’s the
biggest challenge at this interface with medical engineering ?
Professor Denkena : I’d say it’s probably cost. Healthcare solutions have to be
affordable. And from a technology point of view, it’s extremely difficult to
combine high quality, reliability and low cost when manufacturing only one
customized product or a few products of a particular type.
What role do you think the individualized mass production
of prosthetics will play in the future ? And how would you
assess their market potential ?
Professor Denkena : Our whole society is aging. What’s more, many people want
to remain mobile and active as they grow older. That’s why implants can
enhance the quality of life by lasting longer and fitting better. If you can get
the cost-benefit ratio right, Siemens’ approach has excellent market potential.
But that means the process chain has to be automated
from end to end. What are the obstacles here ?
Professor Denkena : The problems are usually at the interfaces – from product
design, simulation and planning to the operation or programming of the
machine tools to the actual production. Siemens maps end-to-end process
chains for its products. And in my opinion that’s a key prerequisite for success.
One of your current research projects focuses on the
production and implantation of patient-specific prosthetics.
What’s your vision ?
Professor Denkena : Our vision is to implement production processes directly on
site – that is, we want to precisely manufacture components under sterile
conditions as close as possible to the operating room – when, for example, an
implant has to be replaced or a tumor removed. You only see what the situa-
tion really is when an operation is underway. Siemens is on the right track –
but our ultimate goal is to manufacture components very quickly right where
they’re needed.
How long do you think it will be before that happens ?
Professor Denkena : Unfortunately, these things always take longer than they
should. That’s been our experience anyway. Regulatory approval always plays
a big role in the healthcare field. So, I wouldn’t be surprised if it took at least
ten years. I hope it won’t take that long but it’s difficult to make predictions.
In any event, I’m convinced that Siemens has made a very important advance
since the process you’ve developed may provide many patients with better
prosthetics and, thus, enhance their quality of life.
 – Professor Berend Denkena has
headed the Institute of Pro duction
Engineering and Machine Tools
at the Centre for Production
Technology at Leibniz University
in Hanover, Germany, since .
The activities of the institute’s
roughly  researchers focus on
production processes, mechatronic
components and production plan-
ning and organization.
 – A machine tool controlled
by a Siemens SINUMERIK system
produces an implant.
1
2