The 3DEXPERIENCE Forum took place on May 28, 2024. This exceptional event provided actionable insights into the potential of “Generative Experiences” and virtual twins as drivers of sustainable performance and innovation. This article revisits the highlights of a captivating day.
“Companies worldwide are focused on sovereignty, energy and sustainability. Those were the words of Olivier Ribet, Dassault Systèmes’ Executive Vice President, Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA). “Today’s use of AI makes it possible to engineer new concepts, new models and new molecules – all in a generative, spontaneous way. When combined, modeling, data science and virtualization pave the way for remarkable developments.”
With its focus on “Generative Experiences,” the 3DEXPERIENCE Forum 2024 offered fresh perspective on the use of data, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cutting-edge virtual technologies in an effort to enhance innovation, creation and performance in industries across the board.
Philippe Besse, Managing Director EUROWEST, Dassault Systèmes, kick-started the day with the following message: “The last 3DEXPERIENCE FORUM held in 2022 highlighted the theme of transformation. The challenges at the time – digital transformation, energy and the environment – are even more pressing today. Accelerating these transformations is essential.” At the 3DEXPERIENCE Forum companies explore how to push the traditional boundaries of design, production and collaboration to drive sustainable innovation, growth and performance.
The event featured testimonies from leaders in sectors ranging from automotive, transport and mobility, craftsmanship, food industry and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) as well as defense and nuclear. The 3DEXPERIENCE Forum 2024 also included workshops and immersive playground areas, networking and discussion groups. Below we dive into the key takeaways from the plenary session testimonies.
Revolutionizing the automobile with Renault Group
Since 2021, Renault Group has considerably invested to integrate the electric value chain while embarking on company-wide digitalization. Powered by Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform, the “Renaulution Virtual Twin” initiative seeks to elevate competitiveness and accelerate the launch of new car models. The program works toward reducing development costs by 40% and a 7% annual increase in productivity. As a result, cars are now developed in 3 years instead of 4, while the future Twingo model will be developed in just 2 years!
The Cloud plays a pivotal role in accelerating development, with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform deployed for design, systems, Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) throughout the company. The “Renaulution Virtual Twin” initiative involves 5,500 users over the world, with 1,800 built-in car models and more than 500,000 components. All company functions must be centered around the same digital backbone, targeting 19,000 users within 3 years. Thanks to Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), new features are tested prior to rollout with all new projects now integrated into the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. The 70,000 preordered Renault 5 models (R5) are a testament to the success of this program. Renault Group CTO, Gilles Le Borgne, highlighted the initiative’s far-reaching transformation which delivers lasting impact: “Supported by the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, the Renaulution Virtual Twin initiative is now reaching its full potential.”
Decarbonizing electricity through modular nuclear reactors
NAAREA aspires to revolutionize the energy sector. The company is building a modular reactor (XAMR) aimed at generating clean, controllable and affordable energy for users. This reactor, intended to recycle used nuclear fuel, is part of an “Energy-as-a-Service” approach that addresses the entire life cycle, from design to dismantling. The XAMR, housed in a container, frees users from the speculative energy market and provides a safer and more eco-efficient solution. XAMR is designed to co-generate and capture CO2, for a positive environmental impact. With its 80 MW thermal production capacity, XAMR can supply electricity to 100,000 inhabitants, producing 5,700 tons of hydrogen and meeting 90% of industrial needs. NAAREA faces significant technological and organizational challenges, particularly in recruitment and compliance with safety standards. The company leverages Dassault Systèmes’ virtual twin technology to accelerate design, simulation, and ensure complete process traceability—a valuable asset for regulatory authorities. This virtual twin is the first of its kind in civil nuclear technology.
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform plays a key role in NAAREA’s journey, serving as a collaboration convergence point with universal access to the same objects and data. It opens up a new way of thinking and working, enabling us to reinvent the future,” explained David Briggs, Senior Executive Leader, NAAREA. XAMR is scheduled for launch in 2030, with a physical prototype to be expected by late 2027. David Briggs emphasized the importance of the virtual twin in accelerating development and the value of traceability provided by the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. He also highlighted the platform’s central role as a collaborative tool, a new approach to work within the company. “For our XAMR project, Dassault Systèmes’ virtual twin has acted as an accelerator in various phases: from design to system engineering simulations… The platform’s complete process traceability is truly invaluable for safety authorities.”
When craftsmanship goes digital
S-Concept is a craftsmanship company specializing in the design and manufacture of furniture and various objects. Its founder, Lucas Saden, opted for 3D modeling technologies to optimize the creative process. Lucas Saden spoke at the 3DEXPERIENCE FORUM 2024, underscoring the importance of 3D in expressing his ideas and designing innovative products as exemplified by his mechanically adjustable table and a coffee table that was entirely digitally designed. S-Concept uses Dassault Systèmes’ SOLIDWORKS software to create meticulous designs and complex assemblies, utilizing the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to oversee product lifecycle management. This approach allows S-Concept to save time and increase efficiency, while ensuring the durability and scalability of products.
Furthermore, the 3DEXPERIENCE platforms’ built-in manufacturing simulation helps to pinpoint and resolve potential problems at an early stage, reducing mistakes and cutting production costs. Integrating 3D technology has allowed for S-Concept to optimize production while preserving its artisanal identity. The company’s goal is to grow while staying true to its values: offering handmade, accessible, durable, and functional products. “Thanks to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform and its simulation capabilities, our creative process puts prevention first: saving time and materials in addition to minimizing the margin for error, to offer digitally developed handcrafted products that are affordable, sustainable and functional. With the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, my only limits are those of my own creativity!” expressed Lucas Saden.
Reinventing food tech with Bel
Bel has risen to the challenge of merging profitability and sustainability to invent the food of the future. Known for its products such as “La Vache qui rit” (“The Laughing Cow”), Bel strives to produce more natural foods and explore new sources of proteins. To achieve this, the company has digitalized its processes and engaged its 12,000 foodservice operators. Dassault Systèmes, a key partner in this transformation, supports the entity in developing the food of the future, emphasizing speed, efficiency and quality in delivery. Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform enables Bel to simplify complexity by providing the right information to the right person at the right time. This approach improves company responsiveness and turnaround times within local infrastructures. Dassault Systèmes’ expertise in adapting solutions to the food industry is invaluable to Bel. One of the key elements of the project is the deployment of an Environmental Management System (EMS) to automate processes and increase productivity and efficiency.
Moreover, Bel uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to connect its machines in a simple, fast, and cost-effective manner, thereby eliminating the boundaries between Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT). Product lifecycle management, from design to manufacturing, is integrated into the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, thereby reducing time to market. Leveraging 2,500-plus applications, Bel aims to streamline its tools and enable end-to-end connectivity. Bel’s Group Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer, Elisabeth Ellison-Davis, highlighted a shared commitment with Dassault Systèmes to promote sustainability, with the need for collaboration to produce innovative solutions. The agri-foods group’s Executive Vice-President operations, Stéphane Dupays, concluded the presentation with an inspiring message: “My advice regarding the transformation challenges? Start, implement, learn, and do… we can no longer wait, we must act now!”. A call to action that resonated with the attending audience!
Innovating for sovereignty via France’s leading defense stakeholders
During the 3DEXPERIENCE Forum 2024, a roundtable gathered key players in the French defense sector: KNDS France, Airbus Defence & Space, Dassault Aviation and Naval Group. Its purpose: to assess the importance of digital technologies in safeguarding national sovereignty and the competitiveness of the defense industry. Speakers highlighted industry-wide challenges including the expansion of operations, international competition and the need to modernize equipment. They also emphasized digital technologies’ critical role in transforming defense, particularly in optimizing processes, reducing lead times and improving competitiveness. Notable examples included Airbus’ Digital Design, Manufacturing & Services (DDMS) approach and Naval Group’s digital twin for drones. Speakers also highlighted European collaborations such as Eurodrone. Data security and European certification of military information were identified as major issues for which Dassault Systèmes is seen as a strategic partner to assist defense stakeholders as they expedite their digital transformation. “We need a combat cloud that enables military operators to understand, decide, reconfigure, and adapt. This involves creating an interactive system amongst different stakeholders to enhance operational efficiency and coordination,” commented Lionel Rouby, Airbus Defence and Space.
Combining expertise for innovation via digital technologies
Valéo, an international company specializing in the design, production, and sale of components, integrated systems, and modules for the automotive industry, has embarked on an extensive digital transformation project initiated by the Move Up program, spanning from 2022 to 2025. Move Up seeks to build a Group that is technologically stronger and strategically positioned, accelerating in electrification. With 110,000 employees, 200 facilities and 80 development centers spread across its three divisions (Brain, Light and Power), Valéo faced siloed operations, making traceability difficult. To address this challenge and to reduce development costs, the company prioritized digital continuity by interconnecting its tools via Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
“We had to ensure digital continuity to reduce our development costs. For this, we needed to interconnect our tools.
Frank Barral, Group R&D Digital Transformation Programs Director, Valéo
The 3DEXPERIENCE platform enabled us to save a considerable amount of time”
This ambitious transformation required a team of cross-functional experts to define the required responsibilities and validate solutions as well as an architecture team to consolidate specifications. “The 3DEXPERIENCE platform enabled Valéo to save considerable time by interconnecting tools and enhancing collaborative workflows,” said Frank Barral, Group R&D Digital Transformation Programs Director. Drawing on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform’s capabilities, the manufacturer successfully deployed solutions for 15,000 project management (PM) users, 12,000 application lifecycle management (ALM) users and 1,000 systems engineering users. This digital transformation enabled the company to break down silos, improve traceability and reduce development costs.
Inventing future mobility, day in, day out
French manufacturer, Milla Group, is redefining the mobility landscape with its autonomous shuttles that are transforming shared mobility. The company, consisting of two subsidiaries: ISFM for design purposes and Beta Epsilon which manufactures mini-cars capable of transporting at least 22 people. The objective is clear, to reduce road traffic while improving workplace accessibility and tackling solo car-dependency.
Safety is one of Milla Group’s top priorities, particularly regarding autonomous vehicles and their connectivity. In collaboration with Dassault Systèmes, Milla Group built virtual twins for shuttles and manufacturing sites. This strategy allows for the simulation and optimization of processes, in turn ensuring safety and reliability of the vehicles.
Milla Group has already developed 30 varieties of autonomous shuttles in 20 different services, within France and around the world. Furthermore, SNCF selectedthe company to work on an ultra-light vehicle that can travel by rail and road. By 2030, Milla Group aims to produce 1,000 vehicles per year. Visiativ, a partner of Dassault Systèmes, supports , Milla Group in implementing its virtual twin, including the creation of a virtual factory. This collaboration strengthens Milla Group’s position as a decisive stakeholder in shaping the future of mobility and protecting France’s sovereignty in the public transportation sector. “As a pioneer in new mobility, the 3DEXPERIENCE platform was the obvious choice from day one! By deploying a digital twin of our shuttle and manufacturing site, we were able to run 30 shuttles in 2019, with 20 services currently being deployed, and by end-2023, we anticipate having 50 fully operational services in France and worldwide” commented Frédéric Mathis, CEO, Milla Group.
Conclusion
The 3DEXPERIENCE Forum 2024 demonstrated that digital transformation is essential for companies of all sizes and sectors. This event is not only intended for large companies, but for all entities – regardless of size or industry. As such, the forum welcomed a wide range of companies, showcasing the diversity of players active during the playground sessions and discussion groups. This truly captures the essence of the 3DEXPERIENCE Forum!
Guided by “Generative Experiences,” industries are undergoing a transformation that combines innovation, performance and sustainability. Positioned front and center, Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform is a key enabler of this transformation, deploying groundbreaking solutions to address today’s and tomorrow’s challenges.
Testimonies from Dassault Systèmes’ clients illustrated how the 3DEXPERIENCE Forum 2024 is propelling digital transformation across various industries. Whether in automotive design, digital craftsmanship, nuclear energy, food or defense, digital transformation is the driving force behind companies’ innovation and their competitive edge.
Stay tuned for our next article featuring insights into the 3DEXPERIENCE Forum 2024, with in-depth analysis of the playground’s best-in-class workshops and immersive experiences.
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What is the 3DEXPERIENCE Forum Eurowest ?
The 3DEXPERIENCE Forum Eurowest is a seminal conference held every two years, bringing together decision-makers from R&D, innovation, engineering, design, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), production, supply chain and transformation. It serves as a gathering for leaders from wide-ranging sectors and multi-sized companies.
This exceptional event features inspiring testimonies during plenary sessions, an array of topic-focused workshops, immersive spaces (Playground) and ample networking opportunities. This year’s forum centered on “Generative Experiences” and how virtual twins, data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are driving forward sustainable performance and innovation.