In the new technology hall in Dresden, researchers have brought together various technologies for additive manufacturing. These include a so-called Q20plus from the manufacturer Arcam in Sweden, this year’s partner country of the HANNOVER MESSE: according to the IFAM , the system has the largest space currently available for selective electron beam melting. In addition, the new center has machines for filament and template printing and three-dimensional screen printing. The institute now says that it is able to offer industry a range of development services “from the powder to the component”. At its Bremen site, the additive manufacturing processes of metal binder jetting and laser beam melting are also included in the portfolio.

According to a survey by the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA), 3D component printing or additive manufacturing was already playing a part in almost half of all companies last year. It reports that both plastic and metal manufacturing were rapidly increasing in importance.