Areas of application
The high quality of 3D printed components and the now affordable 3D printing options allow the use of 3D printed parts in almost all industries:
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3D printing in all industries
3D printing in medical technology
Medical technology often requires soft, patient-specific components. For example, orthoses made of structurally stable PA12 and very soft TPU are used in SLS manufacturing. Adapted post-processing techniques such as smoothing and dyeing result in aesthetically pleasing components. In this context, the biocompatibility and skin tolerance of 3D-printed parts are very important. Silicones can also be 3D printed to achieve the best properties.
3D printing in plant engineering
In plant engineering, for example, plant feet, dampers, bellows and seals made of 3D-printed TPU are used.
3D printing in automotive technology
In automotive engineering, 3D printing competes with mass production processes. However, for quantities of up to 50,000 units, and depending on the component size, even up to 100,000, 3D printing offers more cost-effective production compared to the high tooling costs of injection molding.
3D printing in the architect's office
Using 3D printing (also called additive manufacturing), models and prototypes of architects’ designs can be 3D printed cost-effectively.
3D printing for drone construction
Weight is crucial not only for cars, but also for drones and aircraft. Using additive manufacturing processes, components can be 3D printed to suit the load and thus save material. This allows for lightweight construction using 3D printing.
3D printing in armaments
Industrial 3D printing was originally developed for the defense industry, for example, to enable the reproduction of spare parts for aircraft carriers by simply sending CAD data. Today, 3D printing is used for absorbent components on the outer skin of vehicles, for example.
3D printing in shipbuilding
Even though there are many ships, the overall demand for components in this area is still low. For this reason, 3D printing for shipbuilding, both metal and plastic, can be worthwhile.
3D printing on the railway
Deutsche Bahn is omnipresent, but compared to injection molding capacities, the components required by the railway are typically produced in smaller quantities. This is where 3D printing comes into play.
3D printing in robotics
Not only can a load-bearing structure be constructed using 3D printing, both in metal and plastic, but 3D-printed grippers can also be produced, e.g. from PA12 or TPU.
3D printing in all industries
3D printing in aircraft
In aircraft construction, 3D printed parts made of plastic (flame-retardant) and 3D printed parts made of metal are used
3D printing for prototypes
Prototypes or entry into small series production are the best ways to get started with 3D printing.
3D printing for outdoor use
3D-printed parts can do more than you think. They are UV-resistant, hydrolysis-resistant, flame-resistant, halogen-free, chemical-resistant, and tear-resistant. For this reason, industrially manufactured 3D-printed parts are ideal for outdoor use. This can be in the horticulture sector, but also in the construction and window manufacturing sectors.
3D printing in mechanical engineering
Inventorying spare parts for series production systems is expensive and time-consuming. 3D printing offers cost-effective ways to produce spare parts on demand.
3D printing in design (for shoes and midsoles)
Both textiles and accessories can be conceived and redesigned in a completely innovative way. In this context, textile manufacturers can also be brought back to Germany. 3D printing is made in Germany. Shoes, in particular, can be optimally adapted to the foot ergonomically with elastic 3D-printed structures.
3D printing in model making
Model making always requires customized designs. Powder-based additive manufacturing allows for the production of bionic, lightweight, yet stable structures. Elastic components, such as tires, can also be manufactured from TPU.
3D printing in series
3D printing of components is competitive with alternative manufacturing processes up to high volumes, and 3D printing is more cost-effective than injection molding, depending on the component size, up to approximately 100,000 pieces. The profitability of 3D-printed parts in series production can be further increased by exploiting the high design freedom and possibilities of 3D printing. For example, the implementation of hinges, springs, snap hooks, or other functional elements without the need for downstream assembly.
3D printing in electrical engineering
In addition to highly insulating properties, 3D-printed parts, depending on the material, also offer flame-retardant and halogen-free properties, as required in electrical engineering. Using reverse engineering, for example, connectors from a complex electrical installation can be reconstructed and efficiently reproduced using 3D printing.
Beautiful components from 3D printing
3D-printed parts are beautiful these days. Unlike in the early days of 3D printing, both the accuracy and post-processing of 3D-printed parts have significantly improved. Smoothed and colored 3D-printed parts are not only pleasing to the eye, they also offer a pleasant feel and sealed surfaces, as well as media impermeability.
3D printing in bicycles
Especially for bicycles, load-appropriate material distribution is important for an ergonomic riding experience. For example, the frame can be 3D-printed in the form of a bionic metal structure, handlebar grips and cable grommets can be manufactured with elastic TPU, and mounts for heart rate monitors and speedometers can be manufactured cost-effectively from durable SLS PA12.
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3D printing in all industries
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