Benefits & Functions

Additive Manufacturing refers to a process by which digital 3D design data is used to build up a component in layers by depositing material.

The term 3D printing is increasingly used as a synonym for Additive Manufacturing.

Additive Manufacturing is more accurate since it describes a professional production technique which is clearly distinguished from conventional methods of material removal.   3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing builds up components layer by layer using materials which are available in fine powder form.

A range of different metals, plastics and composite materials may be used !

This 3D Printing technology has especially been applied in conjunction with Rapid Prototyping - the construction of illustrative and functional prototypes. 

Additive Manufacturing / 3D Printing is now being used in Series Production since it gives Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) the opportunity to create a distinctive profile for themselves based on new customer benefits, cost-saving potential and the ability to meet sustainability goals.
 

Benefits of Additive Manufacturing / 3D Printing

The strengths of Additive Manufacturing / 3D Printing lie in those areas where conventional manufacturing reaches its limitations.

This 3D printing technology is of interest where a new approach to design and manufacturing is required so as to come up with solutions. It enables a design-driven manufacturing process - where design determines production and not the other way around. What is more, 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing, allows for highly complex structures which can still be extremely light and stable.

3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing apart from allowing high complex structures to be light and stable it also provides:

• a high degree of design freedom,
• the optimisation and integration of functional features,
• the manufacture of small batch sizes at reasonable unit costs
• a high degree of product customisation even in serial production.