Additive Manufacturing: Future technology for industrial production
Additive Manufacturing (AM), often referred to as 3D printing in everyday life, is a state-of-the-art manufacturing process that differs fundamentally from conventional methods such as milling, turning, or casting. Instead of removing material, the component is created by applying layers of material directly from a digital 3D model.
This process offers numerous advantages for industry and research: Thanks to its high degree of design freedom, material-efficient production, and individual customization options, industrial 3D printing is suitable for both prototyping and series production of complex components. Additive manufacturing opens up completely new innovation potential, particularly in areas such as aerospace, automotive engineering, and medical technology.
Additive Manufacturing in Hamburg
The Fraunhofer Institute for Additive Production Technologies (IAPT) in Hamburg is one of the leading institutions for the industrialization of Additive Manufacturing. We focus primarily on socially relevant sectors such as Life Sciences, Energy, Mobility and Security. Our research ranges from component design and processes to factory planning and digitalization: we look at the entire production route. Numerous spin-offs and patent applications underline the value of our innovations. You too can develop the additive manufacturing of the future together with industry and public institutions.
Additive Manufacturing is considered a digital manufacturing technology, but there are still many open challenges on the way to full industrialization. That is why we are working closely with industry to develop real-time and data-driven digital twin technologies for the digital additive production of tomorrow.