#Transfer

Many paths lead to technology transfer: through networks, financial support, personal guidance, trade fairs, or collaborative projects, we bring additive manufacturing inventions into industrial application.

High-performance center IAMHH®

From basic research to industrial transfer

The Fraunhofer high-performance center IAMHH® is advancing the transfer of additive manufacturing into industry together with three core partners and over 75 additional partners from business, politics, and research.

Together with the IAMHH e.V. association, the Hamburg University of Technology, and Fraunhofer IAPT, the Fraunhofer high-performance center IAMHH® provides a cross-organizational infrastructure for initiatives aimed at industrializing additive manufacturing in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region.

Since January 2025, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft has been supporting the transfer of innovations in additive manufacturing into industrial application via the Fraunhofer high-performance center IAMHH®, initially for three years with annual funding of 1 million euros.

Milestones of 3D Printing in Hamburg

The Fraunhofer high-performance center IAMHH® supports talent and start-ups, connects actors from industry and research, and above all positions the Hamburg Metropolitan Region at the forefront of innovation in additive manufacturing. Some current and former projects include Girls’ Day, the exhibition at Formnext, funding 100,000 euros worth of research projects and holding a first ever alumni meeting.

Girls' Day 2025

At Girls' Day we invite female students to explore 3D printing. The program is offered in cooperation with the Institute for Industrialization of Smart Materials (ISM) at TUHH. Interest is high – the 10 available spots were filled within just a few minutes.

AM Pitch Night

At the 2025 AM Pitch Night startup Advanced Additive was recognized for their pitch of the software ‘Project Path’. It optimizes path planning for more precise material deposition in 3D printing. The concept promised the greatest disruptive potential for AM.

Funding

We are funding two research projects on additive manufacturing: one at Fraunhofer IAPT and one at the Institute for Industrialization of Smart Materials (ISM) at the Hamburg University of Technology. The funding amount is 50,000 euros each..

Aerospace

At the high-performance center, our focus is on AM in aerospace. In this field we have developed design and manufacturing guidelines, establishing a robust AM route for the production of enhanced spacecraft components using the PBF-LB/M technology.

Hamburg

We thank the City of Hamburg for its support, for example for the extension building at the Innovations Park Bergedorf. We are honored to welcome government representatives or members of the Senate, such as Senator Maryam Blumenthal.

Advisory board

Our advisory board anchors us in Hamburg’s economy and industry: organizations like the Hamburg Industrial Association are represented, as well as universities, politics, and industry. Together, we identify opportunities for collaboration with local initiatives and clusters.

Alumni

At our first alumni meeting, over 30 former colleagues from Fraunhofer IAPT and its predecessor, Laser Zentrum Nord, discussed current developments in additive manufacturing and AI, as well as approaches for future collaboration.

Trade fair visits

Whether at the Technology Day in Lüneburg, Space Tech, PMW, Formnext, or the Beam Shaping Day – the high-performance center took part to present and discuss the advantages of 3D printing, opportunities for public funding, and low-threshold entry pathways.