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SMEs from the region find out about additive manufacturing
In cooperation with the Lower Saxony Additive Network and WiReGo (Goslar Region Economic Development Corporation), a workshop discussion on possible applications for additive manufacturing processes in SMEs was held at CZM in November.
Additive manufacturing technologies are becoming increasingly important in industrial production, whether for the cost-effective production of small quantities or for the manufacture of particularly complex geometries. There is also further potential in terms of the feasibility of multi-material component designs. However, the differences compared to conventional manufacturing processes are significant, which is why larger companies in particular are currently benefiting from this advanced technology.
At the workshop discussion, 25 guests from regional companies learned about the extent to which smaller and medium-sized companies can also use additive manufacturing processes to increase their innovation and competitiveness.
In an overview presentation, Dr. Henning Wiche (Managing Director at CZM) first explained the status and fields of action of additive manufacturing technologies. Joschka Röben, founder and owner of his own start-up, then reported on activities in the field of 3D printing. The company, which was founded in 2020, began with the production of spare parts for classic cars using resin 3D printing. According to the environmental process engineer, who trained at Clausthal University of Technology, another successful mainstay is now the recycling of unprinted and contaminated resins from resin 3D printing. The young company is based at the start-up center in Clausthal.
In a subsequent discussion round on the topic of 3D printing in practice, Mr. Röben exchanged ideas with two other experts, Dr. Eric Klemp from the company Eisenhut in Osterode and Dr. Michael Reiß from HOLOS Excellence in Goslar, with the involvement of the audience. Prof. Henning Ahlers from Niedersachsen Additiv was the moderator. According to the experts, the best way to get started with 3D printing in a company is to use several very inexpensive plastic filament printers from the consumer sector, which employees can initially use freely. After a short period of time, the employees will implement various improvements using 3D printing (e.g. through new positioning devices, handling tools, etc.) in the production process in a self-learning process, thus creating a corresponding mindset for the use of the technology. It is also possible to make the learning curve visible by using filaments with signal colors to make new components easily recognizable in production. Subsequently, further fields of application can be opened up by making larger investments or involving service providers.
The event concluded with a get-together, where guests were able to see live demonstrator production on the GULLIVER 3D printer, a system for manufacturing large-volume metal components using Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM).
