Additive Manufacturing (AM) - VDI: 3d printing technologies are reality in industrial production

The Association of German Engineers (VDI) has accompanied and promoted additive manufacturing (AM) processes since their beginnings. About ten years ago, the first pioneers dared to use the processes known as "rapid prototyping"so far for the production of mechanically resilient components. Today, innovative products made of polymers, metal or ceramics are created by cleverly using the freedom of design of additive manufacturing processes. A study carried out by RWTH Aachen University in cooperation with VDI shows that additive manufacturing processes are already a reality in industrial production. New, AM-optimized materials, new AM processes with higher productivity, software tools for simulating component properties and proceeding automation of the process chain make us confident that the success story of additive manufacturing will continue. © Carl Hanser Verlag GmbH & Co. KG.