Additive manufacturing (3D printing). TAB-Fokus

Industrial additive manufacturing technologies enable the production of highly complex components and openup new options for customised series production. Both in Germany and worldwide, most industries are still at an early stage of tapping the manifold application potentials of additive manufacturing.
Compared to other countries worldwide, Germany’s strength lies primarily on the side of developers, whereas the user side rather shows some deficiencies. This is why the major challenge for the years to come is to broaden the industrial user base in Germany.
Overcoming non-technical barriers that often impede the introduction of additive manufacturing technologies represents a key factor in this respect – particularly for small and medium-sized companies. So far, with regard to the existing funding activities which are mainly focusing on technological development goals, only little consideration is given to non-technical fields of innovation.
In order to optimally interlink the innovation process with society’s needs, research on economic and social issues associated with additive manufacturing should be strengthened.