Industry relies on 3D printing

More flexibility, independence and individuality: according to a survey by Bitkom, these are the main advantages of additive manufacturing for German industrial companies. A total of 551 companies in Germany with more than 100 employees were surveyed.

44 percent of the companies surveyed already use 3D printing processes, while another 20 percent are planning to use additive manufacturing processes. 3D printing is used in particular to produce samples or casting molds (57 percent), spare parts (48 percent) and visual models (33 percent). "German industry has recognised the enormous potential of 3D printing. Additive manufacturing provides significantly more flexibility and independence, which can prove to be an advantage especially in times of crisis," Bitkom CEO Dr Bernhard Rohleder sums up the steadily increasing interest in additive manufacturing technology.

If you want to use 3D printing processes, you don't necessarily have to buy a classic 3D printer. If you already have a CNC milling machine from the Optimum brand or a comparable machine with Siemens control, you can equip it with the Optimill 3X 3D print head and turn your milling machine into a 3D printer in just a few simple steps. A further development of the 3-axis 3D print head is the Optimill 5X print head, which allows you to realise your printing projects on a 5-axis CNC milling machine. 5-axis 3D printing enables you to print without complex support structures, thus ensuring greater stability for your printed components. Both print heads are already widely used for the production of patterns and casting molds, which according to the Bitkom survey is currently the most widely used application of additive manufacturing processes.

The entire Bitkom study can be found here.

For more information on the Optimill printheads 3X and 5X, please contact: t.laschimke(at)stuermer-maschinen.de or +49 (0)951/96555129