Inventing the Future of Additive Manufacturing

How can we push your AM topics forward?

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We educate

tomorrow´s proficient Digital Natives and Additive Manufacturing experts

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We research

into all vertical and horizontal elements of the Additive Manufacturing process chain

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We support

you in mastering your fundamental Additive Manufacturing challenges

Our Mission

Viable Solutions for Tomorrow’s Industry!

Additive Manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, uses computer-aided design to build objects layer by layer, thereby processing metal, polymer or ceramic materials. This contrasts with traditional manufacturing, which cuts, drills, and grinds away unwanted excess from a solid piece of material.
We are experts in answering basic and application-specific questions related to Additive Manufacturing (AM) as well as product and production digitalization. Our goal: to permanently strengthen and advance the developing and the manufacturing industry. For this reason, we research and develop viable solutions for a sustainable implementation of Additive Manufacturing (AM) in the process chains of a wide range of industries. To this end, we consider all horizontal and vertical elements of the AM process chain as well as interfaces in between: from digitalization and production networking to materials and manufacturing to post-processing and quality assurance.

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Chair News

Additive Manufacturing and Digitalization News

Up to date at any time: latest dates and news from the DAP chair

The DAP at the Metal Binder Jetting Symposium: From Research to Appliccation with Till Schweikert

08.04.2025, Aachen The DAP at the Metal Binder Jetting Symposium: From Research to Application with Till Schweikert We are taking part in the ACAM Metal Binder Jetting Symposium. Our expert, Till Schweikert, will give a presentation entitled "From Research to...

The DAP at Hannover Messe: Prof Schleifenbaum on 3D Printing Onsite Parts Production

Take your Chance! The DAP at Hannover Messe: Prof Schleifenbaum on 3D Printing Onsite Parts Production In today's industry, most spare parts are manufactured during production, stored for decades and eventually disposed of. When a part is needed, it is often shipped...

Practical AM Applications: Additive Manufacturing for the Aerospace Industry

Practical AM applications Additive Manufacturing for the Aerospace Industry Following our HotKaSt project, we now present the next insight into practical applications of Additive Manufacturing: AMB2S (Additive Manufactured Blisk to Sky) - a project that explored the...

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Experience Additive Manufacutring

Our Research

Our chair has access to more than 3200 m² of laboratory space for its AM research. More than 120 talented and motivated employees research on more than 25 systems for metal-based AM and 15 systems for polymer-based AM. From digitalization and production networking to materials and manufacturing to post-processing and quality assurance: Our equipment covers the entire AM process chain.

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Laser Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB/M)

During the PBF-LB/M process, also known as metallic 3D printing, a PBF-LB/M system builds up a component layer by layer: Laser radiation melts powder selectively according to the geometry information of the respective component layers. After each layer, the substrate plate is lowered by one layer thickness. In a next step, a new powder layer is applied and another layer is melted.

Laser Material Deposition

Laser Material Deposition is a laser based cladding process. A laser beam locally melts the surface of a component, metallic material is guided into the melt pool the the material is completely melted reuslting in a metallurigical bonded layers. Repeating this procedure, multiple layers can be applied and complex geometries can be manufactured in a near-net-shape manner.

Extreme High-Speed Laser Material Deposition (EHLA)

EHLA is a laser based cladding process. Unlike conventional Laser Material Deposition, the laser melts metal powder particles while they are above the melt pool. Hence, liquid material drops into the melt pool instead of solid powder particles. The process achieves a high process speed (up to 500 m/min), a layer thickness from 20 to 350 μm, dense and metallurgical bonded layers and a high material efficiency (up to 95%). Utilizing EHLA, almost any alloy can be used for coatings (e.g. iron-, nickel-, aluminum-based alloys, Metal Matrix Composites (MMC)).

Training and Teaching

Everything about
Studies, Training,
Internships and BFD

Would you like to gain practical experience in a future-oriented environment? Explore Additive Manufacturing at our chair: for example, as part of your studies, a Federal Volunteer Service (BFD) or an apprenticeship!

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This picture shows a component that was developed in one of our projects together with Kueppers Solutions GmbH.