Additive Manufacturing / 3D Printing
A new dimension for industry and society
3D printing - or additive manufacturing - has arrived in everyday industry. In many industries, such as aerospace, automotive or mechanical engineering, companies rely on the manufacturing technology. They use it to build prototypes or particularly lightweight, cost- or space-saving series parts.
Bremen is a European hotspot for 3D printing and is a pioneer in the technology. This is demonstrated by a large number of companies and scientific institutes that work closely together. Time and again, research projects with Bremen's participation are created, resulting in new innovations "made in Bremen".
Industry and science cover the entire range of services, from design, material development, process planning and software to manufacturing and post-treatment. This great diversity, coupled with technological progress and many years of experience, makes Bremen an attractive location. It also means that the technology is becoming increasingly lucrative for companies to use and has made the leap from the experimental field into practice.
A particular focus in Bremen is on metal 3D printing. On the one hand, the Belgian Materialise Group operates its competence center here with more than 30 printers, while on the other hand, the numerous aerospace companies in Bremen, such as Airbus, OHB or the ArianeGroup, are engaged in printing titanium or aluminum alloys for rockets and aircraft.
They are supported in this by scientific institutes. These include Fraunhofer IFAM, Leibniz IWT, and Faserinstitut Bremen, which contribute their knowledge of materials and processes. In addition, there are institutes such as BIAS, ISEMP or the Bionics Innovation Center.
The industry in the Hanseatic city is also committed to technical progress beyond metal printing. The BEGO Group, for example, designs its own 3D printers in the field of dentistry, while young start-ups such as AMSIS or Elise contribute software solutions that advance the industry. The American industry leader 3D Systems also operates a site here.
Bremeninvest is committed to the growth of the industry together with the state of Bremen.
- Bremeninvest advises and supports the settlement and entrepreneurial issues such as site selection, personnel, marketing and financing as well as administrative procedures.
- BAB – Die Förderbank für Bremen und Bremerhaven and Starthaus Bremen & Bremerhaven contribute knowledge and financing options for both young founders and established companies.
- The Additive Manufacturing Nordwest industry association acts as a mouthpiece for 3D printing in the northwest and networks players with each other.
- At the ECOMAT research and technology center, numerous companies and institutes work together on issues relating to climate-neutral flying, lightweight construction and innovative materials. 3D printing is also a research focus. ECOMAT also aims to network across industry and national borders.
- With the Bremen Technology Park and the Airport City, there are two focal points of the industry sector where companies can quickly find access to know-how, cooperation partners and ideal infrastructure.
Success Stories
Gaining a foothold in new sectors and new target groups is often difficult for small companies. Michel Petkovic was lucky enough to achieve this step with his start-up WeserCAD. To achieve this, the company that specializes in 3D printing has become a member of the ECOMAT.
Learn moreAviation "made in Bremen": The Airbus facility in Bremen extends over 450,000 square metres, or 63 football fields, and has a workforce of 4,100. Industrial performance at the highest level.
let´s fly!The pandemic has proven it: When supply routes do not work and production facilities are at a standstill, urgently needed construction and spare parts can often be a long time coming. The Bremen-based start-up WeserCAD has developed an innovative and fast solution.
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