Successful transfer from science to industry: In a research partnership, the Institut für Strahlwerkzeuge (IFSW), the Institute for Control Engineering of Machine Tools and Manufacturing Units (ISW), and Precitec GmbH & Co. KG jointly brought an efficient metal 3D printing process to industrial maturity. The Easy Metal Printer was developed in record time as part of the InnovationChallenge of the InnovationCampus Future Mobility (ICM) and has since become a global success for the medium-sized company.
From science to market success
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When research and industry work together, competitive innovations result. A prime example is the Easy Metal Printer, an additive laser process jointly developed by researchers at the University of Stuttgart and Precitec GmbH & Co. KG.
Science and industry complement each other
Precitec, headquartered in Gaggenau and specializing in measurement and laser technology, has been collaborating with the IFSW for many years. "The collaboration benefits everyone involved," says Professor Thomas Graf, Director of the Institute. "In our experience, scientific and industrial perspectives complement each other extremely well." The Precitec team is integrated into a scientific environment, has access to research infrastructure, and collaborates with internationally connected experts. "This gives a technology company a tremendous boost—both scientifically and methodologically," explains Graf. Employees gain insights into real-world application challenges, and new scientific findings emerge from joint tests. This not only increases the relevance of the research but also provides the company with a solid foundation for innovative solutions.
From idea to demonstrator
Klaus Loeffler, Managing Director of Precitec, agrees: The tripartite model of science, industry, and application has proven effective. "In global competition, it’s no longer enough to spend years developing a good idea to market readiness. We need to move fast—and for a medium-sized company like ours, access to scientific expertise is a key advantage," says Loeffler. Researchers at the University of Stuttgart provide an evidence-based foundation for initial product solutions and continue to refine them. Using demonstrators at the institute, potential customers can test the new technology on site and define their product requirements more precisely.
An efficient system for additive metal manufacturing
The Easy Metal Printer is the latest example of the long-standing research partnership between Precitec, the IFSW, and—specifically in this case—the ISW. This innovative system uses wire-based rather than powder-based metal and offers a more efficient alternative to conventional metal 3D printing methods. Precitec has successfully established the technology on the market and equipped one of the world’s largest additive manufacturing facilities with it.
Streamlined funding, focused collaboration
The rapid implementation of the project has greatly facilitated the targeted funding of the innovation campus. It took less than two months from application to approval of the project funding. "The pace of our InnovationChallenge format is a clear advantage over other funding programs," says Dr. Max Hoßfeld. The managing director of the ICM was previously a development manager himself. The organizational framework of the ICM is intentionally kept lean because small and medium-sized enterprises often lack the resources and personnel to navigate complex funding regulations. "We rely on practical processes and collaborative contracts—especially when it comes to issues such as exploitation rights, which are often a stumbling block in other formats." In addition to efficient and fast funding processing, Hoßfeld sees direct cooperation on an equal footing as a key factor for success. "You have to understand what the other side needs—and what they can achieve." For all involved, the InnovationChallenge is not just a funding tool but rather a catalyst for sustained collaboration between science and industry.
At the heart of the Easy Metal Printer of Precitec is a process known as coaxial laser metal wire deposition. A metal wire is precisely melted and deposited layer by layer onto a substrate. This alternative to traditional powder-based methods can greatly reduce material and energy consumption and simplify the processing of materials such as aluminum, titanium, and steel. The technology allows greater design freedom, supports hybrid components, and enables the production of complex technical parts.
The InnovationCampus Future Mobility is a joint research platform of the University of Stuttgart and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and is funded by the Baden-Wuerttemberg Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts. The aim is to combine scientific excellence and economic applicability, particularly in the areas of sustainable mobility and production. The InnovationChallenge is a core initiative of the ICM that supports innovative, practice-oriented projects.
Further information can be found on the websites of the ICM and ISW
Contact
Expert Contact
Prof. Thomas Graf,
University of Stuttgart, Institute of Laser Technologies (IFSW)
Tel.: +49 711 685-66840, E-Mail: thomas.graf(at)ifsw.uni-stuttgart.de
Press Contact
Dr. Jutta Witte
University of Stuttgart, University Communications
Tel.: +49 711 685-82176, E-Mail: jutta.witte(at)hkom.uni-stuttgart.de