Month: May 2024

The MGA-VDI Student Competition 2024 is over and it has been the largest and most successful instalment of this competition so far!
At EOS in Krailingen, one of the largest machine producers of Additive Manufacturing in the world, the 2024 MGA-VDI Student Competition brought together 13 interdisciplinary teams from universities across Germany and Switzerland, for 3 days.
Under the 2024 banner of Advanced Robotics, introduced by Professor Helge Wurdemann, a robotics expert from the University College of London, the students embarked on a new challenge: within just 48 hours they had to conceptualize and present a use case, together with a business plan, on the topic of robotics utilising the power of AM.

The event kicked off with a warm welcome from Marie Langer, CEO of EOS, setting the atmosphere for collaboration and innovation. Therefore, the weekend was filled with a lot of innovative discussions, not just within the teams, but also between our jurors during working hours, but also in the networking breaks for lunch and dinner. Additional inspiration came from the WIWeB (Wehrwissenschaftliches Institut für Werk- und Betriebsstoffe Erding of the Bundeswehr).

In fact, despite the tight timeframe, the results have exceeded expectations: Innovative Use Cases were created within the short time frame and some of the pitches given to the jury on Sunday rivalled those given by Start-Ups in front of investors.
All teams, some being there for the second or third time, came up with great ideas and well-funded documentation. Our jury had a very hard time choosing the winners, but in the heat of competition, “Pro Play Analytics” from Universität Innsbruck secured the first prize with their elaborate robotic golf trainer, easily wearable just as a sleeve. The team not only produced an innovative solution but backed their idea up with a solid business plan and marketing strategy. Not far behind came “GC3D-STL”, from the Berufsakademie Sachsen Staatliche Studienakademie Glauchau, with an innovative idea to re-make robotic arms, making them lighter and more adaptable. The third place was secured by “4Paws4Comfort”, from the University Innsbruck, thanks to their robotic prothesis for men’s best friends: dogs.

We want to dedicate a moment to thank all the people that contributed to make this event a success:

• the jurors Marc Fette, Linus Tillmann, Bianca Daiminger, Sascha Hartig & Patrick Gerhardt for mentoring (and evaluating) the teams;
• our hosts Jette Dietrich, Mariella Breinlinger, Lea Markievicz for hosting our nearly 100 people strong event at their premisses and also for printing the medals for our winners;
• our sponsors Autodesk, Airbus, Composite Technology Center / CTC GmbH (An Airbus Company), WIWeB, Helmut-Schmidt-Universität/Universität der Bundeswehr Hamburg and FFT Produktionssysteme GmbH & Co.KG for supporting the students not just on site, but also with great insights;
• the team facilitating on-site printing, Jannis Eckhoff, Eugen Musienko, Vincent Adomat, Maryam Ahanpanjeh, Florian Fuchs – without their help, printing the prototypes would not have been possible;
• PROTIQ for the 3D printed pens distributed to our students;
• And last but not least, thanks to the VDI e.V. and Nina Teßmer and Simon Jäckel for organizing the three-day marathon and hosting not just the students but also all the partners.

Looking ahead, mark your calendars for April 11-13, 2025, as the competition moves to Airbus premises in Stade. Help us find the future masterminds of AM, support the next generation and join us for another chapter in the journey of Additive Manufacturing innovation!

Our members are driven by innovation and constantly seeking new paths to push the boundaries of Additive Manufacturing. Recently, we have embarked on an exciting journey, transitioning our Vehicles + Machines Working Group from automotive to a broader spectrum, including specialized machinery, to unite industry players and foster a collaborative environment rich in innovation.

We believe that by bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise, we can collectively address challenges and unlock new possibilities in 3D printing. We’re addressing manufacturers. These sectors present unique challenges and opportunities, with a demand for high standards such as food safety, corrosion resistance, and specialized functionalities. For instance, candy production machineries are incredibly sophisticated, with only a handful produced annually, highlighting the need for precision and expertise in their manufacturing.

While our focus may have broadened from the automotive sector, our commitment to advancing AM stands firm. Therefore, we are excited to announce our upcoming Vehicles & Machines Working Group meeting on the 4th of June, where once again we will offer an unbiased environment where ideas flow freely, and collaborations flourish.
Thanks to our Working Group, we have the chance to drive towards our collective goals and aspirations at MGA premises, but not only. To provide the right environment for development, we often visit members’ premises, to learn more about their advancements and share new projects and ideas. Last time we visited Mann+Hummel, a leading company in filter production, further expanding our knowledge base and inspiration.

Join us on this journey as we redefine the possibilities of Additive Manufacturing, one specialized machinery at a time. Don’t hesitate to contact Sven Fritzsche for more information!

We are pleased to share our impressions from our recent participation in the DigiZug3D consortium meeting held in Hamburg from 23rd to 24th of April 2024. During the meeting, we collaborated with our partners to drive this research project forward.

The meeting, which brought together a diverse array of industry experts, provided a platform for in-depth discussions on critical topics shaping the future of additive manufacturing. The meeting addressed key themes such as component categorisation, marking of samples and components, process qualification, and the potential advantages of implementing online monitoring systems. These discussions yielded valuable insights and laid the groundwork for collaborative efforts to address emerging challenges and seize opportunities within the industry.

Our involvement in the DigiZug3D consortium meeting reinforced our dedication to innovating and pushing the limits of additive manufacturing. Through shared expertise and resources, we’re positioned to expedite progress and explore fresh opportunities. As we review the fruitful discussions and promising results, we eagerly anticipate ongoing collaboration and the pursuit of groundbreaking solutions that will shape the future of the additive manufacturing landscape.

Stay tuned for further updates! For more information, please contact Linus Tillmann.

In the dynamic world of Additive Manufacturing, innovation is not just about pushing boundaries; it’s about shaping the future of industries like never before. For years, AM’s narrative centred on application-driven approaches and enhancing efficiency across sectors. Yet, the true essence lies in smart utilization, achieving more with less. In a significant stride towards meeting the strict requirements of the railway sector, Siemens Mobility and LEHVOSS – Customized Polymer Materials have released a groundbreaking development: LUVOSINT PPS 9268 BK, a cutting-edge SLS powder with the highest flame retardancy according to the EN 45545-2 standard, tailored for sustainable and cost-efficient production across industries such as railway, aerospace, and automotive.

Presented by Dr Stefan Landkammer at the AM Forum 2024 in Berlin, LUVOSINT PPS 9268 BK marks a significant advancement in 3D printing technology. With Level R1 HL3 flame retardancy rating certification—the first of its kind in the market—this powder sets a new benchmark for safety and reliability, particularly in railway applications. Unlike conventional filament-based materials, LUVOSINT PPS 9268 BK offers unmatched versatility and performance, making it suitable for a wide range of polymer components, including large interior and exterior railway parts.

The development of LUVOSINT PPS 9268 BK underscores the power of collaboration and industry initiatives in addressing critical needs. Discussions within the MGA Materials Working Group played a role in identifying the spread demand for such material, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts in driving innovation. With its inherent flame-retardant properties and 100% reusability, LUVOSINT PPS 9268 BK presents sustainable and cost-effective solutions for manufacturers, minimizing waste and maximizing efficiency.

This material presents various benefits across multiple domains. In terms of sustainability, its 0% waste rate ensures that all excess powder from previous production processes can be efficiently reused, eliminating the need for disposal within the powder cycle and significantly enhancing its cost-effectiveness and eco-friendly characteristics. Economically, LUVOSINT PPS 9268 BK offers competitive pricing, exceeding that of most flame-retardant filaments. Furthermore, its electrical properties are revolutionary. With outstanding dielectric strength, this powder offers remarkable opportunities for insulation applications, representing a substantial advancement in material technology.

In conclusion, the introduction of LUVOSINT PPS 9268 BK represents a significant milestone in the evolution of Additive Manufacturing. Through collaboration and innovation, this new material stands for progress and prosperity, shaping a more sustainable and efficient manufacturing landscape for years to come.