Fraunhofer Additive Manufacturing Alliance

Abstract

Additive manufacturing is known as 3D printing in popular science. It refers to a relatively new group of manufacturing techniques with unique properties and possibilities compared with conventional manufacturing technologies. The Fraunhofer Additive Manufacturing Alliance currently coordinates 17 Fraunhofer institutes working on additive manufacturing. It covers the entire process chain: the development, application and implementation of additive manufacturing techniques and processes as well as the relevant materials. This chapter provides an overview of the technologies, applications, particular opportunities and further goals of applied research in the area of additive manufacturing within the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. We make particular mention of mesoscopic lightweight design, biomimetic structures, high-performance tools for hot sheet metal forming, ceramic components, printable biomaterial, largesize plastic components, integrating sensory-diagnostic and actuator therapeutic functions into implants, and three-dimensional multimaterial components.