Innovative New 3D Printing Lab at the University of Siegen

The ultramodern center for additive manufacturing, a process involving the layer-by-layer production of components, will promote more innovative research projects and closer collaboration with industry. The technical equipment cost 1.6 million euros in total.

The University of Siegen has a new lab for 3D printing of metals at the Paul Bonatz Straße Campus. Two innovative processes are at work in the new labs: laser powder bed fusion and laser metal deposition. The latter involves targeted repairs or extensions of existing components, while laser powder bed fusion is suitable for the development and production of complex, intelligent tools. Both high-precision processes are capable of tapping new opportunities for research and industrial manufacturing. “The opening of this lab represents an important milestone for engineering in Siegen,” declared Professor Stefanie Reese, rector of the University of Siegen. “These innovating processes will help the participating professorships achieve an entirely new level of research marked by greater cooperation in research and industry.” The lab is operated by the School of Science and Technology.

A boon for the region and its industries

Additive manufacturing has a diverse range of uses, from recycled metals to power a sustainable circular economy and intelligent sensors integrated into tools to new concepts for the electric auto industry. These innovations conserve resources even as they strengthen the competitiveness of the regional industry. “Facilitating knowledge transfer from the university to the region’s companies, and to society at large, is one of our top priorities,” Professor Reese notes. “We are bringing the fruits of research into practical production. Along the way, we help drive applications in industry, attract engineers to the region, and retain jobs in the region.”

Professor Martin Manns, who established the lab together with colleagues from four different teaching professorships, emphasizes the academic and economic reach: “We can benefit massively from this kind of joint project, which positions us as players in national and international competition.” The expanded infrastructure has already helped researchers acquire strong funding for their projects. In addition, the lab is a factor in acquiring young researchers for the University of Siegen. Professor Tamara Reinicke, another important figure in the establishment of the lab, sees tremendous opportunity in the new technology: “Additive manufacturing has been a major object of hype for roughly a decade now. But there remains much to be explored, such as material development, productivity, and affordability. And that's what we're working on here.”

The lab's safety equipment is another calling card. A complex filter system makes it possible to work with hazardous materials without jeopardizing the health of the environment or the researchers. A new gas storage facility was built on campus to allow for safe storage of the technical gases needed for manufacturing. Innovative software allows researchers to create 3D machine simulations for better and simpler processes.

The laboratory receives 1.6 million euros in funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG) in the EU.

Participating teaching professorships:

• Professorship for Production Automation and Assembly (FAMS) under Professor Martin Manns
• Professorship for Product Development (PE) under Professor Tamara Reinicke
• Professorship for Materials Science and Materials Testing (LMW) under Professor Axel von Hehl
• Professorship for Forming Technology (UTS) under Professor Bernd Engel

Contact
Daniel Klein, Lab Engineer, University of Siegen
+49 271 740 - 4458 or -2429
Email: daniel.klein@mb.uni-siegen.de

 

From left to right: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Axel von Hehl, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Martin Manns, Prof. Dr. Stefanie Reese, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Tamara Reinicke, and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernd Engel. Photo: University of Siegen / Dirk Manderbach