idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
The Fraunhofer Competence Field Additive Manufacturing (Fraunhofer ADDITIV) will be represented at rapid.tech 3D with a diverse program and is actively shaping the content. With a combination of presentations “powered by Fraunhofer ADDITIV,” interactive expert tables, and the new continuing education format of short courses, it offers numerous points of interest for industry professionals and users.
A particular highlight of rapid.tech 3D in 2026 will once again be the technical conference, where Fraunhofer ADDITIV will once again provide key insights. Presentations from various industries, delivered in collaboration with industry partners, will demonstrate the industrial effectiveness of additive manufacturing:
• In the Automotive & Mobility sector, large-format LPBF processes and near-series applications in specialty vehicle manufacturing will be presented, among other topics.
• In the Emerging & Supply Chain Industries sector, the focus will be on hybrid manufacturing chains and repair processes.
• In Chemistry, Process & Plant Engineering, innovative ceramic components and novel cooling systems for data centers will be presented.
• In the Aerospace & Defense sector, additively manufactured satellite components made of functional polymers will be showcased.
Visitors to the conference have the opportunity to follow the “powered by Fraunhofer ADDITIV” tag so they don’t miss any of the exciting presentations featured in the Fraunhofer-Industry Tandem.
Fraunhofer also places particular emphasis on actively shaping the Expert Tables. These interactive discussion formats are designed to stimulate and foster direct exchange among experts, users, and interested parties. The topics range from hybrid manufacturing processes and toolmaking to medical applications of additively manufactured polymer components and multi-material 3D printing. The focus at the Expert Tables is on current challenges and potential solutions, which are discussed jointly by industrial companies and research institutions in order to successfully overcome them.
Last but not least, Fraunhofer ADDITIV supports the new format of Short Courses, which are being offered for the first time this year in collaboration with Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences, Center for Continuing Education. This format allows participants to supplement their rapid.tech-3D visit with certified continuing education. Depending on the number of participants, the courses will take place on Tuesday morning, May 5, 2026, and on Thursday afternoon, May 7, 2026, immediately before and after the actual trade show and conference program, respectively, and provide in-depth, practical coverage of selected topics. One of the short courses that Fraunhofer ADDITIV is actively helping to design is on occupational safety in additive manufacturing, with a focus on risk assessment and guidelines, organized by Fraunhofer IPA and the University of Bayreuth.
With this widespread involvement, Fraunhofer ADDITIV is establishing its role as a key player in the transfer of applied research into industrial applications.
rapid.tech 3D: One of the Most Important Events on the Industry Calendar
rapid.tech 3D in Erfurt is one of Europe’s leading trade events for additive manufacturing. Every year, it brings together experts from industry, research, and development, offering a unique combination of a technical conference, exhibition, and networking platform. This year’s focus will once again be on the latest technologies, applications, and trends across the entire AM value chain, from materials and processes to industrial applications and business models.
Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Müller
Spokesman of the Fraunhofer Competence Field Additive Manufacturing
c/o Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology
Nöthnitzer Straße 44
01187 Dresden, Germany
Phone +49 351 4772-2136
Bernhard.Mueller@iwu.fraunhofer.de
https://www.iwu.fraunhofer.de/en/press/2026-fraunhofer-competence-field-additive...
https://www.additiv.fraunhofer.de/en.html Fraunhofer Competence Field Additive Manufacturing
https://www.rapidtech-3d.de/de/
https://www.rapidtech-3d.de/en/h/congress/topics Presentations
https://www.rapidtech-3d.de/en/expert-tables Expert tables
https://www.rapidtech-3d.de/de/fachkongress/weiterbildungsangebote Short Courses
1 The HeatFlow copper heat exchanger, featured in the presentation “Passive Two-Phase Cooling fo ...
Copyright: © Fraunhofer IWU
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Business and commerce, Journalists, Scientists and scholars
Materials sciences
transregional, national
Transfer of Science or Research
English
1 The HeatFlow copper heat exchanger, featured in the presentation “Passive Two-Phase Cooling fo ...
Copyright: © Fraunhofer IWU
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