German components manufacturer Röchling Group is exploring new horizons with the construction of an additive manufacturing center and the establishment of a dedicated company to spearhead the group’s 3D printing projects.
In a Dec. 2 release, the group said that it set up Röchling Direct Manufacturing GmbH in Waldachtal, in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, in August to reinforce its commitment to additive manufacturing technology (3D printing).
In addition, the company is currently building Röchling Direct Manufacturing Center (RDMC) at the Waldachtal site to help advance the group’s technologies in its three core divisions of industrial, automotive and medical.
Covering an area of 500 square meters, the center is set for start-up in spring 2020 and will offer a broad portfolio of manufacturing processes for plastics and metals, according to Röchling.
“Additive manufacturing at the Waldachtal site will help significantly advance the Röchling Group as the company heads into its third century, since it gives us the unique opportunity to manufacture complex components and entire series quickly and cost-effectively,” said Hanns-Peter Knaebel, CEO of the Röchling Group.
The center will focus on collaboration with customers to define the application area of additive manufacturing and expand its technology base, said Röchling in a statement.
In addition, the unit will cooperate with machine manufacturers, service providers and scientific partners to develop technologies and materials for “the customized products of tomorrow.”
“Additive manufacturing makes it possible to completely re-imagine conventional products and manufacturing processes,” said Sebastian Koller, head of innovation & product development at Röchling Medical in Waldachtal, where the RDMC is being set up.
“In the future, it will be possible for the technologies to be reliably deployed there under controlled ambient conditions in order to create high-quality products,” said Axel Höfter, general manager of Röchling Direct Manufacturing GmbH.
Röchling setting up center for additive manufacturing
Röchling
The two general managers of Röchling Direct Manufacturing GmbH, Jens Harmeling (left) and Dr. Axel Höfter, are in charge of the Röchling Direct Manufacturing Centre.
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