Industrial 3D Printing

Industrial 3D printing is designed for maximum precision, repeatability, and material quality. Unlike conventional 3D printing, which is mostly used in private or semi-professional applications, professional hardware with extensive process control is used here. 

The aim is not only to manufacture prototypes, but also to produce functional end components. Industrial facilities offer larger construction volumes, enable automated processes, and meet industry-specific standards, for example in mechanical engineering or aviation.

High-performance materials that meet specific mechanical, thermal, or chemical requirements are used in industrial environments. A wide variety of additive manufacturing processes allow for a large selection of materials, including metals and fiber-reinforced materials.

FDM 3D printing uses thermoplastics such as ABS, PA, and PC, which melt at higher temperatures. The exact selection depends on the application—whether for heat-resistant components, high-strength functional parts, or lightweight structures with high load-bearing capacity.

Industrial 3D printing systems achieve very high dimensional accuracy – depending on the process, this is often ±0.1 mm or better. There are processes that offer particularly good surface quality, such as selective laser sintering (SLS) or laser melting (SLM), and processes that combine high printing speed with a good surface finish. In addition, automatic calibration and process monitoring ensure consistently high component quality. This makes industrial 3D printing ideal for functionally critical components in larger quantities.

Yes, definitely. Modern industrial 3D printing processes enable cost-effective series production — especially for small and medium series. The elimination of tooling costs and short lead times allow products to be manufactured quickly and flexibly. Design changes do not require new tools, making iterative development or variant production very efficient. In addition, 3D printing processes allow for complex, functionally integrated geometries that would be difficult or impossible to produce using traditional methods.

In particular, the FDM technology used by NEVO3D enables cost-effective series production thanks to its speed advantages and low material costs.

FDM stands for “Fused Deposition Modeling.” FDM is probably the most commonly used process in additive manufacturing. In this 3D printing process, thermoplastic material is melted in an extruder head. The liquefied material is pressed out of a nozzle and fused with the underlying material by moving the extruder head in defined paths. The process takes place layer by layer, i.e., first the lowest part or base of the desired component is printed onto a print bed. The next layer is then placed on top of this. The desired object is created by continuously printing or fusing the individual layers on top of each other.

The term FFF, which stands for “fused filament fabrication,” is often used as a synonym for FDM.

Industrial 3D printing is used in numerous industries: in the railway and aviation industries, parts with special fire protection requirements are produced, while in the automotive industry, complex tools or functional components are manufactured. Medical technology uses 3D printing for patient-specific implants or prostheses. In mechanical and plant engineering, electronics manufacturing, and even in the consumer goods industry, 3D printing offers new design freedom and accelerated product development. It is increasingly supplementing or replacing conventional manufacturing methods in these areas.