Mechanical engineering industry in general
With sales of around €194 billion, mechanical and plant engineering is the strongest sector in Germany after the automotive industry. Around 1 million people are employed in the approximately 6,400 companies. In terms of sales, Germany ranks third after China and the USA. One of the main reasons for the success of the German economy is its willingness to invest in research and development projects. In terms of sales, the following industries are the most profitable:
- Robotics and automation
- Drive technology
- Apparatus and equipment engineering for process technology
- Machines and components for automation technology
- Machines for predominantly mobile applications
- Food and packaging machines
- Textile machines
3D printing at a glance
In 2017, 3D printing generated €1.81 billion in revenue worldwide. According to a forecast, sales are expected to increase further in 2021. In 2020, sales are expected to reach around €2.53 billion.
Corona crisis gives 3D printing new momentum
The Corona pandemic has shown how vulnerable global supply chains are to global crises. This is where the advantage of additive manufacturing (3D printing) becomes apparent. More and more companies are having spare parts manufactured by national 3D printing service providers, such as Dr. Dietrich Müller GmbH. In this way, dependencies on international suppliers can be minimized. The attractiveness of the 3D printing process is particularly evident for special components with low volumes.
Flexible, decentralized production on demand
Around the world, larger industrial companies are drawing conclusions from the Corona crisis and are further expanding their own additive manufacturing or using external services from national providers of 3D printing processes.
Benefits of 3D printing
The technology for 3D printing systems continues to evolve and offers a variety of advantageous features:
- On demand production
- High degree of freedom in component design
- Individualized product solutions
- Low consumption and use of different materials
- Prototyping without the need to purchase additional tooling
- High precision, speed, quality
Areas of application for 3D printing
Whether special components for the automotive sector, rapid prototyping or the production of buildings using the 3D printing process, additive manufacturing is finding an increasingly wide range of applications, across all industries. Examples include:
- Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing
- Medicine & Research
- Architecture & Construction
- Consumer goods, fashion & design
- Food Industry
- Aerospace
With the new Digital Fabricator, Dr. Dietrich Müller GmbH is expanding the range of services it offers its customers. Whether 3D printing, CNC, milling, punching or laser, all areas are covered by one system. The Digital Fabricator combines the various manufacturing processes into one system, so that the ideal solution is available for the creation of components.
Dr. Dietrich Müller GmbH is a global solution provider of electrical insulating materials, thermal conductive products, gaskets and technical films. We manufacture precision components from flexible and rigid materials.