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Are you still designing, or have you started printing yet? That’s how you could sum up the rapid.tech 3D trade fair, which took place in mid-May at the Erfurt Exhibition Centre, in a single sentence. 3D printing, as an additive manufacturing process, offers almost limitless potential for countless practical applications.
The stand run by the Laserinstitut of Mittweida University of Applied Sciences (LHM) was once again a popular attraction. The research group led by Professor André Streek presented metal 3D Printing on a scale ranging from the very small to the very large. A popular benchmark object in the 3D printing industry is the so-called 3DBenchy. This is a boat used to demonstrate the performance and precision of 3D printers and printing processes. The model features various geometric shapes and details, such as overhangs, bridges, fine details and tight tolerances. The 3DBenchy is often referred to as the ‘cheerful 3D Printing stress test’.
The scientists at the LHM have, of course, also printed some – using the laser powder bed fusion (SLM or L-PBF) metal 3D Printing process. On display at the stand was a boat in maxi format, which has already passed its practical test on the River Zschopau. Attracting almost even more attention were microscopic 3DBenchys, which are barely visible to the naked eye, with a fuselage length of just one millimetre.
What is intended to attract visitors is, of course, also applied in a scientifically grounded and practical manner. In the micro-scale, examples include micro-heat exchangers or topology-optimised mirror mounts for aligning inter-satellite laser communications. The macro-scale, for instance, features bespoke nodes for free-form façades or lightweight frames for concrete block production.
There will be several opportunities to see the LHM 3D Printing system in action in the near future.
On 18 and 19 June 2025, the 14th Mittweida Laser Conference (link to the conference) will feature an entire session dedicated to 3D Printing.
On 15 October 2025, 3D Printing will even be the focus for an entire day at the 12th Central German Forum on 3D Printing in Practice (link to the conference), also in Mittweida.
The LHM will be attending two leading trade fairs: Laser World of Photonics from 24 to 27 June 2025 in Munich and formnext from 18 to 21 November 2025 in Frankfurt (Main), two leading trade fairs that also focus on laser-induced processes and 3D Printing.
