3D printing from
the north

Utilise the extensive possibilities.

High-pressure die casting is our most important core technology in Germany. Components manufactured using this process are widely used and have become an integral part of our daily lives. For example, they are used in many cars, support us at our desks or provide us with safety in the form of sprinklers on many shopping mall ceilings. However, there are situations in which the classic manufacturing processes are very limited in their possibilities. Especially when it comes to internal cavities or undercut areas, the question of possible realisation often arises. In addition, there is a constant desire to save weight, especially in vehicle construction, but at some point the design is so exhausted and optimised that significant savings are no longer possible, even with economical die-cast. This problem can be solved very effectively with additive manufacturing. Production using one of the established 3D printing processes, such as SLM or FDM, offers starting points that are limited by conventional casting. The generative design of layers makes it possible to produce optimally designed components that contain all degrees of geometric freedom. In addition, the inner structure can contain hollow areas without sacrificing strength. By designing a mesh or ribbed structure, the overall weight can be reduced by up to 60 %. 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing (AM), is a comprehensive term for all manufacturing processes in which material is applied layer by layer to create three-dimensional objects (workpieces). The almost unlimited degrees of freedom make geometries conceivable that were previously difficult or impossible to realise.
At Matthies Druckguss, we have been using the familiar types of formative and subtractive manufacturing methods, such as casting, milling or turning, for a long time. However, some time ago we started to look into additive manufacturing methods.