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3D printing: A look at the technology
The topic of the 36th episode of the Munich Startup Podcast is 3D printing – and starting at minute 3:00, we first focus on the technology itself. Because even though technology is ultimately about building objects layer by layer, there are many different printing processes. The website 3D-grenzenlos.de lists over 40 different processes. However, these can be roughly divided into four categories, depending on how the printer functions.
Powder printers, for example, harden powder applied over a large area where the object is to be created, before applying another layer of powder and hardening it again. This process is repeated until the object is finished. Resin printers, on the other hand, work with a liquid medium that is hardened in the desired areas using UV light, for example. Extrusion printers have a nozzle from which the printing material emerges, creating an object layer by layer. And jetting printers have multiple nozzles, allowing them to use different materials in one object.
Use and further develop 3D printing
A startup that relies on powder printing is VectorflowFounded in 2014 as a spin-off from the Technical University of Munich, the company develops and markets metal probes for flow measurement. By applying 3D printing technology, Vectoflow has been able to produce both the world's smallest probe (outer diameter 0.9 mm) and the world's most temperature-resistant probe (up to 1800°C). You can hear more about the startup's solutions and the founding team starting at minute 7:35.
The next startup is not focusing on a specific 3D printing technology but on additive manufacturing in general. Hyperganic (from minute 12:30) has developed a novel 3D printing software that aims to revolutionize existing manufacturing processes and massively accelerate the development process of objects. To achieve this, the AI software platform relies on so-called voxels, which allow it to calculate and modify each point in a design separately, for example, by assigning it a different material. In this way, Hyperganic aims to automate the creation of parts, structures, and entire machines.
If you only want to use the possibilities of 3D printing occasionally and therefore do not want to purchase your own device, you may find All3DP found what they were looking for. With its Craftcloud platform, the startup has created a two-sided marketplace where customers and 3D printing service providers can connect. Through these service providers, the platform offers access to all common processes and materials, which users can book directly online. Furthermore, the startup supports this offering with the multilingual online magazine all3dp.com. There, users can find information about printers, materials, software, and more. You can hear who's behind All3DP starting at minute 16:25.
The next generation of additive manufacturing
The last startup we feature in this episode doesn't use conventional 3D printers, but is working on a new form of additive manufacturing. Cevotec develops and sells production systems and software for the automated manufacture of complex carbon components. The company's core business is Fiber Patch Placement Technology, which enables automated work with carbon fibers. We explain exactly how the technology works, how it was developed, and who is behind the startup starting at minute 19:50.
Finally, we take a look at the VC AM Ventures (from minute 24:15). The Munich-based investor has focused exclusively on 3D printing, or rather, additive manufacturing. It invests along the entire value chain: new materials, hardware, post-processing technologies, software, and automation.
