We want to develop Austria into one of the most innovative pioneers in additive manufacturing to leverage the enormous future potential of this technology for our location.
Additive Manufacturing
Additive manufacturing (AM), better known to the general public as 3D printing, is a highly innovative layering process that has undergone an enormous development boost in recent years. Alongside other digital Technologies, such as robotics, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and Big Data, AM is one of the strongest drivers of the fourth industrial revolution.
AM's main advantage is its design freedom, which makes it possible to create structures that cannot be realised in other ways. The spectrum of applications ranges from industrial and medical applications, the manufacturing of tools and moulds, electronic components, prototypes, and many more. AM enables the creation of nanostructures up to and including the printing of entire houses. We are only at the beginning!
A rapidly growing future market
The AM market shows consistent double-digit growth rates. Accordingly, efforts are being made worldwide to strengthen the regional economy and science in this area (see, e.g., America Makes, Namic Singapore und Canada Makes).
It is already clear that no stone will be left unturned in manufacturing in the coming decades. Conventional manufacturing methods are increasingly being supplemented and replaced by AM.
Austria's first-class potential
A study carried out by the JKU Linz confirms Austria's excellent position and international competitiveness in the AM market. Although few nationally coordinated AM programs have been set up so far in Austria, an active industrial and scientific community has emerged in recent years. The community ranges from material suppliers to system manufacturers and from designers to end-users.
Many ongoing research activities, such as the lead project 'addmanu', the initiative 'AM for Industry' from the plastics and mechatronics cluster in Upper Austria, and the insights that arose from the Additive Manufacturing Austria road map on behalf of the BMK, show the immense potential that is made accessible through a cooperative national approach.
Therefore, the strategic goal of Additive Manufacturing Austria is primarily to make the Austrian additive manufacturing actors visible and able to act on a regional and international level.
Our approach
We want to connect all relevant AM stakeholders across the entire interdisciplinary value chain at the national and international level to strengthen education and research and promote new products and business models.
Besides, we professionalise our communication step by step to make Austria known as one of the top global players in the additive manufacturing industry.
Find out more about our current projects and activities.