3D Printing
News Videos Newsletter Contact us
Home / News / Deutsche Bahn Prints 100,000th Spare Part
Join our mailinglist

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Deutsche Bahn Prints 100,000th Spare Part

May 25, 2023

German railway company Deutsche Bahn (DB) has achieved a significant milestone in the realm of 3D printing technology by producing its 100,000th spare part. This accomplishment highlights the transformative impact of 3D printing on train maintenance, according to DB. The company’s venture into 3D printing began in 2015 with simple spare parts, but it has now progressed to manufacturing complex components. The 100,000th part, a gear housing for shunting locomotives, was produced using a 3D printed mold, making it the largest and heaviest part manufactured through 3D printing by DB to date.

Deutsche Bahn Prints 100,000th Spare Part
The 3D printed gear housing is the 100,000th printed part. (Image credit: DB)

Traditionally, obtaining a part like the gear housing would involve lengthy delivery times averaging ten months. However, DB turned to 3D printing as a more efficient solution, reducing the delivery time to just two months. By employing an indirect 3D printing process known as binder jetting, the gearbox housing is created by combining a powdered starting material with a liquid binding agent to form the mold, which is later cast into the desired shape.

DB’s digital warehouse, containing virtual technical drawings of spare parts, plays a crucial role in this achievement. With approximately 1,000 virtual models currently stored, the company plans to increase that number to 10,000 components by 2030. This digital approach saves logistics space, storage costs, and shortens delivery times, promoting independence and sustainability. The use of 3D printing reduces CO2 emissions, minimizes waste of resources, and optimizes resource consumption during production.

DB utilizes its own printers and a partner network for production, and it established the “Mobility goes Additive” network in 2016 to foster collaboration among more than 140 companies, including users, manufacturers, service providers, universities, and start-ups. Various 3D printing processes, such as material extrusion, powder bed, and binder jetting, are employed to achieve DB’s goals.

With ongoing advancements and collaborations, DB aims to further expand its digital warehouse and leverage the benefits of 3D printing in the railway industry.

Come and let us know your thoughts on our Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages, and don’t forget to sign up for our weekly additive manufacturing newsletter to get all the latest stories delivered right to your inbox.

Share:
WhatsApp Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Buffer Reddit E-mail
About the author | Phillip Keane
Phillip is an aerospace engineer from UK. He is a graduate of Coventry University (UK), International Space University (France) and Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), where he studied Advanced Manufacturing at the Singapore Centre for 3D Printing.
Latest posts

Researchers Print Tiny Mushroom Structures to Repel Water Drops

Materials science researchers from Hunan University in China have revealed a new bionic functional surface that achieves programmable and patterned droplet bouncing. The... read more »

News
Researchers Print Tiny Mushroom Structures to Repel Water Drops

UAE Institute Unveils First Locally Developed Metal AM Powder

A new aluminium alloy powder, designed specifically for additive manufacturing, has been unveiled at the AM Conclave conference in Abu Dhabi. The alloy... read more »

3D Printing Metal
UAE Institute Unveils First Locally Developed Metal AM Powder

Stanford Researchers Enable Low Energy Resin Printing Using Photonic Upconversion

At Stanford University's Congreve Lab, researchers Tracy H. Schloemer and Daniel N. Congreve are exploring the practical power of manipulating light's color, with... read more »

Materials
Stanford Researchers Enable Low Energy Resin Printing Using Photonic Upconversion

Paradigm 3D Unveils Dubai’s First 3D Printing Facility for Aerospace Advancements

Paradigm 3D has introduced its advanced 3D printing facility in Dubai, marking an important milestone in the Middle East's additive manufacturing landscape. This... read more »

Aerospace
Paradigm 3D Unveils Dubai's First 3D Printing Facility for Aerospace Advancements

Researchers Develop New Material for More Lifelike Wearables

Engineers and chemists at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and Meta have collaborated to develop a 3D printed material that emulates the properties... read more »

Materials
Researchers Develop New Material for More Lifelike Wearables

Microsoft Unveils 3D Printed Surface Pen Grips for Accessibility

Microsoft is taking a giant leap in its mission to enhance inclusivity and accessibility with the introduction of adaptive 3D printed grips for... read more »

News
Microsoft Unveils 3D Printed Surface Pen Grips for Accessibility

Bioprinted Muscles Can Contract After Just 10 Days of Growth

Researchers at the Terasaki Institute in Los Angeles have pioneered a new approach to advance 3D bioprinted muscle constructs, offering hope for more... read more »

Bioprinting
Bioprinted Muscles Can Contract After Just 10 Days of Growth

Caltech Team Uses AM to Create Virus-sized Structures

Caltech researchers have achieved a significant breakthrough in 3D printing metal objects at the nanoscale, with a size of 150 nanometers, comparable to... read more »

3D Printing Metal
Caltech Team Uses AM to Create Virus-sized Structures

Bambu Lab Releases Smart and Affordable A1 Mini 3D Printer

Bambu Lab has taken the 3D printing community by storm with the official launch of their latest creation, the A1 Mini. In a... read more »

3D Printers
Bambu Lab Releases Smart and Affordable A1 Mini 3D Printer

Paul Scherrer Institute Visualizes Meltpools in 3D

3D printing has revolutionized manufacturing, enabling the creation of intricate shapes and structures. However, when it comes to printing ceramics using lasers, the... read more »

News
Paul Scherrer Institute Visualizes Meltpools in 3D

Social

  • Facebook Facebook 3D Printing
  • Linkedin Linkedin 3D Printing
  • Twitter Twitter 3D Printing
sidebar image
  • Industry MAGNUM Industry MAGNUM
    1500 x 1200 x 1200 mm
    €159.000
    Request a Quote
  • Modix BIG-180X Modix BIG-180X
    1800 x 600 x 600 mm
    from $15,500
    Request a Quote
  • Modix BIG Meter Modix BIG Meter
    1010 x 1010 x 1010 mm
    from $13,500
    Request a Quote
  • Hands-On Review: The Mole 3D Scanner Hands-On Review: The Mole 3D Scanner Learn More
  • Hands-On Review: Anycubic Photon Mono M5s Hands-On Review: Anycubic Photon Mono M5s Learn More

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Fashion
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Industry MAGNUM Industry MAGNUM
    1500 x 1200 x 1200 mm
    €159.000
    Request a Quote
  • Modix BIG-180X Modix BIG-180X
    1800 x 600 x 600 mm
    from $15,500
    Request a Quote
  • Modix BIG Meter Modix BIG Meter
    1010 x 1010 x 1010 mm
    from $13,500
    Request a Quote
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Company Information

  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing

Blog

  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal

Featured Reviews

  • Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
  • Creality Ender 5 S1
  • The Mole 3D Scanner
  • Flashforge Creator 3 Pro

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
2023 — Strikwerda en Dehue
  • Home
  • Join our mailing list
  • Contact us
Blog
  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal
Featured Industries
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
Company Information
  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing
We serve cookies on this site to analyze traffic, remember your preferences, and optimize your experience.
Details
Close