3D Printing
News Videos Newsletter Contact us
Home / News / Huge XXL3DDruck Machine Can Print 3.2 kg of Steel Per Hour
Join our mailing list

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Huge XXL3DDruck Machine Can Print 3.2 kg of Steel Per Hour

May 2, 2023

Scientists from the Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH) have collaborated with partners to develop a giant 3D printer that can produce steel components weighing several tons. The project, called “XXL3DDruck,” aims to produce XXL components in a more resource-efficient way, reducing the use of materials and energy compared to traditional manufacturing methods.

The printer uses laser-assisted arc deposition welding, a high-performance additive process method for metals, achieving high mass throughput. The consortium can churn out up to 3.2 kilograms of steel per hour with the printer.

Housings for marine gearboxes
Housings for marine gearboxes like this could be printed in future. (Image credit: REINTJES GmbH)

The XXL printer has an installation space of 3 x 4.5 meters and is used for research and development purposes only (so far). It uses laser-assisted arc deposition welding, a process that can reduce material and weight usage because components can be redesigned and optimized, with hollow walls, for example.

The project participants aim to reduce the weight of a ship gearbox housing by several tons through additive manufacturing. The long-term goal for production is to reduce manufacturing and procurement time and save raw materials such as steel by reducing the amount of material used per housing.

The project was funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and managed by REINTJES GmbH. The LZH was responsible for the development of the process technology, and EILHAUER Maschinenbau GmbH took over the plant engineering of the XXL 3D printer. TEWISS – Technik und Wissen GmbH was responsible for building the print head and controlling the printer, and the IPH – Institut für Integrierte Produktion Hannover gemeinnützige GmbH developed an inline measurement technology for process monitoring.

This development could have significant implications for industries that require large-scale components, such as shipbuilding and aerospace, because as we know, less structural mass equals less fuel needed, and this is good for ships as well as planes.

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 Create New Method for 3D Printing Bridge

Researchers from institutes in Germany and the Netherlands have been working on a method of creating complex geometries in construction. The end result... read more »

Construction
Researchers Create New Method for 3D Printing Bridge

New Material Advances 3D Printed Bone Replacements

Daniel Bomze, Director of Medical Solutions at Lithoz, discussed their novel Lithabone HA 480 material for 3D printed bone replacements in a recent... read more »

Materials
New Material Advances 3D Printed Bone Replacements

Nanoparticle Visualization through 3D Printing

Anne Bentley, an associate professor at Lewis & Clark College, has pioneered a method to visually represent nanoparticles using 3D printed models. Nanoparticles,... read more »

News
Nanoparticle Visualization through 3D Printing

OZRUH 3D Prints Furniture from Recyclable Quartz Sand

London-based architectural design studio OZRUH recently unveiled the PRIMITIVES [1] furniture collection, uniquely crafted from 3D printed quartz sand. This material choice reflects... read more »

News
OZRUH 3D Prints Furniture from Recyclable Quartz Sand

Understanding Solute Trapping in 3D Printing

A recent study led by researchers at Queen Mary University of London offers insights into the solute transport and solidification mechanisms in additive... read more »

News
Understanding Solute Trapping in 3D Printing

Researchers Study Use of Graphene Oxide in 3D Printed Concrete

A collaborative study by RMIT University and the University of Melbourne has explored the impact of graphene oxide on 3D printed concrete. This... read more »

Construction
Researchers Study Use of Graphene Oxide in 3D Printed Concrete

Oerlikon to Relocate AM Business to North Carolina

Oerlikon, headquartered in Switzerland, is set to realign its additive manufacturing business by consolidating its AM production in Huntersville, North Carolina, USA. This... read more »

3D Printing Metal
Oerlikon to Relocate AM Business to North Carolina

3D Printed Xchair: Merging Ergonomics and Metaverse Aesthetics

Artist Ben Elliot and 3D printing specialists Nagami have unveiled the Xchair, a lounge chair that marries ergonomics with metaverse aesthetics. This piece... read more »

Art
3D Printed Xchair: Merging Ergonomics and Metaverse Aesthetics

SWISSto12 and Thales Join Forces for Advanced Antenna Technology

SWISSto12, a Swiss-based company specializing in additively manufactured antenna and RF systems, is collaborating with French firm Thales to develop Active Electronically Steerable... read more »

3D Printing Metal
SWISSto12 and Thales Join Forces for Advanced Antenna Technology

Social

  • Facebook Facebook 3D Printing
  • Linkedin Linkedin 3D Printing
  • Modix BIG-120Z Modix BIG-120Z
    600 x 600 x 1200 mm
    from $7,500
    Request a Quote
  • Modix BIG Meter Modix BIG Meter
    980 x 1000 x 1000 mm
    from $13,500
    Request a Quote
  • Modix BIG-180X Modix BIG-180X
    1800 x 600 x 600 mm
    from $15,500
    Request a Quote
  • Modix BIG-120X Modix BIG-120X
    1200 x 600 x 660 mm
    from $7,500
    Request a Quote
  • Modix BIG-60 Modix BIG-60
    600 x 600 x 660 mm
    from $4,900
    Request a Quote
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Fashion
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Anycubic Photon M5S

    • - Print size: 218 x 123 x 200 mm
    • - 19 micron print accuracy
    More details »
    $599.99 Amazon
    Buy Now
  • Creality K1

    • - Print size: 220 x 220 x 250 mm
    • - fully enclosed
    More details »
    $519.00 Amazon
    Buy Now
  • Bambu Lab X1 Carbon AMS Combo

    • - Print size: 256 x 256 x 256 mm
    • - fully enclosed
    More details »
    $1,499.00 MatterHackers
    Buy Now
  • Best 3D Printers 2023 – Buyers Guide

    Best 3D Printers 2023 – Buyers Guide

    View Post
  • 3D Printers for Beginners

    3D Printers for Beginners

    View Post

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