The German research initiative Fraunhofer High-Performance Center for Innovation in Additive Manufacturing Hamburg (IAMHH) has awarded €50,000 in funding to each of two research initiatives led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Additive Production Technologies IAPT and the Institute for Industrialization of Smart Materials (ISM) at Hamburg University of Technology. Both projects focus on advancing additive manufacturing (AM) technologies and are open to collaboration with industry stakeholders.
Advancing Industrial-Scale Innovation
As part of its mission to accelerate the transition of research into real-world industrial applications, IAMHH hosts annual pitch events where research teams present novel ideas to a panel of experts. The evaluation process considers the maturity of the project, market potential, resource planning, and the likelihood of successful commercialization—via licensing, patenting, or spin-offs.
The two selected projects emerged from a competitive field of six at the center’s first-ever pitch event, in which sustainability and artificial intelligence were the main focus of the projects.
Winning Projects: AI-Driven Solutions for Reverse Engineering and Aerospace
The first selected project, ReConStruct – 3D Scan to CAD – AM-Ready, addresses key challenges in reverse engineering for additive manufacturing. The project seeks to automate the conversion of 3D scan data into production-ready CAD models by leveraging developments in machine learning, edge computing, and image recognition.
The second project, ADAPT – AI-Driven Aerospace Part Toolkit, was chosen through audience voting. It aims to streamline the creation of finite element (FE) models to accelerate the development and qualification of complex European aerospace components.
In addition to financial support for the winning teams, all teams will receive in-depth feedback from the jury and access to mentorship from experienced industry professionals. “We were looking for innovative ideas for the industrialization of additive manufacturing – and received exceptional pitches from all six teams. For this reason, we are not only supporting the two winning teams but also providing support for all other project ideas through mentoring with an experienced sponsor. We aim to make the transfer to industry successful in the long term,” said Nora Luttmann, Managing Director of the Fraunhofer High-Performance Center IAMHH.
Project Development and Industry Collaboration
The selected projects will run through the end of 2025, with funding dedicated to personnel and material costs. A midterm review is scheduled for October, followed by a final presentation of results in December. Throughout the process, IAMHH experts will support the project teams in shaping future development and commercialization strategies.
Manufacturing companies in Hamburg and the surrounding region are encouraged to explore the potential of these projects for addressing their own AM challenges. Interested parties can reach out to IAMHH or the project teams to learn more or propose collaborative opportunities.
AI Advances in Additive Manufacturing
Alongside IAMHH’s investments in AI-driven research, other companies are increasingly integrating advanced artificial intelligence technologies to enhance workflows.
In July, AMFG, provider of quoting and workflow automation software for high-mix, low-volume manufacturers, presented the Sentinel AI, a new artificial intelligence tool designed to analyse 2D PDF drawings in under three seconds. Described by AMFG as the most advanced, AI-enhanced 2D drawing analysis solution on the market, the tool automates data extraction to speed quoting cycles without sacrificing accuracy. Manufacturers integrating Sentinel into their operations will be able to process engineering drawings more rapidly.
Elsewhere, GKN Aerospace, a global aerospace components manufacturer, integrated Interspectral’s AM Explorer into its Engine Systems Centre of Excellence in Sweden to enhance metal 3D printing workflows. The system uses artificial intelligence to monitor and analyse over 400 data points from Nikon SLM Solutions printers, detecting anomalies during the build process and reducing material waste associated with traditional manufacturing. According to GKN, this move supports sustainability by minimizing failed builds, cutting emissions, and shortening lead times.
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Featured image shows Fraunhofer High-Performance Center IAMHH Awards €100,000 to Two Additive Manufacturing Projects. Photo via IAMHH.
