Innovations in focus The Rapid.Tech 3D brings printed defense technology into play

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Messe Erfurt GmbH

GGB Heilbronn GmbH

Efforts are increasing in the defense sector. 3D printing can solve some problems there, as the Rapid.Tech 3D in Erfurt will demonstrate.

Last year, the market for Additive Manufacturing (AM) recorded modest growth, according to the latest Ampower Report. However, one area stands out from the rather calm sea with a more dynamic swirl: projects for the defense sector. Therefore, a session of the "Innovations in AM" forum on May 15, 2025, at Rapid.Tech 3D in Erfurt will focus on the current developments in this field, as the trade fair organizer informs. But since 2023, AM topics for the military sector have already been on the fair's agenda. As stated, the exhibits also enjoy high approval. And due to the current global political situation, a further boost for additive manufacturing in connection with defense technology is to be expected. In Erfurt, experts from Airbus, Diehl, and Hensoldt will present current projects from this sector.

This is what can be learned about defense at Rapid.Tech 3D:

Before the session in the specialist forum, Dr. Remzi Ecmel Ece, manager in the additive manufacturing department at Turkish Aerospace, will speak in the keynote of the final day of Rapid.Tech 3D about the path and vision of Turkish aerospace, which he will illustrate using aircraft structures as an example. The company is also among the hundred largest global players in this field.

And Hensoldt is considered a pioneer in innovation in security and defense electronics. The company has successfully integrated additive manufacturing into its production processes while advancing developments for additive electronics. Jörg Sander, ALM expert for electronic devices at Hensoldt Sensors, will therefore talk about the series deployment of 3D printing in products mostly used in the defense sector and the support of small series production. Trends for the use of future AM technology for defense electronics will also be presented, it is said.

Custom material concepts using laser-based powder bed fusion also lead to high-quality defense products. This is the topic of Frank Palm, Senior Expert Metallic Materials, Processes, and Advanced Manufacturing for Innovative Lightweight Structures at Airbus Central Research & Technology. Together with Markus Bähr, Head of the Department for Chemical and Structural Materials at Diehl Defence, he will demonstrate that additive manufacturing offers new possibilities to produce military systems that are both more efficient and cost-effective. For example, future guided missiles need to withstand extreme mechanical and thermal stresses while being very corrosion-resistant. Aluminum high-performance material concepts thus play their advantages over titanium or ultra-high-strength steels. In combination with laser powder bed fusion, tailored components for high-performance guided missiles and other systems could be created.

Further information events cover other AM topics

The "Innovations in AM" forum, in addition to the defense technology topics, also covers the use of additive manufacturing methods for medicine in another session. Furthermore, additional forums of the Rapid.Tech 3D congress provide insights into the latest AM developments and applications. On the first day, forums such as the VDMA forum "AM4industry," the Aerospace Forum, and the quality-approved Scientific Forum invite participants, according to Messe Erfurt. On the second day, the forums on Chemistry & Process Engineering, Electronics & Components, and Mobility are on the program. In addition, information on Energy Technology & Hydrogen as well as Software, AI & Design, along with "Innovations in AM," spice up the final day.