The cooperation is intended to help integrate AM into the manufacturing process and enable companies to use this technology in their production. The open cluster also includes academic institutions (TUM) that research and teach in the field of AM. The cluster also includes regulatory authorities that monitor and regulate the use of this technology in the individual industries. The cluster will be open to further participants in the future.

"By bundling all players in a single hub, we are driving the development and application of the technology for various industries," explains Prof. Dr. Michael Süß, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Oerlikon Group. "The project is an outstanding example of close cooperation between industry, science and politics to drive the industrialization of a technology such as additive manufacturing with innovations," says Dr. Roland Fischer, CEO of the Oerlikon Group. "AM is a technology that supports our goal of offering sustainable solutions for all industries."

With additive manufacturing technology, also known as 3D printing, metal components can be produced in a "layer-by-layer" manufacturing process. TUM, Oerlikon, GE Additive and Linde each perform different tasks in the additive manufacturing process. Additive manufacturing completely changes the production process. It requires a rethink in every aspect of manufacturing - supply chain, production, employee training, quality testing, product validation and regulation.

Jason Oliver, President and CEO of GE Additive: "Bavaria already enjoys an excellent reputation as a global hotspot for additive manufacturing - with a thriving ecosystem and an extensive talent pool. We are proud to be part of this initiative from the very beginning. We look forward to building on this strong partnership and making a tangible impact both for the region itself and beyond."

"We see this opportunity for collaboration as a win-win for the companies and TUM, as well as for the region," said Dr. Christian Bruch, Executive Vice President & CEO Linde Engineering. "We expect the new hub to create jobs in the region while providing new technologies and capabilities for the companies based here."

New Institute for Additive Manufacturing
As one of the first initiatives of the AM cluster, Oerlikon and TUM are establishing a new research institute. The Institute for Additive Manufacturing will focus on interdisciplinary research in the fields of metal powder, optimized AM production and holistic process integration, including automation and AM digitization. Oerlikon engineers and scientists will work closely with researchers and students from various TUM faculties (mainly mechanical engineering, but also chemical engineering, physics and computer science) to investigate all aspects of AM research and production. This also includes the verification and qualification of products and the development of new AM business models. "The prerequisite for the industrialization of additive manufacturing processes is the integrative cooperation of powerful partners from industry and science," explains Prof. Dr. Thomas Hofmann, President of TUM. "This is the only way we can overcome technological hurdles and answer open questions about standardization." as