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2005
Conference Paper
Titel
Rapid prototyping and manufacturing - trends and developments in Germany
Abstract
Modern industries depend on collaboration and communication across company and national borders. Especially in knowledge intensive sectors like Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing markets grow beyond those borders quickly. Here system and product developments are carried out in alliances and supplier networks. These collaboration needs are growing to gain major importance for countries like Germany that cannot live on domestic trade only. New trends like individualization of products will play an important part in the technical world of tomorrow challenging current market. In order to realize these paradigm changes, new approaches in production and all related techologies must be implemented. Such a chance gives the Rapid Manufacturing Technology. There however dependable quality and certification resulting in highest requirements on processes and materials is not available yet. In this paper some interesting developments and approaches of German companies and institutes are elaborated. With this Rapid Manufacturing again comes one step closer to being accepted as a reliable tool for economic and ecologic production at highest innovative level.