Novel functional structures and structural combinations by additive manufacturing

Additive manufacturing methods open the door to a completely new freedom in design. This is due to the fact that components are built up layer by layer, tool-free, and basing only on a CAD file. The present expectations in the field of additive manufacturing can be called a hype. Everybody is talking about "3D Printing". For polymers and for metals several methods and devices for real production of components already exist. Especially for polymers printing devices are available to reasonable costs, also for private use. In the field of ceramic materials the situation is much more differentiated.