Lightweight Construction, Material Processing, Additive and Digital Manufacturing
Lightweight construction, as well as the development and processing of materials, are important components of industrial value creation. Companies in the Leipzig region from the automotive, construction, mechanical engineering or aerospace industries benefit from the innovative strengths of the Free State of Saxony. It is one of the leading German locations in this field.
The further processing of semi-finished products in the plastics and metal sector into industrial finished parts is an important competitive factor for companies. The Kunststoff-Zentrum (KUZ), Plastics Centre, supports companies in the conversion of moulded parts into lightweight components and in the development of new materials and thus opens up new fields of application.
Companies in Focus
Plastics Centre in Leipzig GmbH (KUZ)
The respected research, technology, testing and further education institution has extensive know-how in the processing of thermoplastics and polyurethane. Current research focal points include the subject of lightweight construction using thermoplastic foam injection moulding (metal replacement plastics). KUZ develops processes for lightweight construction solutions, as well as concepts for customer-specific components.
GF Casting Solutions, Leipzig
Since 1995 GF Casting Solutions AG has operated its foundry with Europe's largest moulding chamber for machine-moulded iron castings. The Leipzig site produces machine-moulded iron castings for commercial vehicles, off-highway vehicles (e.g. construction machinery, agricultural and forestry machinery), mechanical engineering and the renewable energy sector.
3D-Metall Theobald e.K., Leipzig
The start-up 3D-Metall Theobald e.K. from Leipzig produces prototypes, spare parts and small series.
Innovation centers
The manufactured prototypes, spare parts or small series in various plastics and metals are also in demand in Leipzig. Rapidobject and DICK & DICK Laserschneid- und Systemtechnik are long-standing industry pioneers in Leipzig. The startup 3D-Metall Theobald offers rapid prototyping and AM production services for mechanical and apparatus engineering as well as design and jewellery. In addition, GF Casting Solutions manufactures 3D-printed metal components in its „AMotion Center“, primarily for companies in the automotive, mechanical engineering, aerospace and energy sectors, not only in the region but also internationally.
The Co-Creation Lab (CCL) “Additive Fertigung“ (Additive Manufacturing) of the Saxony5 university network focuses on the 3D printing of metal, ceramics and plastics using laser-based processes. CCL's work also focuses on the integration of IT-based industry 4.0 systems in additive processes, and the Leipzig University of Applied Sciences (HTWK) is involved as a partner. The university has a long tradition in the field of mechanical engineering, involving not only machine tools, 3D printing and production lines, but also robotics, automation and digitalisation. In this context, participation in the international RoboCup Soccer League has become a tradition for the HTWK's Nao team.
