On the occasion of Professor Gerd Witt’s 70th birthday, the MRTC hosted an honorary colloquium at the Fraunhofer-inHaus-Center entitled “Additive Manufacturing in Duisburg - Pioneering Spirit, Transformation, and Future Perspectives.” The event honored his outstanding contributions to research, teaching, and industry. Professors and experts from research institutions and industry across Germany shared their insights, offering diverse perspectives on the development and future of additive manufacturing.

On September 3, 2026, we received the funding approval notice for the “D3AM Field Lab” project at Duisburg City Hall. The project is funded as part of the 5-Standorte-Programm (Five Locations Programme) of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Under the leadership of PD Dr.-Ing. habil. Stefan Kleszczynski, the D3AM Field Lab serves as a knowledge and technology transfer infrastructure connecting research and industry in the field of Additive Manufacturing. The project aims to provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with access to modern 3D printing technologies and to support the testing, design, and optimization of additive manufacturing processes. Furthermore, it seeks to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry and advance the development of resource-efficient manufacturing processes. We are pleased to have received funding approval and look forward to the launch of this forward-looking project!

The Chair of Manufacturing Technology welcomes Florian Eibl as a new professor at the University of Duisburg-Essen. After completing his studies in mechanical engineering at TU Darmstadt, he earned his doctorate at RWTH Aachen University in the field of metal additive manufacturing. During this time, he also worked at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology (ILT). In 2018, he joined Aconity3D GmbH, where he initially headed research and development before becoming a member of the executive management team. Since December 2025, he has been heading the Chair of Manufacturing Technology. His research focuses particularly on laser-based additive manufacturing of metallic materials and intelligent process monitoring.

We warmly welcome Prof. Eibl and look forward to working together!

On June 27, 2026, we will open our facilities at the Duisburg campus and offer exciting insights into the research and development activities of the Chair of Manufacturing Technology. Experience modern manufacturing technology up close: from Additive Manufacturing to advanced analytical methods. Explore our laboratories, see machines and equipment in operation and talk directly with our researchers about current research projects.

This year’s Chair excursion took the Manufacturing Technology team to a blacksmithing workshop, where participants had the opportunity to forge their own knives or candle holders. In addition to the hands-on activities and a relaxed get-together over good food, a tour along the Wupper River rounded off the day.