Why did GF Machining Solutions bet on metal additive manufacturing?

In recent years, metal additive manufacturing has taken an important place in the global 3D technology market: there has been a growth in the number of manufacturers of machines, stronger alloys and materials have emerged, software that optimizes the entire design process is available, etc. The final objective of these initiatives is to democratize its use and support companies in the implementation of reliable and sustainable technology, most often in addition to their subtractive manufacturing solutions. This is the mission of GF Machining Solutions, one of the divisions of the Swiss company Georg Fischer. It has turned to metal additive manufacturing a few years ago now and has developed an entire optimized value chain, mastering all stages of manufacturing, from design, printing to post-processing . We met Ralf Loettgen, Head of Additive Technologies at GF Machining Solutions to learn more about the group’s mission and future projects.

3DN: Can you present yourself and your connection to additive manufacturing?

Hello, Ralf Loettgen, Head of Additive Technologies, which is part of GF Machining Solutions’ Business Unit ‘Advanced Manufacturing’.

Ralf Loettgen

I have been working for GF Machining Solutions since 1993 and have been able to take advantage of its broad portfolio of machining technologies, allowing me to work in Electric Discharge Machining (EDM), before moving on to high-speed and high-performance milling and automation. I have also played an important role in managing Step-Tec’s Spindle production, and since 2015, have been responsible for additive manufacturing. Having followed the technology’s progress for quite a while, it was natural for me to accept the challenge of bringing additive manufacturing into GF Machining Solutions when the opportunity came up a few years ago.