Concept Laser breaks ground on new Additive Manufacturing centre
December 1, 2017
GE and Concept Laser have broken ground on a new ‘3D Campus’ in Lichtenfels, Germany (Courtesy GE)
GE and Concept Laser have broken ground on a new ‘3D Campus’ in Lichtenfels, Germany. According to the companies, the 3D Campus will unite research and development along with production, service, and logistics. The new offices are expected to be ready for move-in in early 2019, and will offer 40,000 m2 meters of working space for about 500 employees.
Future machine production capacity is expected to be four times higher than today, making Concept Laser’s Lichtenfels facility a global GE centre for the production of metal Additive Manufacturing systems. It was stated that around €105 million will be invested into the location.
The 3D Campus is expected to accommodate the strong growth of Concept Laser in recent years and make room for further expansions. Frank Herzog stated, Founder and Chairman & CEO of Concept Laser, stated, “We are not only laying the foundation for a new facility, but also creating skilled jobs in the region. Lichtenfels will become a global beacon for industrial 3D printing as the new GE centre”.
Ilse Aigner, Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs and Media, Energy, and Technology, commented during the groundbreaking, “The 3D Campus will create a centre for 3D metal printing that offers real added value for the whole of Bavaria. 3D printing is becoming more prevalent in almost all sectors because it allows lighter, more variable and more stable components to be produced using fewer resources.”
