COCAM: Ruhr University Bochum builds bridge between industry and 3D printing

Additive manufacturing is regarded in many industries as an established option for complex components, but in practice it often fails due to high entry barriers. Expensive equipment, specialized software, and a lack of skilled personnel slow its use from prototype production through to small series. With the Center of Competence Additive Manufacturing (COCAM), the Ruhr University Bochum aims to close this gap and support companies in adopting industrial 3D printing.

Aerospace, medical technology, the automotive industry, traditional mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering in particular are already using the technology for function-ready prototypes, spare parts, and series components. “Nevertheless, it has not yet become widespread in industry,” notes Prof. Dr. Jan T. Sehrt from COCAM.

Alongside investment costs, he cites a lack of standards, unclear norms, and insufficient quality assurance as key obstacles. For reproducible production, defined process chains and robust inspection concepts are necessary.

In recent years, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering has built up experience along the entire process chain – from component design and process parameters through to post-processing. COCAM offers feasibility studies and development projects that combine product concept, design for additive manufacturing, process optimization, quality assurance, downstream manufacturing steps, and economic evaluation.

“Our services cover various materials such as metal and polymer. We optimize processes, automate production, analyze and test components, support small-series production, and assess economic viability,” says Jan T. Sehrt.

On the technical side, the center has, among other things, several powder-bed-based laser and electron beam systems, directed energy deposition systems, an inert-gas atomization unit for producing its own metal powders, robot-assisted 3D printing and post-processing solutions, as well as extensive materials analysis capabilities. In addition, training and workshop rooms are available to qualify specialists directly on the equipment.

For companies that want to integrate additive manufacturing into existing production structures beyond isolated cases, COCAM thus acts as an interface between research and application. The goal is to reduce entry risks, identify robust business models, and establish 3D printing as a regular building block in the industrial process landscape.