The Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (IFAM) in Dresden has expanded its electron beam powder bed fusion (PBF-EB) capabilities with the installation of a Calibur 3 system from UK-based Wayland Additive. The new system utilizes the company’s proprietary NeuBeam process, which enables charge-neutral powder processing and sets itself apart from conventional PBF-EB technologies.
Unlike traditional electron beam methods, where electrostatic charging can impair process stability, NeuBeam allows for controlled and repeatable processing of highly reactive materials. These include alloys based on titanium, tantalum, or tungsten, which are essential for demanding applications in aerospace, medical technology, and energy systems. An additional benefit is the easier removal of excess powder, reducing post-processing effort.
“We see Calibur 3 as a major step forward in expanding our research portfolio in next-generation additive manufacturing,” says Prof. Thomas Weißgärber, Director of Fraunhofer IFAM Dresden. “It enables our teams to work on innovative solutions that span from materials development to intelligent process control.”
The system has been integrated into the Innovation Center Additive Manufacturing (ICAM) at Fraunhofer IFAM, which already features extensive infrastructure for powder metallurgy, process simulation, and materials analysis. With the Calibur 3, research will now focus particularly on the development of novel material concepts, resource-efficient production methods, and digital process control approaches using simulation and machine learning.
“Fraunhofer IFAM Dresden is an ideal partner for advancing the NeuBeam technology platform,” says Peter Hansford, Chief Revenue Officer at Wayland Additive. “Their combined expertise in materials science, simulation, and application engineering is essential for scaling up this technology.”
The acquisition is part of the INNO-EB project, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). A deeper collaboration with Wayland Additive has also been agreed upon. The shared goal is to jointly advance the industrial maturity of NeuBeam technology and explore new applications that combine high-performance additive manufacturing with sustainability objectives.
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