Why Industrial 3D Printing Is More Than a Machine Decision: An Interview with Marina Schreiner of 3D-WERK

3D-WERK Black Forest GmbH, based in St. Georgen in Germany’s Black Forest region, positions itself as a provider of industrial additive manufacturing with a clear focus on practical implementation in production environments. The company does not view 3D printing as an isolated technology, but as part of an end-to-end manufacturing and process chain. Accordingly, its portfolio covers both the design of components and their production, as well as the transition to stable serial manufacturing.

The company employs additive manufacturing processes for low-volume series production of plastic and metal components, as well as selected specialty materials based on ceramics, complemented by engineering services and defined post-processing workflows. The aim is to develop components with serial production in mind from the outset and to manufacture them in a reproducible manner. Design for Additive Manufacturing, component qualification, and a realistic assessment of process limits play a central role in this approach.

Another key focus is knowledge transfer. Through training courses and workshops, 3D-WERK provides hands-on expertise in materials, process parameters, and quality assurance, targeting development, production, and quality teams. In addition, the company supports customers in selecting and evaluating machines and materials. Systems and materials can be tested prior to investment decisions to enable a well-founded assessment of process capability, cost structure, and scalability.

Interview with Marina Schreiner

In the interview with 3Druck.com, CEO and founder Marina Schreiner talks about her experience in the industrial practice of additive manufacturing and explains why the successful use of 3D printing goes far beyond choosing the right machine. She places current industry developments into context and outlines which factors will determine the economic use of additive technologies in the future.

Many companies struggle to transfer additive manufacturing from prototyping to stable serial production. What typical hurdles do you see, and how do your methods and training concepts help close this gap?

Many companies use additive manufacturing successfully for prototyping but encounter typical obstacles when moving toward series production. These include a lack of process stability, insufficient component qualification, limited understanding of materials and processes, and missing integration into existing quality and production structures. 3D printing is also often treated as an isolated technology rather than a holistic manufacturing process.

Our methods address exactly these issues: we structure additive processes to be close to series production from the start, define clear design, process, and quality guidelines, and support industrialization step by step. In addition, our training concepts convey practical knowledge on Design for Additive Manufacturing, process parameter management, and quality assurance. This enables teams to integrate additive manufacturing into stable serial processes in a reproducible, economical, and sustainable way.

Where do you currently see the greatest discrepancies between the performance promises of AM systems and real process capability in terms of component quality, reproducibility, and cost?

The largest discrepancies between the promises of many AM systems and real process capability are evident in three main areas. In terms of component quality, very high surface and tolerance values are often communicated, which in series production can only be achieved with additional post-processing and tightly controlled process windows. With regard to reproducibility, the influence of build position, machine condition, powder or material batches, and environmental conditions is often underestimated, leading to part-to-part variation. From a cost perspective, machine runtimes and material prices are frequently considered in isolation, while the effort required for process development, quality assurance, scrap, rework, and qualification is not sufficiently taken into account. Our experience shows that only a holistic view of technology, process, organization, and qualification allows performance claims to be assessed realistically and AM to be used economically and reliably.

How is the role of traditional mechanical and manufacturing engineers changing with the increasing use of additive processes, and which new skill profiles will be required in development and production?

The growing use of additive processes is significantly changing the role of traditional mechanical and manufacturing engineers. In addition to the classic focus on design, materials, and manufacturing processes, systems thinking and a deep understanding of additive process chains are becoming increasingly important. Engineers must no longer design components solely for manufacturability, but develop them specifically for additive processes and evaluate their interaction with quality, cost, and scalability.

In the future, hybrid skill profiles will be needed that combine design, simulation, materials science, process parameter management, and quality assurance. Data-driven methods, process monitoring, and statistical analysis are also gaining importance in ensuring reproducibility and serial capability. In production, more interdisciplinary roles are required that link development, manufacturing, and quality. Overall, the professional profile is shifting from the pure specialist toward a holistic process and systems engineer.

Looking five years ahead, which developments will most strongly shape industrial 3D printing, and where do you see the greatest opportunities and risks for the industry in the DACH region?

Over the next five years, industrial 3D printing will primarily be shaped by three developments: first, more highly automated and monitored process chains; second, better standardized qualification approaches and data models for verification; and third, hybrid manufacturing concepts in which AM is deliberately combined with processes such as injection molding or machining. At the same time, software—from design automation and simulation to end-to-end traceability—will become a decisive lever for achieving serial production capability.

In the DACH region, the greatest opportunities lie in high value-added applications such as on-demand spare parts, lightweight construction in mobility, medical technology, tooling, and energy- and resource-efficient production. Risks include overly optimistic expectations regarding economic viability, a shortage of skilled workers, and slow standardization, which can hinder industrialization. In addition, competitive pressure from international providers is increasing, making differentiation through quality, process expertise, and certified supply chains increasingly important.

Further information about the company can be found on the 3D-WERK website.