KraussMaffei adds additive manufacturing, sustainability to strategic focus

For the first time, KraussMaffei (Munich, Germany), a 184-year-old mechanical engineering company, has exhibited large-scale 3D printing systems for industrial use at this year’s K show in Düsseldorf, Germany. Additive manufacturing (AM) will now complement its existing product portfolio (injection molding, extrusion and reaction process machinery) as a fourth pillar. 

Using its AM machines to produce high-volume, large, complex plastic components and small parts with high surface qualities and detailed print resolutions, KraussMaffei’s customers are now able to benefit from low total unit cost per part. The machines are supplied as complete solutions that are said to guarantee absolute process stability and part quality. They do not require expensive test prints, which enables customers to achieve significant material and cost savings, according to the company.

“Additive manufacturing ideally complements our existing portfolio,” KraussMaffei CEO Dr. Michael Ruf says. “Thanks to our extensive expertise in materials and manufacturing processes, we are able to produce highly efficient 3D printers that offer our customers added value from day one.”

In addition, KraussMaffei has positioned itself at one pioneering a circular economy (CE) in the plastics industry. At the K Show, a complete CE cycle is display, in which a high-quality automotive part is produced from recyclate. With its modern recycling technology, KraussMaffei, which itself aims to achieve a corporate carbon footprint of zero by 2030 and thus operate its plants in a completely climate-neutral manner, is making an important contribution to avoiding plastic waste.

“Sustainability and innovation are two mega topics of our industry. They are therefore at the heart of our corporate and product strategy. We are making plastic green with maximum efficiency and quality,” Ruf adds. “We want to be a one-stop solution provider for our customers in all aspects of plastics processing, just as they have known KraussMaffei for many years. With our consulting, our products and our service, we want to make them fit for a successful, efficient, digital and, above all, sustainable future. To do this, they need innovative and holistic solutions across the entire product life cycle.”

KraussMaffei is also presenting its new mid-market solutions, powerMolding and precisionMolding. The injection molding machine series combine high power density with economical production. precisionMolding, an all-electric injection molding machine, offers high energy efficiency. powerMolding offers the KraussMaffei BluePower servo drive as standard and thus, depending on the application, up to 40% improved energy efficiency than comparable standard injection molding machines.