In December 2021, an Arburg freeformer 300-3x was put into operation at the DITF. This will be used to investigate additive manufacturing with or on textiles. The acquisition was funded by ERDF and the state of Baden-Württemberg.
The processing of up to three different materials in one 3D printed structure on textiles enables hard-soft transitions. In this process, the 3D printer processes thermoplastics directly as granules without the detour via printing filaments or powders, so that even very soft or sensitive materials can be processed.
Projects for orthoses individually adapted to patients ("textile AFO") and for sustainability in workplace safety with additive lignin processing on personal protective equipment ("LiCoGlo") have been started.
