In the future, parts for marine gear housings could come from the 3D printer instead of a casting house. Lower Saxony research institutes, including the Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH), and companies are jointly developing a 3D printer in the XXL3D printing project, which can produce steel components weighing several tons. The researchers assume that significantly less material and time will be required compared to casting.

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) is funding the project "Energy and resource-efficient production of large-scale products through additive manufacturing using the example of marine gear housings (XXL3D printing)". The project runs until the end of 2021.

To the press release from the Institut für Integrierte Produktion Hannover. Further information can also be found at xxl3d.iph-hannover.de.