Press & Media Archives - BigRep Industrial 3D Printers

BigRep Turns Up The Heat With HAGE3D Acquisition

January 4, 2024November 7, 2023

Reinhard Festag (Managing Director, BigRep), Matthias Katschnig (CTO, HAGE3D), Sven Thate (Managing Director, BigRep), and Thomas Janics (CEO, HAGE3D) at Formnext 2023.

In our quest to offer exceptional Additive Manufacturing technology, solutions and expand our capabilities, today marks a monumental day in the history of BigRep as we announce the acquisition of HAGE3D. This partnership signals a giant leap toward our vision of becoming a full-solution ecosystem for a range of low to high-temperature applications, offering a powerhouse of innovation and possibilities.

The collaborative path with HAGE3D will unlock new opportunities in the industrial 3D printing landscape. Together, we offer a comprehensive portfolio of industrial 3D printers, featuring up to one cubic meter build volume and the capabilities of a wide range of high-performance, engineering-grade thermoplastic materials in low, mid, and high-temperature build chambers.

Redrawing the AM Landscape

HAGE3D, renowned for its high-temperature 3D printers and open AM platform, will empower BigRep to offer a full spectrum of low-to-high-temperature solutions. The acquisition is built on a foundation of extensive technological synergies, data-driven innovation, exceptional customer experiences, and an ambitious expansion plan, further strengthening BigRep's position in the industry and extending our market reach.

The Collabosphere, a 3D printed demonstration of the joined forces of BigRep and HAGE3D with a wide range of materials from both companies, seen here at Formnext 2023.

The Acquisition Disrupts Existing Possibilities

Both companies are committed to the development of intelligent FFF technology, making the production of complex, large-format functional parts accessible to manufacturers worldwide.

Dr.‐Ing. Sven Thate, Managing Director of BigRep GmbH, expressed his excitement about the merger, highlighting how it positions BigRep as the AM market continues to grow dynamically. The 3D printing world is driven by megatrends such as digitization and decentralization of manufacturing and BigRep, with the addition of HAGE3D, is well-prepared to capture this opportunity.

Dr.‐Ing. Sven Thate, Managing Director of BigRep GmbH, elaborated:

“For our worldwide customers, this acquisition makes us their local provider of open industrial AM solutions across all temperature levels, unlocking limitless material options. Together, with similar mindsets of customer-centric, data-driven innovation, we plan to form a European leader pushing the limits of what is possible with FFF.”

The BigRep PRO and the BigRep SHIELD

The HAGE3D MEX ONE

Thomas Janics, Managing Director of HAGE3D, emphasized the global growth opportunities enabled by HAGE3D's high-temperature FFF platforms expanding BigRep's material portfolio and large-format AM solutions. Complementing its current low‐temperature and energy‐conscious large format AM platforms, this will open a broad spectrum of new applications and markets.

Thomas Janics, Managing Director of HAGE3D, explained:

“With BigRep we have found a perfect partner to accelerate the attractive global growth opportunities in the industrial AM sector. While our focus was previously on the German‐speaking markets, we now can provide our products globally through BigRep´s sales network, adding Graz to the map of technology centers next to BigRep’s in Berlin, Boston, Shanghai, and Singapore. It’s a win‐win in R&D, production, and sales. Therefore, we jointly look forward to an innovative, unique, and successful future together.”

Joining Forces for Innovation

With more than 1,000 large-scale 3D printers already in operation across various industrial sectors, BigRep has earned its reputation with its expertise in large-scale Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). The German-engineered 3D printers empower engineers, designers, and manufacturers, spanning from startups to Fortune 100 corporations, to expedite the transition from prototyping to production, ensuring their products reach the market promptly.

On the other hand, HAGE3D is an advanced engineering company with 40 years of experience in large-format, special-purpose machine building. Their state-of-the-art large-format mid- and high-temperature 3D printing systems are known for their precision and reliability. Fully assembled in Austria using industrial-quality components, these machines perform consistently across a wide range of industries and applications.

By forming an alliance with HAGE3D, BigRep is poised to expedite innovation and redefine manufacturing practices. This integration is underpinned by a fully integrated open AM business model, promising to offer users a replete solution.

As BigRep and HAGE3D come together, we will continue to push the limits of what is possible with FFF technology, accessing a world of opportunities in large-format, open additive manufacturing.

Find out more at https://bigrep.com/press-media/

About the author:

Natasha Mathew

Copywriter

Natasha Mathew enjoys trying new things and one of them she’s currently obsessed with is 3D printing. Her passion for explaining complex concepts in simple terms and her knack for storytelling led her to be a writer. In her 7 years of experience, she has covered just about any topic under the sun. When she’s not carefully weighing her words, she’s reading, crafting, spinning, and adventuring. And when asked about herself, she writes in the third person.

Koehler Group Promotes Innovations and Lends MakerSpace a Large Format 3D Printer from BigRep

December 28, 2022December 22, 2022

Koehler Group has been providing support for start‐ups for a number of years. In line with this, the company recently announced a strategic partnership with UnternehmerTUM, Europe's leading center for business creation and innovation, which was founded by Susanne Klatten in 2002. As part of this start‐up collaboration, Koehler Invest has now loaned a BigRep PRO 3D printer to UnternehmerTUM’s MakerSpace for one year. BigRep is one of the world’s leading companies in the field of large‐format 3D printing, which can be used to speed up innovation processes, and boost flexibility and digitalization in production processes.

Inspiration for the Next Generation of Inventors and Start‐Ups

MakerSpace from UnternehmerTUM is a high‐tech workshop with locations in Garching and Munich, which provides students, professionals, start‐ups, and independent entrepreneurs with access to innovative production technologies. The BigRep PRO 3D printer will be located at the Munich Urban Colab following in the footsteps of the BigRep ONE, which can be found on the UnternehmerTUM campus in Garching.

Kai Furler, CEO of the Koehler Group, emphasized:

“With the new strategic partnership with UnternehmerTUM, our goal is to support and promote pioneering innovations, particularly in our core business areas of paper and renewable energies. The large‐format 3D‐printer from BigRep will prove an invaluable tool for new product innovations from start‐ups.”

Facilitating Production of Prototypes and Small Series

Koehler Group purchased the BigRep PRO and has lent it to Makerspace free of charge for a year. The system, which was developed for industrial applications, enables the production of prototypes as well as larger batches of parts, and gives inventors and developers the opportunity to develop and bring technologies to market more quickly. Previous spin‐offs from MakerSpace include Curfboard who make surfskateboards, vertical farming from Agrilution, and unmanned aircraft from HORYZN. The BigRep PRO gives start‐ups the opportunity to break new ground and find answers to some of the most pressing questions of today.

Dr. Sven Thate, Managing Director of BigRep explains:

“Product and development cycles are getting shorter and shorter. At the same time, products are becoming increasingly agile, continually improving, and being made ready for the market thanks to fast iterations. Our large‐format solutions for additive production offer the flexibility to print prototypes and molds, e.g. for manufacturing carbon fiber‐ reinforced parts, as well as production tools and small series for market launch.”

The BigRep PRO offers a variety of automated functions for easy, fast, and high‐quality production of large plastic parts, both with bio‐based and fiber‐reinforced materials. MakerSpace provides start‐ups and inventors with a professional infrastructure to turn their own ideas into prototypes in a short time frame.

Florian Küster, managing director at MakerSpace GmbH from UnternehmerTUM says:

“The facilities save teams time and money in development, which reduces the risks for new start‐ups. Koehler successfully supports our innovations ecosystem and, with the BigRep PRO, we are particularly pleased with the latest addition to large‐format 3D printing in our machine pool.”

On December 16, the 3D printer was officially handed over to MakerSpace for a year with representatives of all parties in attendance. Learn more about the BigRep PRO here.

About the Koehler Group

The Koehler Group was founded in 1807 and has been family‐run from that moment to the present day. The group's core business activity lies in the development and production of high‐quality specialty paper. This includes—among others—thermal paper, playing card board, drinks coasters, fine paper, carbonless paper, recycled paper, decor paper, wood pulp board, sublimation papers, and also innovative specialty papers for the packaging industry since 2019. In Germany, the Koehler Group employs around 2,500 people across five production sites, with three additional sites in the USA. The group operates internationally, with an export share of 70% in 2021, and brings in an annual turnover of around 1 billion euros.

As an energy‐intensive company, Koehler invests in renewable energy projects such as wind energy, hydropower, photovoltaics, and biomass with its Koehler Renewable Energy business unit. The Koehler Group has set a goal of producing more energy from renewable sources by 2030 than is required for its paper production operations.

In addition, with its Koehler Innovative Solutions business unit, Koehler is dedicated to developing new business areas outside of special paper production and energy production.

Find more information at: https://www.koehler.com

About BigRep

A global leader in large‐format FFF 3D printing, BigRep strives to transform user productivity and creativity with easy‐to‐use additive manufacturing solutions. To help companies accelerate innovation and rethink manufacturing, BigRep’s German‐engineered 3D printers enable engineers, designers, and manufacturers from start‐ups to fortune 100 companies to go from prototyping to production faster, getting their products to market first. Through collaborations with strategic partners – including BASF, Bosch Rexroth, Etihad Airways, and Deutsche Bahn – BigRep continues to develop complete additive manufacturing solutions comprising industrial 3D printers, software, advanced materials, and services. Founded in 2014, BigRep is headquartered in Berlin with offices and technical centers in Boston, Singapore, and Shanghai.

About MakerSpace

MakerSpace is a publicly accessible high‐tech workshop, which gives ambitious start‐ups, self‐starters, and creatives access to machines, tools, and software, as well as a creative community. The workshop opened in 2015 as a subsidiary of UnternehmerTUM, Europe’s Largest Center for Innovation and Business Creation, and provides a space where ideas and innovations can be brought to life in the form of prototypes and small series. There are different working areas available, including machine, metal, and wood workshops, as well as textile and electronics processing areas. With 3D printers, laser cutters, and water jet cutting machines, new molds can be produced and all materials processed. MakerSpace offers training and consulting services as well as events for members to provide support and networking opportunities.

MakerSpace has two sites, with 1500 m² at the Garching research campus and, since 2021, 1200 m² at the Munich Urban Colab start‐up center, in the heart of Munich’s creative quarter.

Find out more at https://maker‐space.de/presse/

BigRep Introduces BigRep FLOW, an End-to-End Solution for Production Aids

May 12, 2022May 5, 2022

BigRep FLOW is a new customizable SaaS solution that makes application engineering for 3D printed jigs, fixtures, and manufacturing aids easier than ever, with no design skills or 3D printing experience required.

WORKFLOW AUTOMATION FOR PARTS THAT WORK

Berlin, Germany, May 5, 2022: BigRep, the global leader in large-format 3D printing solutions, launches its new workflow for automated application engineering: BigRep FLOW.

BigRep FLOW is a new Software as a Service (SaaS) product enabling anyone to create customized, 3D printable factory tooling with just a few clicks; no experience is required in 3D printing or 3D design. Much more than just design automation, BigRep FLOW automates the entire application engineering process for you with a customized app to produce ready-to-use tooling.

FROM YOUR NEEDS TO A CUSTOMIZED SOLUTION

Since every customer's needs are unique, the initial step is BigRep's engineering team to learn more about the customer's application. Together with the client, BigRep determines feasibility based on user-defined benchmarks and qualifications to launch the development phase. Feedback and development iterations result in a custom BigRep FLOW Application generating 3D printable tooling that consistently gets the job done. With BigRep FLOW, all design configurations are optimized for 3D printing speed and success, plus reduced material costs. Customers get the tools they need; faster, cheaper, and more accessible than ever.

In addition to a custom app, BigRep FLOW includes a collection of sample apps to produce a range of factory aids and tools. Available developed apps include transporters and organizers like customized trays, boxes, storage dividers, and shadow boards. Tooling apps and factory aids such as soft jaws, assembly jigs, and product twisters instantly let anyone create complex parts.

NO TRAINING IS REQUIRED TO CREATE CUSTOM TOOLS

BigRep FLOW is accessible across platforms, including mobile devices. Each custom BigRep FLOW App requires virtually no training as the user experience is straightforward and streamlined. Users log in to their BigRep FLOW account to access an App Library, which includes their custom apps as well as free sample apps. After opening the appropriate app (for example, a fixture configurator), the user uploads a 3D file of their existing part, for which BigRep FLOW then generates the custom fixture. The user easily configures the parameters within seconds. With a single click within the app, they can order their printed tools or start production on an in-house BigRep 3D printer.

THE FUTURE OF AUTOMATED DIGITAL MANUFACTURING

BigRep FLOW can replace an existing 3D workflow to save time and money. Users new to 3D printing can instantly create the tools they need and skip the 3D learning curve entirely, from application engineering to printing functional tools. The advantages of BigRep FLOW over a traditional 3D design workflow are clear. BigRep FLOW can create printable tools in minutes rather than days for immediate results and fast design iterations. The intuitive cloud-based interface makes it simple to configure custom tools, and design changes are calculated in real-time with instant visualization. More than just automated design, BigRep FLOW Apps create 3D printable tools that meet benchmarks and qualifications for real-world use. Perhaps best of all, BigRep FLOW lets you maximize the potential of additive manufacturing for your business but requires no experience in 3D printing or CAD software skills.

“We are very excited to launch BigRep FLOW, our Advanced Workflow Automation Software, making it very easy to configure and produce the factory tooling needed on the production floor – faster and cheaper,” says Dr. Sven Thate, Managing Director of BigRep. “With FLOW, we support our manufacturing clients with the customization of their operations to outpace the competition. Our vision is to offer end-to-end solutions for our users. FLOW can be used with a qualified printing service to turn an idea or a need into a printed solution. If speed is even more of the essence, it turns our large-format 3D printers into connected jig and fixture work-stations and more.”

See the new BigRep FLOW online at www.bigrep.com/bigrep-flow and try out a sample app directly on the website.

About BigRep

A global leader in large-format FFF 3D printing, BigRep strives to transform its user’s productivity and creativity with easy-to-use additive manufacturing solutions. With an aim to help companies accelerate innovation and rethink manufacturing, BigRep’s German-engineered 3D printers enable engineers, designers, and manufacturers from start-ups to fortune 100 companies to go from prototyping to production faster, getting their products to market first. Through collaborations with strategic partners – including BASF, Bosch Rexroth, Etihad Airways, and Deutsche Bahn – BigRep continues to develop complete additive manufacturing solutions comprising industrial 3D printers, software, and advanced materials. Founded in 2014, BigRep is headquartered in Berlin with offices and technical centers in Boston, Singapore, and Shanghai.