Introduction to 3D Printing - What can the technology do
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Get impartial advice and access to Denmark’s leading facilities in industrial 3D printing in metal and plastic.
3D printing - also called additive manufacturing - is a manufacturing technology where physical components are built layer by layer directly from a digital 3D model. The technology offers unprecedented opportunities for design freedom, weight reduction, rapid prototype development, and on-demand production with minimal material waste. Danish Technological Institute helps manufacturing companies uncover the technical and business potential, optimize part design, and manufacture everything from single prototypes to advanced series.
How can Danish Technological Institute help you?
Danish Technological Institute is home to Denmark's only center for industrial 3D printing. We support the entire value chain from idea to finished part:
- Technology screening and business assessment: Assessing whether 3D printing is technically and economically viable in your value chain compared to traditional manufacturing methods.
- Design optimization (DfAM): Optimizing parts for additive manufacturing, including topology optimization and weight reduction.
- Production of prototypes and test parts: Rapid manufacturing of functional prototypes for mechanical testing and validation.
- Series production and component manufacturing: Printing of industrial components and small-batch series in both metal and plastic.
- Post-processing and quality assurance: Post-machining, heat treatment, inspection measurement, and verification of mechanical properties.
- Courses and competence development: Tailored training programs for technicians, developers, and management. See our many articles about 3D printing
What is 3D printing - and why does it create value?
Traditional manufacturing methods are primarily based on subtractive machining such as milling and turning, where material is removed, or casting, which requires expensive molds. In 3D printing, by contrast, material is added exclusively where the geometry requires it.
Here is what sets 3D printing apart from traditional production:
- Full geometric freedom: Manufacture internal cooling channels, lattice structures, and complex geometries that are impossible to mill or cast.
- No tooling costs: Design changes are made digitally without the need for new molds or retooling of production equipment.
- Production on-demand: Print spare parts and custom components as needed, close to the end user, minimizing tied-up capital in inventory and the risk of overproduction.
- Less material waste: Because the part is built from scratch, raw material consumption is significantly reduced - especially with advanced metal alloys.
According to Statistics Denmark, approximately one in four Danish manufacturing companies uses 3D printing, but often limited to early-stage prototypes. The greatest untapped potential lies in fully functional components in metal and advanced polymers, where strength, weight, and durability are critical factors.
From idea to finished component: How a collaboration works
When you collaborate with Danish Technological Institute, you gain access to a coherent process that ensures high quality and traceability:
- Clarification and needs analysis: We review your requirements regarding geometry, mechanical properties, tolerance specifications, and business potential.
- Design and file preparation: Your CAD models are reviewed and optimized for the printing process to ensure optimal orientation, build speed, and material consumption.
- Manufacturing in our laboratories: The parts are printed on professional industrial equipment under controlled process conditions.
- Post-processing and inspection: We manage the necessary heat treatment, surface finishing, removal of support structures, and dimensional inspection.
- Reporting and handover: You receive the finished parts along with documentation of material data and quality.
Documented experience and advanced laboratories
Danish Technological Institute has more than 35 years of experience with industrial 3D printing. In our advanced laboratories in Aarhus, we work with industrial production printers for both metal and plastic printing. Our impartial position means that we are not tied to specific machine manufacturers or material suppliers. We advise exclusively on what provides the greatest technical and business value for your company.
Contact us to learn about the possibilities
Is your company considering making the leap to industrial 3D printing, or do you have a specific component that needs to be optimized and produced?
Contact the 3D printing specialists at Danish Technological Institute for expert advice and an assessment of your technical possibilities.
Frequently asked questions about 3D printing