FH Aachen - GoetheLab for Additive Manufacturing

What FH Aachen - GoetheLab for Additive Manufacturing does

FH Aachen - GoetheLab for Additive Manufacturing is a publicly funded university research laboratory embedded in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics at FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences in Aachen, Germany. Founded in 2010 and operational in its current form since 2014, the lab is led by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sebastian Bremen and operates with a team of 7 researchers supported by 7 student assistants. GoetheLab conducts applied research across the full additive manufacturing process chain — design, data preparation, polymer and metal printing, and post-processing — serving as a bridge between fundamental research and industrial implementation for SMEs in North Rhine-Westphalia and beyond.

The lab's technology portfolio spans the breadth of industrial AM, anchored by distinctive assets including the world's largest metal Laser Powder Bed Fusion system (X Line 2000 R, 160L build volume, dual 1000W lasers), a Yaskawa robot-arm-based Large-Format AM (LFAM) cell with custom granulate extruder, a 5-axis Open5x FDM printer with Python-scripted non-planar path planning, a robotic laser polishing station co-developed with Fraunhofer ILT, and a PEEK high-temperature FFF system. Proprietary process innovations include hybrid LPBF+FDM metal-plastic joining (up to 5 MPa shear strength via lattice-surface interlock) and the RePolAM recycled-polymer process chain achieving near-100% material utilization. Research output includes 30+ peer-reviewed publications in journals such as Polymers (CiteScore 6) and MDPI Metals.

GoetheLab monetizes through three primary streams: public research grants (BMBF WIR! Bündnis LASER.region.AACHEN, PersoLas, PolyPro3D, BMWK/FOM, REACT-EU), contract research and pilot manufacturing for SMEs (subsidized 60–80% via NRW's MID voucher program up to €40,000 per project), and customized training seminars delivered jointly with IwF GmbH. Distribution is built on a layered ecosystem of regional and consortium partnerships — co-founder of the Aachen Center for 3D-Druck with Fraunhofer ILT, core member of LASER.region.AACHEN (~40 partners), academic links to RWTH Aachen and TUC Cluj-Napoca, and reseller channels via the Gründungszentrum FH Aachen, IHK Aachen, and Kolping Bildung Deutschland. The lab is recognized through its presentation of the Big5Award for Additive Manufacturing at Rapid.Tech 3D and co-publishes the RTe Journal. As a department of a public university, GoetheLab has no independent commercial ownership and operates under state governance.

Name

FH Aachen - GoetheLab for Additive Manufacturing

Legal name

Fachhochschule Aachen

Website

https://goethelab.fh-aachen.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GoetheLab is a publicly funded AM research laboratory at FH Aachen (Germany), led by Prof. Bremen, that delivers applied polymer and metal additive manufacturing research, contract services for NRW SMEs via MID vouchers, and AM training for industry and students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Additive Manufacturing Research and Consulting

NAICS

Engineering Services (541330)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Additive Manufacturing Research & Innovation Labs (IMAAAJAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Technical Committees, Working Groups & Expert Panels (BPADANAB)

Keywords

• Additive manufacturing research
• Metal 3D printing
• Polymer additive manufacturing
• Laser powder bed fusion
• Industrial AM consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Aachen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public Research Funding: Primary funding from government grants including BMBF-funded projects (LASER.region.AACHEN, PersoLas), MWIDE NRW programs (MID vouchers), REACT-EU, and BMWK/FOM funding. These grants support applied research projects and infrastructure.
2. Training and Education Services: Revenue from customized seminars and training programs offered in partnership with IwF GmbH, including introductory seminars on additive manufacturing, LPBF operations, DfAM, and safety training. Also seminars for aspiring entrepreneurs via FH Aachen's Gründungszentrum.
3. Contract Research and Pilot Manufacturing: Fee-for-service contract research, feasibility studies, pilot part production, and consulting for SMEs and industrial partners, supported by the MID voucher subsidy program (up to 80% funding for SMEs).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

GoetheLab is an applied research institute within FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences that conducts contract research, feasibility studies, pilot manufacturing, and consulting on additive manufacturing processes for industrial partners, particularly SMEs. It operates across the full AM process chain — design, data preparation, manufacturing (polymers and metals via LPBF, FDM, SLS, LFAM), and post-processing (laser polishing) — supported by government grants and the MID voucher program subsidizing up to 80% of project costs for North Rhine-Westphalia SMEs.

Product overview

GoetheLab for Additive Manufacturing is a university research laboratory at FH Aachen that offers a portfolio of additive manufacturing services organized around three core pillars: applied research, industrial consulting, and education/training. The laboratory provides metal manufacturing via Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) and plastic manufacturing via FDM, FFF, and SLS technologies. It operates various industrial-grade equipment including the X Line 2000 R (world's largest metal laser system), BambuLab systems, and Prusa printers. Beyond manufacturing services, the lab offers the MID-Förderprogramm funding vouchers for SME innovation projects, professional training seminars, and publishes the RTe Journal for rapid technology research. The institution focuses on High Performance Polymers (PEEK), lightweight structures, and large-format additive manufacturing using robotic systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Additive Manufacturing Research Services Applied research and development services in additive manufacturing covering the physical and digital process chain from design to finished parts for plastics and metals, including LPBF, FDM/FFF, SLS, LFAM, and laser polishing, delivered to industrial partners and SMEs.
• Industrial Application Consulting Consulting services for SMEs to integrate additive manufacturing into existing process chains, including AM-appropriate product and process development, feasibility studies, and pilot part production.
• Education and Training Programs University-level teaching and professional training courses covering additive manufacturing technologies, CAD design, and process optimization, delivered jointly with IwF GmbH.

Quantifiable outcome

• Thermal conductivity measurement reproducibility >99.7% using custom heat-flow-meter setup for LPBF 316L samples
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Institut für werkzeuglose Fertigung GmbH (IwF GmbH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014IwF GmbH is an An-Institut (affiliated institute) of FH Aachen since late 2014 and a close cooperation partner of GoetheLab. The partnership enables joint seminars and training in additive manufacturing and covers the complete breadth of AM processes. IwF also serves as a channel for distributing GoetheLab's training offerings.
• Fraunhofer Institut für Lasertechnik (ILT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014The Aachen Center for 3D-Druck was founded in early 2014 as a joint project between Fraunhofer ILT and FH Aachen. The cooperation aims to give SMEs access to the full process chain of additive manufacturing. Fraunhofer ILT also collaborates with GoetheLab on specific research projects such as PolyPro3D (laser polishing) and Ecogenium.
• LASER.region.AACHEN (WIR! Bündnis)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLASER.region.AACHEN is a BMBF-funded WIR! Bündnis (~40 partners) aimed at establishing the Aachen region as a global leader in laser-based production technologies. GoetheLab serves as the research partner within the consortium. Projects include LrA-KoLA (combined laser processes), PersoLas (laser workforce development), and LrA strategy development. Led jointly by FH Aachen and RWTH Aachen.
• RWTH Aachen (Fachbereich Luft- und Raumfahrttechnik / Prof. Czupalla)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the ITS (Infused Thermal Solutions) project investigating latent heat storage integration with additive manufacturing for satellite thermal control components.
• DAP RWTH AachenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on the AdditivReality project, developing VR learning environments for AM machine operation. DAP contributed VR tool evaluation, platform development (CoSpaces EDU), and integration with Ilias LMS.
• Fraunhofer ILT (PolyPro3D)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint project PolyPro3D (BMWK/FOM funded, 2023–2025) developing a process chain combining SLS/FDM with robotic laser polishing for polymer parts, led by Lukas Hedwig (FH Aachen) and Emrah Uluz (Fraunhofer ILT).
• TUC – Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation with Prof. Balc's group at TUC Cluj-Napoca for joint PhD supervision (Karim Abbas, Fabian Eichler) and co-authored publications in Polymers and ACTA Technica Napocensis.
• Mascor Institut (FH Aachen)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on LFAM (Large-Format Additive Manufacturing) project, jointly developing the Yaskawa robot arm + granular extruder system architecture and custom control software.
• Kolping Bildung DeutschlandminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner in the PersoLas project (LASER.region.AACHEN) contributing to workforce qualification and training program development for laser technology careers.
• Industrie- und Handelskammer (IHK) AachenminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner in the PersoLas project contributing to industry engagement, certification frameworks, and continuing education for laser technology specialists in the Aachen region.
• LMI – LMI GmbHminorOthersListed as a partner organization on GoetheLab's partnerships page.
• toolcraft AGminorOthersAward recipient for Big5Award 2023 for contributions to metal 3D printing. Presented by GoetheLab and IwF at Rapid.Tech 3D.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• NIST AM-Bench / NIST Manufacturing: U.S. federal agency running benchmark programs for additive manufacturing measurement and qualification. Comparable as a public-sector research body setting AM measurement standards and reference data, though at a much broader scale.
• CSIRO Manufacturing: Australian national science agency with an additive manufacturing research program. Comparable as a publicly funded research organization conducting AM process R&D, training, and industrial partnerships, though with a broader manufacturing scope.

Direct peers

• Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC): UK applied research organization offering AM process development, training, and SME services. Comparable mission and funding model (public + industry) to GoetheLab, with a broader manufacturing technology portfolio.
• Inspire AG: Swiss research and technology-transfer organization for manufacturing. Comparable as a publicly co-funded bridge between academic research and industrial AM adoption, with applied research and SME-facing services.
• ACAM (Aachen Center for Additive Manufacturing): RWTH Aachen Campus-based AM research center. GoetheLab is a listed partner within the same Aachen AM ecosystem, pursuing directly complementary applied research, technology transfer, and industry collaboration.
• Fraunhofer ILT: Aachen-based Fraunhofer institute for laser technology and a direct cooperation partner of GoetheLab since 2014. Comparable in laser-based AM applied research, joint SMEs programs, and consortium leadership.
• Penn State CIMP-3D: Pennsylvania State University's research center for additive manufacturing. Comparable as a university-led AM research hub publishing extensively, training students, and partnering with industry across the full process chain.
• University of Sheffield AMRC: UK applied manufacturing research center with strong AM capabilities. Comparable as a publicly co-funded applied research institute running industrial pilots, training, and consortium projects for manufacturing SMEs and large OEMs.
• WZL of RWTH Aachen: Chair of Production Engineering at RWTH Aachen. Comparable as a region-leading university production-engineering institute that runs large-scale funded research consortia and serves industrial clients across manufacturing process chains.
• Fraunhofer IAPT: Hamburg-based Fraunhofer institute for additive manufacturing and production technologies. Comparable to GoetheLab as a German applied research institute performing AM process chain R&D, pilots, and SME technology transfer with government funding.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/goethelab-for-additive-manufacturing

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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