DMRC at a Glance
The Direct Manufacturing Research Center (DMRC) was founded with a mission to revolutionize production through advanced additive manufacturing technologies.
DMRC Assets
Members have access to state-of-the-art production machinery, advanced analysis equipment, and cutting-edge software tools to support their research and development needs.
A Legacy of Innovation: DMRC History
Tracing the key milestones and achievements that have shaped the DMRC over the years.
2007
Boeing Tender
Tender procedure initiated by the Boeing Company.
2008
Paderborn University Selected
Paderborn University was selected for its expertise across all relevant disciplines, its unique interdisciplinary structure, and funding from the state of NRW, Germany.
2009
First DMRC Projects
The first DMRC projects were commissioned, providing exclusive research results available only to DMRC members.
2011
“Ort des Fortschritts” Award
Award “Ort des Fortschritts” by the Ministry of Science of the state of NRW, Germany.
2012
Major EU & National Projects
Took on scientific responsibility in major public research projects with the European Space Agency, EU programs (FP7, Horizon 2020), “it’s OWL,” and national initiatives funded by BMBF & BMWi.
2013
First AM Doctorates
First Am related doctoral exams.
2014
Teaching Innovation Award
Award “Förderpreis für Innovation und Qualität in der Lehre“ by the Paderborn University.
2015
RepAirAdditive manufacturing for on demand aircraft repair through lightweight parts, health monitoring, process adaptation, and quality assurance.
2016
iBUSDeveloping an internet based model for customizable, on demand production of traditional toys and furniture using AR, design verification, and 3D printing within EU safety and sustainability standards.
2017
DMRC Project: High Temperature Processing of Metallic SLM Powders
Residual stresses and shrinkage in selective laser melting are reduced by a heated build platform, enabling processability through microstructural changes.
2018
ProDruckEmpowering people with disabilities to use 3D printing for customized everyday aids, supported by self help concepts, online training, new business models, and nationwide idea transfer platforms.
2019
Qualification of PEEK for the FFF-process
Investigation of various high-performance thermoplastics for FFF by producing monofilaments from granules, testing and optimizing their processability on an open-parameter system, and qualifying the materials using the in-house method developed at the DMRC.
2020
PolyLineAdvancing polymer based laser sintering into an automated, efficient production process, enabling integration into high throughput manufacturing lines and flexible on site production for automotive series components.
2021
DMRC project LC-ProMo
Development of the first retrofittable, low cost, automated monitoring system for the EOS P3 polymer laser sintering platform to detect powder spreading errors, recoater fill levels, and alert operators, ensuring reliability for serial production.
2022
MADE-3D
Consortium Partner in the €6.7 million project MADE-3D: Multi-Material Components from a 3D Printer.
2023
DigiZug3DConsortium partner in the DigiZug3D project to digitalize and standardize approval processes for 3D-printed railway parts, paving the way for cross-industry adoption.
2025
DMRC e.V. Founded
Founding of the Direct Manufacturing Research Center Association (DMRC e.V.).
2007
Boeing Tender
Tender procedure initiated by the Boeing Company.
2008
Paderborn University Selected
Paderborn University was selected for its expertise across all relevant disciplines, its unique interdisciplinary structure, and funding from the state of NRW, Germany.
2009
First DMRC Projects
The first DMRC projects were commissioned, providing exclusive research results available only to DMRC members.
2011
“Ort des Fortschritts” Award
Award “Ort des Fortschritts” by the Ministry of Science of the state of NRW, Germany.
2012
Major EU & National Projects
Took on scientific responsibility in major public research projects with the European Space Agency, EU programs (FP7, Horizon 2020), “it’s OWL,” and national initiatives funded by BMBF & BMWi.
2013
First AM Doctorates
First Am related doctoral exams.
2014
Teaching Innovation Award
Award “Förderpreis für Innovation und Qualität in der Lehre“ by the Paderborn University.
2015
RepAirAdditive manufacturing for on demand aircraft repair through lightweight parts, health monitoring, process adaptation, and quality assurance.
2016
iBUSDeveloping an internet based model for customizable, on demand production of traditional toys and furniture using AR, design verification, and 3D printing within EU safety and sustainability standards.
2017
DMRC Project: High Temperature Processing of Metallic SLM Powders
Residual stresses and shrinkage in selective laser melting are reduced by a heated build platform, enabling processability through microstructural changes.
2018
ProDruckEmpowering people with disabilities to use 3D printing for customized everyday aids, supported by self help concepts, online training, new business models, and nationwide idea transfer platforms.
2019
Qualification of PEEK for the FFF-process
Investigation of various high-performance thermoplastics for FFF by producing monofilaments from granules, testing and optimizing their processability on an open-parameter system, and qualifying the materials using the in-house method developed at the DMRC.
2020
PolyLineAdvancing polymer based laser sintering into an automated, efficient production process, enabling integration into high throughput manufacturing lines and flexible on site production for automotive series components.
2021
DMRC project LC-ProMo
Development of the first retrofittable, low cost, automated monitoring system for the EOS P3 polymer laser sintering platform to detect powder spreading errors, recoater fill levels, and alert operators, ensuring reliability for serial production.
2022
MADE-3D
Consortium Partner in the €6.7 million project MADE-3D: Multi-Material Components from a 3D Printer.
2023
DigiZug3DConsortium partner in the DigiZug3D project to digitalize and standardize approval processes for 3D-printed railway parts, paving the way for cross-industry adoption.
2025
DMRC e.V. Founded
Founding of the Direct Manufacturing Research Center Association (DMRC e.V.).
Voices of Our Partners
Hear what industry leaders and research institutions say about their collaboration with DMRC.
Nikon SLM Solutions AG
Metal 3D printing
"In 2009, we opened the DMRC in Paderborn, dedicated entirely to 3D printing—also known in professional circles as additive manufacturing. At Nikon SLM Solutions, and especially myself, we are convinced that additive manufacturing offers unparalleled capabilities in producing complex, customized, and lightweight components that would be impossible to achieve with traditional methods. The DMRC provides us with a platform to address emerging questions around 3D printing quickly and efficiently, together with other industry members and in collaboration with the University of Paderborn, which has continuously expanded the number of machines required for 3D printing since the DMRC was founded."
Dr. Dieter Schwarze
Chief Engineer
Siemens AG
Industrial Automation
"The successful collaboration between the DMRC and Siemens, a member from the beginning, was one of the keystones for our basic development of additive manufacturing, exemplified by one of the first projects on design rules leading to a design catalogue that provides essential guidelines. This foundational work, combined with qualified material testing and innovative process development by the scientific partners of the University of Paderborn, directly supported the industrial implementation of AM e.g. the transfer of high temperature materials into industrial production."
Martin Schäfer
Key Expert Engineer Additive Manufacturing
Krause DiMaTec GmbH
3D Printing
"For more than 10 years, Krause DiMaTec GmbH has been an active member of the DMRC. This strong network of leading research institutions and industry partners provides us with valuable impulses for our technological progress, supports our R&D activities, and enables knowledge transfer at the highest level. Through this collaboration, we are able to turn innovations into practice, continuously enhance our manufacturing technologies, and deliver outstanding product quality and expert consulting to our customers."
Dr. Johannes Tominski
General Manager
Stükerjürgen Aerospace Composites GmbH & Co. KG
Plastics engineering
"For the Stükerjürgen Group, it has always been important to use 3D printing where it is beneficial to our customers. Through our long-standing collaboration with the DMRC, we have built up internal knowledge on how to correctly design and fully qualify 3D-printed components. As a result, we are now able to supply a wide range of fully qualified 3D-printed components to aircraft manufacturers and their suppliers worldwide. The DMRC has made a significant contribution to this achievement."
Markus Oeding
Sales Management
Join these industry leaders in advancing the future of manufacturing through collaboration with DMRC.
Become a memberAcademic Partners of the DMRC
Our research excellence is driven by professors and research groups from Paderborn University that work hand in hand with industry leading companies to improve Additive Manufacturing.
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